Given Nauru’s status as a small and somewhat discreet nation, there are a few things to understand about the Republic of Nauru immigration policy. Unlike other Oceanic nations like Australia, New Zealand, and Nauru, clear guidelines for securing long-term residence are not as widely published.
Nevertheless, the island nation offers a citizenship by investment program as part of its broader strategy for climate resilience and economic diversification, providing straightforward path for foreign nationals to relocate there.
Who needs a visa to immigrate to Nauru?
Almost all non-Nauru citizens require a visa to live in Nauru or visit the country as tourists. Nauru operates one of the most restrictive immigration policies among South Pacific nations. UK, US, Canadian, and Australia citizens must apply for a visa with the Nauru Immigration Department through the Immigration Division of the Department of Justice and Border Control.
Nauru Visa Categories
Citizenship by Investment
The most straightforward option to immigrate to Nauru is obtaining Nauru Citizenship by Investment. The program allows foreign nationals to acquire Nauru citizenship and a second passport by making a non-refundable contribution to the Nauru Treasury Fund. Applicants can add family members to their application, including a spouse, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.
Business Visa
Foreign investors can apply for a Nauru Business Visa by establishing a qualified business on the island. Applicants must secure sponsorship from a registered company or government entity, after which they are issued a business license under the Business Licenses Regulations 2018. The Business Visa has two types of validity:
- 3-months single entry
- 12-month multiple entry validity
It is renewable provided the business continues to meet the visa requirements. Some businesses such as those related to media are only valid for up to three months.
Local Business (Employment) Visa
The Local Business (Employment) Visa is a work visa that allows foreign nationals with skills that fill employment gaps to apply for employment with a local business in Nauru. If employment visa holders continue to meet the visa requirements, they can extend the permit indefinitely.
Visitor Visa
Nauru requires most foreigners to apply for a Visitor Visa before traveling to the country for tourism. The visa is valid for up to one, two, or three months, and must be obtained before arrival. The process is handled through Nauru’s Immigration Department.
Special Purpose Visa
Nauru’s Special Purpose Visa isn’t meant for immigration but rather permission for non-citizens to enter mainland Nauru for non-tourist activities such as journalism, research, or religious missions. The visa validity granted is at the discretion of the Nauru Immigration Division and varies depending on the purpose and type of activity.
Dependant Visa
Nauru immigration law allows a spouse, children under 18, and other family who are fully dependent and supported by a lawful Nauru resident to reunite with them through family reunification by obtaining a Dependent Visa.
Residence Visa
The Residence Visa is similar Dependent Visa but specifically applies to dependents of Nauru citizens rather than foreign nationals with long-term visas. Like the Dependent Visa, a spouse, children under 18, and other family members who are fully dependent and supported by a Nauru citizen can apply for a Residence Visa. Nauru Citizenship by Investment for Canadians and other foreign nationals allows applicants to apply for citizenship for qualifying family members, bypassing the requirement to apply for a Residence Visa.
Regional Processing Centre Visa
The Regional Processing Centre Visa is a special visa category first introduced in 2001 based on an agreement between the Nauru and Australian government. The visa was introduced for the offshore processing of applications of asylum seekers in Nauru instead of in Australia.
In June 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese repatriated the last refugees held on Nauru to fulfill a key election promise to end what many had considered offshore detention. This decision followed a 2023 High Court ruling that deemed the indefinite detention of non-citizens without prospects of resettlement unlawful and against International Refugee Law.
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Nauru Immigration Requirements
According to Nauru’s immigration policy, you must submit a Nauru visa application form to the Immigration Division when applying for residency. The total required documentation depend on the visa, but usually include:
- Passport-size photographs
- A valid passport
- Criminal record certificate
- Birth certificate
- Business invitation letter (Business Visa)
- Employment contract (Employment Visa)
- Proof of long-term residence (Dependent Visa)
- Citizenship certificate or Nauru passport (Residence Visa)
Immigration requirements through citizenship by investment
The application requirements through the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program (ECRCP) are more extensive, as successful applicants gain second citizenship and a Nauru passport. Investors must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have an outstanding character
- Be in good health
- Hold a clean criminal record
- Pass a detailed background check
- Make the requirement donation
Prospective applicants my apply through a licensed agency or a Nauru Citizenship by Investment lawyer. The process includes a mandatory citizenship interview and biometrics submission. The required investment is a $105,000 non-refundable donation to the Nauru Treasury Fund.
How much are the Nauru immigration application fees?
| Class of Visa | Application Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | $200 to $8,000 multiple entry up to 12 months | $100 to $8,000 single entry up to 3 months | |
| Employment Visa | $300 single applicant | $400 main applicant, spouse, and children | |
| Visitor Visa | $50 single entry up to one month | $100 single entry up to one month | $250 single entry up to three months |
| Dependent Visa | $1,000 | ||
| Residence Visa | No fee | ||
| Special Purpose Visa | 100 to $200 multiple entry | $50 to $100 single entry | |
| Citizenship by Investment | $25,000 single applicant | $27,500 main applicant and up to three dependents | |
Taxes Considerations when Immigrating to Nauru
The Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Index produced by Global Citizen solutions highlights tax optimization as a key consideration for those moving abroad. Nauru ranked number three, as citizens and residents pay no Nauru taxes on wealth, inheritance, or capital gains.
Still, the country’s tax system imposes income taxes. Employees of Nauru-based companies and residents carrying out self-employed work in Nauru must pay income tax, which is imposed at a rate of 20 percent on income above $9,241.
Why use Global Citizen Solutions?
Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.
So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship?
- Global approach by local experts: We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
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- An all-encompassing solution: A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
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