Vanuatu is a South Pacific archipelago of over 80 islands, located east of Australia. The country’s CBI programme, originally launched as the Development Support Program (DSP), has become one of the fastest-growing in the world and is the most procedurally efficient programme in the 2026 Index, with processing times of just 2–3 months. Vanuatu operates a completely zero-tax regime — no income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax, or inheritance tax — making it the top-ranked programme on the Tax Optimisation Index alongside Nauru. The economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and CBI revenues, which have become a significant contributor to national income. Vanuatu is a member of the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum, and its passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 96 countries and territories, including Schengen Area states.
Last Updated: May 27, 2026
2026 Global Citizenship Programs Report: Vanuatu
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Introduction
Rankings Snapshot
Index | Ranking | Score |
|---|---|---|
Overall Ranking
| 13th | 71.18 |
Procedure
| 1st | 93.70 |
Mobility
| 11th | 66.55 |
Tax Optimization
| 2nd | 100.00 |
Quality of Life
| 9th | 64.95 |
Investment
| 12th | 70.38 |
Credibility
| 13th | 65.60 |
Compliance
| 14th | 62.00 |
Country Information at a Glance
Continent: Oceania
Population (2025 est.): 320,000
GDP Nominal (USD, 2025): USD 1.1 B
GDP per Capita (USD, 2025): USD 3,300
Program Type: Structured CBI
Economic/Mobility Blocs: Pacific Islands Forum, Melanesian Spearhead Group, UN, Commonwealth
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Legal Provision
| CIIP, Chapter 112 of the Vanuatu Citizenship Act |
Region
| Oceania |
Minimum Investment Threshold
| $130,000 |
Year of Inception
| 2023 |
Visa-free Countries
| 96 |
Investment Options
| DSP contribution, government bonds, or shares |
Physical Presence Requirements
| None |
Family Member Inclusion
| Spouse, dependent children, and parents |
Dual Citizenship Allowed
| Yes |
Average Processing Time
| 2–3 months |
Total Costs (MIT + Fees)
| $ 140,00+ |
Language Requirements
| No |
Tax System / Tax Rates
| Zero tax / CT:0%, PIT:0%, CGT:0%, WT:0%, IGT:0%, ET: 0% |
Conclusion
Footnotes
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