Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe are three countries that offer the cost-effective and short timelines to obtain citizenship and a second passport through investment. Vanuatu is the most established of the three, offering a proven program, starting at $130,000. São Tomé and Príncipe offers the lowest entry point, starting at $90,000, and Nauru’s program starts at $115,000, with a key benefit being discretion and minimal publicity.
All three citizenship programs deliver affordability and fast processing speeds, with access to strategic destinations, and the option to include family members. However, the right program depends on your priorities, including whether you prefer to obtain an alternative passport quickly, minimize citizenship costs, access future growth potential, or travel to specific destinations.
This comparison guide breaks down the key differences between São Tomé and Príncipe’s, Nauru’s, and Vanuatu’s citizenship programs, the total citizenship cost, eligible dependents, citizenship timelines, and pros and cons.
Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Comparison: Key Takeaways
Nauru vs Vanuatu vs São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship at a Glance
| Feature | Nauru | Vanuatu | São Tomé and Príncipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Launch Date | November 2024 | 2017 | August 2025 |
| Minimum Investment | $115,000 ($90,000 until 30 June 2026) | $130,000 | $90,000 |
| Investment Options | Donation | Donation + real estate | Donation |
| Processing Time | 3-5 months | 2-4 months | 1-3 months |
| Visa Free Countries | 100+ | 100+ | 60+ |
| Family Eligibility | Spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings | Spouse, children, parents, grandparents | Spouse, children, parents, grandparents |
Nauru Citizenship by Investment: Most Discreet and Balanced
Nauru entered the citizenship by investment space in November 2024. As one of the world’s smallest island nations, facing climate resilience challenges, the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program aims to generate funds to improve national climate resilience and economic development.
Investors can obtain approval for Nauru Citizenship by Investment and an alternative passport within three to five months by making a non-refundable contribution of $115,000 to the Nauru Treasury Fund. Spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings qualify as dependents. An Authorized Agent or Nauru citizenship lawyer must be used to apply.
Eligible dependents
- Spouse
- Children, regardless of age
- Parents and grandparents, regardless of age
- Siblings, regardless of age
Cost
The primary investment is a single donation of $115,000 for a single applicant. Each dependent over 16 requires an additional donation of $2,000. An additional donation of $15,000 is needed for siblings ($17,000 if over 16).
A $5,000 application fee applies to single applicants, with an additional $2,000 required per dependent. The due diligence fee is $6,000 for the main applicant and $3,000 per dependent over 16. The passport fee is $500 per passport, and applicants are charged a $1,200 wire transfer fee ($1,700 for a family of four).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Discreet application process with the highest level of confidentiality.
- Joint cheapest program, currently at $90,000 for single applicants until 30 June 2026.
- No eligible dependent age restrictions.
- Only the Nauru passport offers visa free access to the UAE.
Cons:
- Smaller diplomatic network than Vanuatu and São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Only offers a donation option.
- Long-term program stability is uncertain due to rising climate challenges.
- Isolated microstate, with a small population, limiting investment opportunities.
- Longest citizenship timeline.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment: Most Established
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment was introduced in 2017 to generate revenue for economic development, national debt reduction, and to finance post-disaster relief efforts. It was the first citizenship program to be launched in Oceania and later became a viable alternative in a Caribbean citizenship by investment comparison.
Investors can obtain approval for citizenship and a Vanuatu passport within two to four months through a non-refundable or partially refundable contribution or a real estate investment. The minimum investment threshold is $130,000, and applicants can include their spouses, children, parents, and grandparents. An Authorized Agent or Vanuatu citizenship lawyer must be used to apply.
Eligible dependents
- Spouse
- Children under 18
- Children under 25 and in full-time education
- Parents and grandparents over 50
Cost
The minimum investment amount depends on the investment: The Development Support Program (DSP) requires a $130,000; the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) requires a $165,000 donation (with $50,000 redeemable after five years) and Vanuatu real estate requires a property investment valued at least $200,000. The CIIP and real estate minimum thresholds apply to a single applicant or family of up to four.
Additional investment is needed to include dependents when donating to the DSP. While the CIIP has a higher upfront cost, its partial refund brings the investment down to $115,000 for up to four applicants.
A nominal application fee of $40 applies per applicant ($250 for the CIIP option). The due diligence fee is $5,000 for a single applicant and applications including family members. The combined citizenship certificate and passport fee is $280 per applicant.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Most established and tested program.
- Offers the best access for Asia-Pacific investment.
- Only program with partially refundable and recoupable investment options.
- The only zero personal income tax country.
Cons:
- Most costly program of the three, while also being much more costly when adding family members.
- Financial requirements include a bank balance equivalent to at least $250,000.
São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment: Most Affordable
The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program is the newest addition to the direct citizenship industry. Located in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Africa, it was the second citizenship program established on the continent. The program aims to improve economic diversification and national development, and attract foreign capital to the infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism sectors.
Investors can gain approval for citizenship and a São Tomé and Príncipe passport in as little as one to three months through a non-refundable contribution of $90,000. Applicants can include their spouses, children, parents, and grandparents, and the application must be submitted by a São Tomé and Príncipe immigration agency or lawyer authorized by the government.
Eligible dependents
- Spouse or de facto partner
- Children under 30
- Parents and grandparents over 55
Cost
The primary investment is a single donation of $90,000 for a single applicant and $95,000 for up to four applicants. A single applicant or a family of up to four requires a $5,000 application fee. The combined citizenship certificate and passport fee is $750 per applicant.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Most affordable second passport.
- Fastest citizenship timeline, averaging one to three months.
- Potential EU access through the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) agreement.
- New program and emerging economy with early investment opportunities.
Cons:
- Limited global recognition, with program structure still in the development phase.
- Only offers a donation option.
- Weakest passport with the fewest visa free countries.
- Limited options for approved agents.
Cost Comparison Table
In addition to the required investment, applicants must pay a set of fees to complete the citizenship process, including due diligence, application, and passport fees. Transfer and courier fees may apply, depending on the program. The tables below break down the cost for a single applicant and a family of four (one child over 16 and one under).
Single applicant
| Cost | Nauru | Vanuatu | São Tomé and Príncipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | $115,000 | $130,000 | $90,000 |
| Application Fee | $5,000 | $40 | $5,000 |
| Due Diligence Fee | $6,000 | $5,500 | – |
| Citizenship Certificate/Passport Fee | $500 | $280 | $750 |
| Other Fees | $1,200 | – | – |
| Total | $127,700 | $135,820 | $95,750 |
Nauru’s limited time discount of $25,000 reduces the total citizenship cost for single applicants to $102,700.
Family of four
| Cost | Nauru | Vanuatu | São Tomé and Príncipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | $119,000 | $165,000 | $95,000 |
| Application Fee | $11,000 | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Due Diligence Fee | $12,000 | $5,500 | – |
| Citizenship Certificate/Passport Fee | $2,000 | $1,120 | $3,000 |
| Other Fees | $1,700 | – | – |
| Total | $145,700 | $172,620 | $103,000 |
The cheapest investment for a family applying for Vanuatu citizenship is the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), with successful applicants eligible for a $50,000 refund after four years. This reduces the total investment requirement to $122,620 for a family of four. Nauru’s limited-time discount of $25,000 reduces the total citizenship cost for families with a child over 16 and one under 16 to $120,700.
Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe Passport Power Comparison
The Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index for 2025 does not rank the Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe passports among the highest, but all three are valuable options for strategic international travel and increased personal protection.
| Feature | Nauru | Vanuatu | São Tomé and Príncipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Free Countries | 100+ | 100+ | 60+ |
| GPI Rank | 97th | 111th | 139th |
| Visa Free Travel Benefits | Visa free access to the UAE, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and African and Latin American countries | Visa free access to Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and African and Latin American countries | Visa free access to Singapore, Hong Kong, Ghana, and African and Caribbean countries |
Which program should you choose?
Choose Nauru if:
- You prefer a higher level of discretion when going through the application process
- You want to obtain citizenship for adult family members
- You’re seeking the best balance between cost and a respected second passport
Choose Vanuatu if:
- You prefer a fast and established program with more authorized agents and a higher volume of client feedback
- You want the strongest access across the Asia-Pacific region
- You want to obtain citizenship a jurisdiction that imposes zero taxes
Choose São Tomé and Príncipe if:
- You prefer the fastest option to receive a second passport
- You want to capitalize on the long-term potential of being an early-stage investor
- You want the most affordable second passport
- You want to explore the potential for accessing the EU through the CPLP relationship between São Tomé and Príncipe and Portugal
