The Vanuatu passport is a travel document providing Vanuatu citizens with access to 95 out of 198 countries and territories without a regular visa. Along with the relatively high mobility score, the requirements to get a Vanuatu passport through the country’s citizenship by investment program are relatively straightforward.
This guide provides everything you should know about Vanuatu passports, including the power of a Vanuatu passport and visa free countries, investment requirements of the citizenship program, and renewing an expired passport.
- Vanuatu passport overview
- Benefits of a Vanuatu passport
- Vanuatu passport program
- Vanuatu passport requirements
- Applying to get a Vanuatu passport
- Renewing or replacing a Vanuatu passport
The Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services issues a Republic of Vanuatu passport to Vanuatuans for international travel. It is a valid proof of citizenship in the country.
An ordinary Vanuatu passport has a green cover with the country’s coat of arms and the words “Republic of Vanuatu” and “Passport” written in English and French, the country’s official languages.
Becoming a naturalized citizen of Vanuatu requires living in the country for at least ten years, after which you qualify for a Vanuatu passport. The fastest way to get a Vanuatu passport is by contributing $130,000 to the country’s development fund through the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program.
The Vanuatu government began issuing biometric passports (ePassports) in August 2024. These passports feature an RFID chip compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Understanding the Vanuatu Work Visa Requirements is essential for a smooth application process.
Vanuatu passport ranking
The Vanuatu passport ranks 112th on the Global Passport Index (GPI).
- Overall GPI ranking: 112th
- Enhanced Mobility Index: 110th
- Investment Index: 101st
- Quality of Life Index: 85th
As of 2025, Vanuatuan passport holders have visa free and visa on arrival access to 95 countries. The passport ranks among the most powerful in the South Pacific region.
Understanding Vanuatu taxes is essential for investors seeking citizenship benefits.
Education and school fees
Passport statistics
Who qualifies for a passport?
Individuals who qualify for Vanuatu passports are persons born in Vanuatu, persons married to a Vanuatu citizen, persons who have lived in Vanuatu for at least ten years, or persons who invest in the Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP) or an alternative investment option to obtain citizenship by investment.
Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, and the citizenship program does not require residency or language tests to qualify for a second passport.
Passport validity
An adult’s Vanuatu is valid for ten years and a child’s Vanuatu passport is valid for five years.
Five ways to get a Vanuatu passport
Birth: Children born in Vanuatu gain citizenship at birth if their parents are stateless or their whereabouts are unknown.
Descent: Persons born to at least one Vanuatu citizen parent or grandparent qualify for citizenship by descent. The parent or grandparent must have held citizenship at the time of their birth.
Naturalization: A foreign national who has lived in Vanuatu for at least ten years qualifies for citizenship by naturalization. They must also be of good character, speak English, French, or Bislama, and prove knowledge of Vanuatu’s history, culture, and politics.
Marriage: The foreign spouse of a Vanuatu citizen qualifies for Vanuatu citizenship after two years of marriage.
Investment: Investors of the Vanuatu citizenship program obtain Vanuatu citizenship by investing at least $130,000 in the Vanuatu government fund. Applicants must be over 18, have a clean criminal record, and have the means to make the required investment.
The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program is an economic citizenship program that allows investors and their families to obtain a Vanuatu second passport. The minimum investment is $130,000.
- Be over 18 and under 65 years old
- Hold a clean criminal record
- Have the means to invest at least $130,000
- Provide evidence of at least $250,000 in your bank account
There are three investment options for obtain Vanuatu citizenship:
Development Support Program (DSP) contribution: The DSP is a state fund. The main applicant must make a non-refundable contribution of $130,000. The contribution required for a main applicant, spouse, and two children is $180,000.
Real Estate Option Program (REO): Investors can purchase approved Vanuatu real estate valued at least $200,000.
CIIP (Capital Investment Immigration Plan) donation: Investors can donate $165,000 to the CIIP to acquire citizenship. $50,000 from the donation is redeemable after four years.
Visa requirements for Vanuatu citizens
There are 95 Vanuatu passport visa free countries and territories as of July 2025, according to the Global Passport Index. These destinations allow access without a visa, with a visa on arrival, or with an electronic visa.
Strategic countries include the Russia, with which the Vanuatu government signed a visa waiver agree in 2025, as well as Singapore and Hong Kong. The government of New Zealand will began allowing visa free entry to Vanuatuans from 6 July 2025.
To apply for a Vanuatuan passport, you must have gained Vanuatu citizenship by birth, descent, naturalization, or investment. The document requirements include the following:
- Vanuatu passport application (Form A for ordinary citizens and Form B for economic citizens)
- Citizenship certificate
- Confirmation letter from the Vanuatu Citizenship Office
- Two recent passport photos
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) clearance certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- A copy of the Vanuatu birth certificate
- A copy of the marriage certificate (if applicable)
- A letter from an authorized recruiting agent for Labor Mobility (if applicable)
The fees vary based on the applicant’s age, Vanuatu passport type, and the processing speed required
- Complete the official Vanuatu Passport Application Form B for economic citizens. The Vanuatu passport process includes fulfilling a biometric and fingerprinting requirement at the nearest Vanuatu Embassy or Consulate.
- Gather the required documents. This may include an expired passport, citizenship certificate, a letter of consent for minors, or proof of marital status.
- Attach two passport-size photographs. These must be 45mm x 35 mm, no more than six months old, and the back must be signed by the endorser who can attest to the applicant’s likeness and identity.
- Pay passport application fees. The specific Vanuatu passport cost differs for regular and fast-track processing.
- Submit the completed application to the Department of Immigration and Passport Services, an embassy, or a high commission abroad.
Amendments to biometric protocols
The Government of Vanuatu has announced that on 1 May 2025, it will introduce a mandatory requirement to submit biometrics in person. Official submission locations include Port Vila, Vanuatu, and consular posts in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and the French territory of New Caledonia. The Vanuatu government plans to announce additional locations designated for biometric submissions alongside the choice to opt for a mobile biometric unit for an additional fee to avoid travel.
Vanuatu passport time
Applying for Vanuatu citizenship by investment takes about three months, including the due diligence procedures. The normal passport process takes up to 21 days.
Expedited processing
Vanuatu citizens have two options for an additional cost to fast-track passport processing:
Express processing: Up to ten days processing time
Urgent processing: Up to three days processing time
Vanuatu passport fees
The cost of a Vanuatu passport through the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program starts at $130,000 for a single applicant and $165,000 for a family of up to four. Other fees apply, including due diligence fees, processing fees, citizenship application fees, and interview fees.
Vanuatu citizens pay the following fees for passports:
- Child’s passport (0 to 5): VT 5,000 ($40)
- Child’s passport (6 to 17): VT 7,000 ($55)
- Adult’s passport: VT 10,000 ($80)
- Express passport: VT 20,000 ($160)
- Urgent passport: VT 25,000 ($200)
Renewal process
Vanuatu passport renewal fees for Vanuatu economic citizens include a passport fee and courier fee.
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Expired/expiring Vanuatu passport
- Vanuatu Passport Application Form B
- Recent passport photos (digital copies)
- Certified copy of Vanuatu Birth Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Certified copy of Vanuatu Citizenship Certificate
- Certified copy of passport of country of origin
- Police Clearance of country of residence
- Certified copy of birth certificate
Replacing lost or stolen passports
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Vanuatu passport, you must follow the renewal process and supply the following support documents:
- A police report detailing the loss or theft or signed Immigration Lost or Damage Declaration Form.
- Previous Vanuatu passports (if applicable)
Consulate General of the Republic of Vanuatu (Beijing, China)
3-1-11 San Li Tun Diplomatic Compound, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6532 0337
Fax: +86 10 6532 0336
Email:
Embassy and High Commission of the Republic of Vanuatu (Brussels, Belgium)
Avenue de Tervuren 380 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre Belgium
Tel: +32 2 772 7141
Fax: +32 2 771 7494
Email: [email protected]
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.