Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment and Passport Ultimate Guide for 2025

The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program grants eligible foreign nationals dual citizenship and an alternative passport in exchange for a financial contribution to the nation.

Commonly referred to as the Vanuatu Golden Visa program, it gives investors and their families the opportunity to enhance their personal protection and increase global mobility by accessing 96 countries without a visa.

Eligibility requires applicants to make a significant economic investment, starting with a non-refundable contribution of $130,000 to the Development Support Program (DSP), which funds national development initiatives.

This guide will walk you through Vanuatu’s CBI program, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step application process.

• Overview of Vanuatu CBI
• Vanuatu citizenship benefits
• Eligibility criteria for Vanuatu citizenship
• Vanuatu CBI investment options
• Document requirements for Vanuatu citizenship
• Vanuatu citizenship application process
• Vanuatu citizenship cost

Vanuatu CBI Key Program Details

• Visa free countries: 96
• Visa free to Schengen Area: No
• Tax framework: No personal income taxes
• Processing time: 2 to 3 months
• Minimum government fund contribution: $130,000
• Minimum investment amount: $50,000 refundable investment (plus a $115,000 non-refundable contribution)
• Minimum real estate investment: $200,000
• Minimum total for one applicant: $135,820
• Minimum total family of four: $171,780
• Eligible dependents:
  • Spouse
  • Children under 18
  • Children under 25 and in fulltime education
  • Parents and grandparents over 50
• Passport validity:
  • 10 years for adult passports
  • 5 years for children’s passports
• Visit or residency requirement: None
• Citizenship interview: Yes

What is Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment?

Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) awards investors second citizenship and a Vanuatu passport in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy. Applicants can choose to qualify through a donation or a real estate investment.

The program offers foreign investors a passport offering visa free travel to 96 countries and the opportunity to include their family members in the application. As Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, investors can add Vanuatu citizenship alongside their original citizenship.

There are three foreign investment options, starting from $130,000 for a solo investor and $165,000 for a family of four:

• Donation to the Development Support Program (DSP)
• Investment in the Real Estate Option Program (REO)
• Donation to the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP)

Vanuatu CBI Program Benefits

1. Affordable second citizenship: Vanuatu citizenship starts at just $130,000 for a single applicant.
2. Partially-refundable investment: The Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF) option allows investors to partially recoup the initial investment, reducing the total investment outlay to $115,000.
3. Tax friendliness: Tax advantages include zero personal income tax, inheritance, or capital gains tax.
4. Short application process: Vanuatu offers the fastest way to obtain a second passport. The Vanuatu citizenship application process takes as little as two months.
5. No residency requirements: There are no residency requirements to obtain or maintain a Vanuatu second passport.
6. Family inclusion: In addition to a spouse and children, qualifying dependents include parents and grandparents.
7. No in-person interviews: Applicants complete the citizenship process remotely.
8. Vanuatuans are happy: Vanuatu is recognized as one of the world’s happiest countries, ranking sixth in the Happy Planet Index (HPI) is produced by the New Economics Foundation (NEF).
9. Visa free travel: A Vanuatu passport facilitates visa free access to 96 countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Russia, and Singapore.
10. Dual citizenship allowed: Vanuatu recognizes dual citizenship, allowing successful applicants to maintain multiple citizenships when obtaining Vanuatu citizenship.
11. Security of a Plan B: Secure a Plan B for yourself, your family, and future generations with a solid alternative citizenship to ensure financial stability in a safer, more politically stable environment.

Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Eligibility Criteria

Main applicant

• Over 18 years old
• Have a clean criminal record
• Have the means to invest at least $130,000
• Have equivalent the equivalent of at least $250,000 in your bank account

Qualifying dependents

• Spouse
• Children of the main applicant or spouse
  • Under 18
  • Between 18 and 25 and in full-time education
• Dependent parents of the primary applicant or the spouse aged 50 or over

Banned nationalities

• Iraq
• Iran
• North Korea
• Yemen

Nationals of the following countries can obtain citizenship in Vanuatu, provided they have no ties to the country and have lived in a non-restricted country for at least ten years.

Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Options

1. Development Support Program (DSP)

Investors can contribute $130,000 to Vanuatu’s local development fund through the Vanuatu Development Support Program (VDSP) to obtain Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment.

2. Real Estate Option Program (REO)

Foreign nationals can purchase Vanuatu real estate in approved real estate projects for at least $200,000. Approved real estate projects include:

• Pacific Springs on Efate island
• Narpow Point Coral Bay on Efate island
• FPF Rainbow City Project on Efate island
• Milai on Espiritu Santo island

3. CIIP (Capital Investment Immigration Plan)

The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) option allows investors to donate $165,000 to acquire citizenship. Notably, $50,000 from the donation is allocated to the country’s CFS, which is redeemable after four years.

Vanuatu Citizenship Fees and Charges

Vanuatu Citizenship Document Requirements

The following documents are required for application:

• A completed citizenship application form
• Certified copy of your passport (must be valid)
• Birth certificate
• National identity card
• Police clearance certificate
• Pass the Vanuatu due diligence check (FIU)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Birth certificates of children (if applicable)
• Medical certificate proving you’re in good health
• A comprehensive personal profile outlining your employment history (curriculum vitae)
• Colored passport photograph
• Proof of having sufficient funds, at a minimum of $250,000

How to Apply for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program

Step 1: Initial consultation

An Authorized Agent or Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment lawyer guides you through the program’s requirements.

Step 2: Complete application forms

The agent gathers and checks the required documents, then submits your citizenship application to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission.

Step 3: Due diligence checks

The Vanuatu government will perform due diligence checks to confirm eligibility for the scheme. After paying the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) due diligence fee, it will conduct its own due diligence before issuing an Approval in Principle.

Step 4: Pre-approval confirmation

Following these checks, the government will pre-approve your citizenship application, provided you meet the investment program requirement.

Step 5: Invest and provide proof of investment

Upon receipt of a letter of approval, invest the required amount and provide proof.

Step 6: Oath-swearing ceremony and passport

Once you receive your citizenship certificate, you must take the Oath. You can arrange the Oath Swearing Ceremony at your preferred location for an extra fee. On the day of the ceremony, applicants receive their Vanuatu passports.

Note: The citizenship process will include a requirement to submit biometric information for passports to be issued from 1 October 2025.

Dual Citizenship in Vanuatu

The Government of Vanuatu allows Vanuatu dual citizenship, permitting foreigners to acquire Vanuatuan passports without relinquishing their original citizenship. The legislation was added to the Citizenship Act in 2013 to attract investors and accommodate the diaspora. Both natural-born and naturalized citizens can hold multiple nationalities, provided they register their citizenships with the Citizenship Commission.

Vanuatu CBI Timeline

Month 1 (preparation)

• Consult with a specialist firm about the program requirements and prepare the required documents for submission.
• Submit your application to the Vanuatu government.

Month 2 (processing)

• The Vanuatu government performs due diligence checks and goes through your application. If successful, you’ll receive a pre-approved letter.
• Make the required investment and provide proof to the Citizenship Commission.

Month 3 (approval)

• Take the Oath Swearing Ceremony and receive your Citizenship Certificate
• Obtain a Vanuatu passport

Estimated Vanuatu Citizenship Cost

The minimum cost to get Vanuatu citizenship as a single applicant is $130,000. Additional fees apply  for due diligence checks and to include spouses and other dependents in the application. The following table outlines estimates of the Vanuatu citizenship price, including the minimum donation and additional fees required for a single applicant:

How do the Development Support Program and the Capital Investment Immigration Plan differ?

The Development Support Program (DSP) and the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) are investment options that allow foreign investors to obtain Vanuatu citizenship through a donation, with some differences regarding structure and overall investment.

Solo investors

• DSP: A single investor must make a non-refundable donation of $130,000.
• CIIP: A single investor must make a partially refundable donation of $165,000. After four years, $50,000 of the donation directed to the Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CFS) is refunded, reducing the net expense overall.

Family applications

• DSP: Adding dependents to a main investor’s application results in incremental donations based on the number of dependents.
  • Principal investor and spouse: $150,000
  • Principal investor, spouse, and two children: $180,000
  • Additional dependents: $25,000 per dependent
• CIIP: The partially refundable donation of $165,000 to the CIIP qualifies a main applicant and up to three eligible dependents. A fifth dependent or more requires an additional donation of $25,000 per dependent. As with solo applications, $50,000 of the donation allocated to the CSF is refunded after four years.

While the CIIP requires a higher upfront contribution, its partial refund after four years lowers the total cost to $115,000 for up to four applicants, making it more affordable than the DSP, which requires a non-refundable contribution of $130,000 for single applicants and $180,000 for families of four.

Vanuatu Passport Strength

The Vanuatu passport is a relatively strong South Pacific passport that facilitates visa free travel to 96 countries and territories worldwide. The passport ranks 112th on the Global Passport Index, and destinations Vanuatu second passport holders can visit without a visa include New Zealand, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, and Latin American countries. Vanuatu citizens also qualify to apply for a US visitor visa.

Comparison of Vanuatu Citizenship Investment with Other CBI Programs

Vanuatu

• Strengths:
  • Fastest CBI process at one to two months
  • More affordable than Caribbean citizenship programs
  • No income taxes, including corporate income taxes
• Weaknesses:
  • Reputation issues leading to revoked visa free access
  • Limited real estate options

Antigua and Barbuda

• Strengths:
  • Most family-friendly program
  • Zero personal income tax
• Weaknesses:
  • Only country with a minimum residency requirement

Dominica

• Strengths:
  • Most affordable CBI program
  • Most affordable real estate investment
• Weakness:
  • No visa free access to the UK, Ireland, or Schengen Area
  • Only two investment options

Grenada

• Strengths:
  • Eligibility for the US E-2 Visa
  • Broad list of government-approved real estate projects
  • Fast processing time of six months
• Weaknesses:
  • Only two investment options

Nauru

• Strengths:
  • Cheapest CBI program for single applicants and families
  • Only passport offering visa free access to the UAE
• Weaknesses:
  • Remote location with limited access
  • No investment route providing ROI

St Kitts and Nevis

• Strengths:
  • Fastest processing time
  • Most reputable CBI program
  • Strongest Caribbean passport
• Weakness:
  • Most expensive donation and real estate options
  • Minimum seven-year holding period for property investments

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.
• 100 percent approval rate: We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
• Independent service and full transparency: We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
• 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.
• Confidential service and secure data management: All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.