Joe Rice
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.
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
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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
Affordable second citizenship: Vanuatu citizenship starts at just $130,000 for a single applicant.- 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.
- Tax friendliness: Tax advantages include zero personal income tax, inheritance, or capital gains tax.
- Short application process: Vanuatu offers the fastest way to obtain a second passport. The Vanuatu citizenship application process takes as little as two months.
- No residency requirements: There are no residency requirements to obtain or maintain a Vanuatu passport.
- Family inclusion: In addition to a spouse and children, qualifying dependents include parents and grandparents.
- No in-person interviews: Applicants complete the citizenship process remotely.
- 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).
- Visa free travel: A Vanuatu passport facilitates visa free access to 96 countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Russia, and Singapore.
- Dual citizenship allowed: Vanuatu recognizes dual citizenship, allowing successful applicants to maintain multiple citizenships when obtaining Vanuatu citizenship.
- 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.
Affordable second citizenship: Vanuatu citizenship starts at just $130,000 for a single applicant.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.
Development Support Program | Single Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and 2 Children | Additional Dependent |
Non-Refundable Contribution | $130,000 | $150,000 | $180,000 | +$25,000 each |
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
Real Estate Option Program | Single Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and 2 Children | Additional Dependent |
Minimum Investment | $200,000 | |||
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.
Capital Investment Immigration Plan | Single Applicant | Main Applicant and Spouse | Main Applicant, Spouse, and 2 Children | Additional Dependent |
Partially-Refundable Contribution | $165,000 | +$25,000 each | ||
Vanuatu Citizenship Fees and Charges
Fee | Development Support Program | Real Estate Option Program | Capital Investment Immigration Plan |
Application Fee | 5,000 VATU ($40) per applicant | $250 per applicant | |
Due Diligence Fee | $5,500 | ||
Citizenship Certificate | $120 per applicant | ||
Passport Fee | $160 per passport | ||
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:
Costs | Development Support Program | Real Estate Option Program | Capital Investment Immigration Plan |
Investment Required | $130,000 | $200,000 | $165,000 |
Due Diligence Fee | $5,500 | ||
Application Fee | $40 | ||
Citizenship Certificate | $120 | ||
Passport Fee | $160 | ||
Total | $135,820 | $205,820 | $160,820 |
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.
DSP: Adding dependents to a main investor’s application results in incremental donations based on the number of dependents.
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 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
The Vanuatu citizenship program has faced scrutiny in recent years, losing free access to the UK, Ireland, and the EU’s Schengen Area. As a result, the Vanuatu Citizenship Office & Commission announced changes to the due diligence process in August 2024 to align with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Citizenship by Investment in Vanuatu
How to get Vanuatu citizenship?
According to the Vanuatu Citizenship Act [CAP 112], you can get Vanuatu citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, naturalization, or investment.
Where is Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is an island country in Oceania. It is approximately 1,750 kilometers (1,090 miles) east of northern Australia, 540 kilometers (340 miles) northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji.
How stringent is the Vanuatu CBI due diligence process?
The due diligence process for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship by investment is quite strict to adhere to international standards. Authorized Agents conduct pre-liminary due diligence, and the checks undergone during the investment process are relatively straightforward.
How to become a citizen of Vanuatu?
A person can become a Vanuatu citizen by birth if they’re born in Vanuatu, by descent if they’re born to at least one parent or grandparent of Ni-Vanuatu ancestry, by naturalization if they’ve lived in Vanuatu for at least ten years, or by investment if they make a qualifying economic contribution to Vanuatu’s economy.
What is the cost of Vanuatu citizenship?
The Vanuatu citizenship by investment cost depends on the investment route and the number of applicants. The minimum cost for a single applicant is $130,000; for a family of four, it’s $170,000, plus government and due diligence fees.
How does Vanuatu Bitcoin citizenship work?
Though Vanuatu makes the list of countries in the Global Citizen Solutions Global Crypto-Friendly Nations Report, it does not yet allow investors to pay in Bitcoin for citizenship or the Vanuatu Investment Visa. Instead, you can trade the Bitcoin for USD to make the required investment.
Do I have to renounce my original citizenship if I gain Vanuatu citizenship?
Vanuatu recognizes dual citizenship, meaning you don’t have to renounce your previous nationality to get a Vanuatu passport. Of course, you must check with your country of existing citizenship whether or not it allows Vanuatu dual citizenship.
What is the Vanuatu Citizenship Act?
The Vanuatu Citizenship Act is legislation passed by the government of Vanuatu in 1980 that permits citizenship by naturalization and renunciation of citizenship. The Act also established the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, which made several amendments to the Act in recent years, including:
- Citizenship Act [Cap 112]
- Citizenship ACT NO. 34 OF 2018
- Order No. 18 of 2014
Is Vanuatu citizenship worth it?
Obtaining Vanuatu citizenship is worth it due to the fast processing period of two months, visa free travel to 96 countries, and Vanuatu tax benefits. The program is affordable, starting at just $130,000 for a single applicant and $165,000 for a family of four.
Can you buy a Vanuatu passport
It isn’t possible to buy Vanuatu citizenship or a passport. However, you can invest in the country’s economic development to qualify for citizenship by investment.
Can my future spouse or child get Vanuatu citizenship?
The Government of Vanuatu allows the main investor’s future spouse and child to gain citizenship with an additional donation of $45,000 for a future spouse and $15,000 for a future child.
How much is the investment for Vanuatu citizenship?
The minimum Vanuatu passport cost is $130,000 for a single applicant and $170,000 for a family of up to four. Investors can lower the overall cost with the Cocoa Sustainable Fund option, which refunds $50,000 of the $165,000 investment after four years.
What are the risks of Vanuatu citizenship?
While Vanuatu’s economic citizenship is advantageous, its past compliance issues may make it riskier than some other programs. Criticism of a lack of compliance weakened the program’s reputation, leading the UK and Ireland to withdraw visa free access for Vanuatu citizens, and the European Union decided to ban visa free access for Vanuatu citizens indefinitely.
Is Vanuatu granting citizenship under the real estate option program?
Vanuatu grants citizenship by real estate investment through the Real Estate Option Program (REO), which requires investors to buy government-approved real estate valued at least $200,000.
Is there any difference between Vanuatu CBI and Vanuatu economic citizenship?
Both Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and Vanuatu Economic Citizenship refer to the same initiative. Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment is the official name for the program, whereas Vanuatu Economic Citizenship refers to the type of citizenship acquired through investment.
What is the Vanuatu Golden Visa?
Vanuatu investment citizenship is not a Golden Visa, but it shares some similarities with Golden Visa programs. Specifically, it is an investment immigration program in a tax-free nation that allows investors to include their spouses, dependent children, and parents.
Is the donation made before or after citizenship approval?
The donation for citizenship by investment will only be made after the citizenship application has been approved.
How does Vanuatu citizenship affect my taxes?
Vanuatu citizenship does not affect your taxes, as the Vanuatu tax system does not impose income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes on citizens or tax residents.
