Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment - Ultimate Guide

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Composed of a string of 80 islands, Vanuatu is the ultimate paradise for expats looking to upgrade their lifestyles. As an island nation by the South Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is made up of mountains, lush tropical rainforests, and turquoise blue waters. Thanks to Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment, international investors can now obtain passports in this beautiful island in just two months!

In this guide, you can find out more about how to get citizenship in Vanuatu. Topics include:

Vanuatu citizenship benefits
Cost of Vanuatu citizenship
Step-by-step guide on how to get Vanuatu citizenship
Vanuatu citizenship requirements

What is Vanuatu citizenship by investment?

Vanuatu citizenship by investment is a scheme that awards qualifying investors with passports, in exchange for an investment in the country’s economic prosperity. Launched in 2017, the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is the only program in the South Pacific. Also referred to as the Vanuatu Citizenship Development Support Program (DSP), it’s the fastest way for expats to get a passport by investment.

While Vanuatu’s citizenship program isn’t the cheapest option, it certainly is one of the easiest ways to get citizenship, with relatively few investor requirements. Owning a Vanuatu passport is particularly rewarding for private individuals looking for some peace and quiet.

Vanuatu citizenship benefits

There are plenty of Vanuatu citizenship benefits to consider. From the added security of having a plan B in case of a crisis like a pandemic to diversifying your assets and living in an English-speaking nation that resembles paradise, Vanuatu citizenship truly broadens your horizons.

Vanuatu citizenship benefits include:

Visa-free travel to over 129 countries, including the EU, UK, and Singapore
Minimum investment from $130,000
Receive your passport within 2 months
No personal taxation; no wealth taxes, inheritance, gift, or income taxes
No physical residence, visit or interview required
The entire family is eligible for passports

Vanuatu citizenship

The best advantage of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is that a Vanuatu passport grants you visa-free travel to 129 countries including Schengen member states, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Vanuatuan citizens also benefit from fast track processing when traveling to Commonwealth countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. With Vanuatu citizenship, you can stay up to 90 days within any Schengen member state without a visa, or up to six months per year in the United Kingdom.

If you have an international business to run which requires a lot of travel, then a Vanuatu passport is worth the investment.

Vanuatu citizenship requirements

There are a couple of Vanuatu citizenship requirements to consider before applying.

You must:

Be over 18 years old when applying, and under 65 years old at the time of lodging your application
Make a minimum non-refundable investment from $130,000
Hold a clean criminal record
Have equivalent to or exceeding $250,000 in your bank account
The program is not open to nationals from Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, or Yemen unless the individual has a permanent residence outside such countries and has lived outside of the country for more than five consecutive years.

What family members qualify for Vanuatu citizenship?

The following family members qualify for Vanuatu citizenship:

Spouse and dependent children
Dependent children in education
Dependent parents of the main applicant, as well as dependent grandparents

Vanuatu citizenship by investment requirements

To get Vanuatu citizenship, you must make a non-refundable contribution — also known as a donation — to Vanuatu’s local development fund. The purpose of this donation is to support the country’s infrastructure, development, and economic growth in the region. The invested sum depends on how many applicants there are.

The minimum investment requirement for one person is $130,000 or $180,000 for a family of four. Additional dependents can be added for an extra fee of $25,000 each. To prove that this requirement can be met, you must show proof of having no less than $250,000 in your bank account.

Vanuatu citizenship: tax considerations

A key benefit of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is that if you decide to live there full-time, you don’t need to pay any tax on your worldwide income, plus no tax on personal income, inheritance or gifts. This makes living in Vanuatu particularly appealing among expats, especially digital entrepreneurs who prefer to own tax-friendly second passports.

Vanuatu bitcoin citizenship

Vanuatu is the first country making it possible to make a payment with bitcoin for the citizenship by investment program. Do note that you can’t directly pay in bitcoin. Rather, the way Vanuatu bitcoin for citizenship works is, you can process your payment in bitcoin via an authorized agent. Afterward, the respective funds are remitted to the Vanuatu government in USD.

Vanuatu citizenship by investment program application process

The Vanuatu citizenship application processing time usually takes 45 days. Typically you get your passport within two months from lodging your application.

Vanuatu citizenship by investment timeline

3-4 days

Preparation

Consult with a specialist firm about the program requirements, and prepare your required documents for submission.

3-4 days

Application submission

Submit your application, and wait while the Vanuatu government performs due diligence checks and goes through your application. If successful, you’ll receive a pre-approved letter.

5 days

Make the investment

Make the required investment and provide proof.

30 days

Passport received

Take the Oath Swearing Ceremony. Congratulations, you’re now a citizen of Vanuatu!

Step-by-step guide on how to get citizenship in Vanuatu

Getting citizenship in Vanuatu is a straightforward, quick process.

Initial consultation with Global Citizen Solutions

Complete all application forms

Due diligence checks

Pre-approval confirmation

Invest & provide proof of investment

Oath-swearing ceremony & passport

Step 1: Initial consultation
Our specialist Vanuatu citizenship advisors will walk you through the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program requirements. We can assist you in all matters related to the program.

Step 2: Complete all application forms
Collate and check the required documents, then submit your application.

Step 3: Due diligence checks
The Vanuatu government will perform due diligence checks to confirm eligibility for the scheme.

Step 4: Pre-approval confirmation
The government will pre-approve your application, depending on meeting the investment 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 at extra fee. On the day of the ceremony, applications receive their Vanuatuan passport. Passports are valid for ten years and are renewable for the same period.

Vanuatu citizenship by investment document requirements

To apply for Vanuatu citizenship by investment, the following documents are required:

A completed citizenship application form
Certified copy of your passport (must be valid)
Certified copy of your national identity card
Police clearance
Pass the Vanuatu due diligence check
If married, a marriage certificate
Medical certificate proving you’re in good health
A comprehensive personal profile outlining your and employment history (curriculum vitae)
Colored passport photograph
Proof of having sufficient funds, at minimum $250,000

Cost of Vanuatu citizenship

The cost of Vanuatu citizenship for a single applicant is $130,000 for the donation in the Vanuatu Development Support Program.

Additional compulsory fees include:

+ $3,500 Security background check
+ $160 Passport processing
+ $120 Citizenship certificate
+ $100 Application fee

Optional Fees

+$20,000 to include in the application a dependant (a spouse or a parent)

If you wish to bring along your family members, additional fees apply.

For a family of four (your spouse, and 2 children): USD 35,000.
For each additional children: USD 20,000
For each additional dependent adult child (18-25 years of age): USD 30,000
For each additional dependent parent (above 65 years of age): USD 30,00

Vanuatu citizenship agents

At Global Citizen Solutions, we work first and foremost for our clients, providing unique tailor-made residency and citizenship solutions to each individual.

Making an investment and moving abroad may seem daunting, we know this from first-hand experience. At Global Citizen Solutions, we guide our clients through each step of the citizenship process, with 100% success rates.

Contact our Vanuatu citizenship agents to learn more about the Vanuatu Citizenship By Investment Program, or to learn more about other residency and citizenship programs we work with.

Frequently asked questions about Vanuatu citizenship by investment

How to get citizenship in Vanuatu?

The easiest and fastest way to get Vanuatu citizenship is to apply for Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment. It’s the only citizenship program in the Asia-Pacific region, and the investment requirement is $130,000 for a single applicant. Once you pass the due diligence check and provide proof of your investment, you can become a Vanuatu citizen in between 1-2 months.

Where is Vanuatu?

Vanuatu is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. It’s approximately 1,750 kilometres (1,090 miles) east of northern Australia, 540 kilometres (340 miles) northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon islands, and west of Fiji.

What are the advantages of Vanuatu citizenship?

There are numerous advantages of Vanuatu citizenship. Vanuatu citizenship visa-free travel is a huge bonus for investors, since you can travel without a visa to over 140 destinations including Europe’s Schengen Zone, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Singapore. With citizenship, you can enjoy zero tax on your worldwide and personal income, plus you gain the right to live and work in this beautiful island nation. In the event of a calamity or pandemic, a second passport is extremely invaluable in giving you more freedom of options as well as enhanced personal and financial safety.

What is the cost of Vanuatu citizenship?

The cost of Vanuatu citizenship depends on how many applicants are included in the application. The main applicant must donate $130,000 to Vanuatu’s local fund in order to get citizenship. For a family of four, it costs $180,000, plus application fees and due diligence fees.

How does Vanuatu bitcoin citizenship work?

While Vanuatu is a crypto-friendly nation, it does not yet permit for investors to pay in bitcoin for citizenship. Rather, you can process your payment via an Authorized Agent, who on your behalf, will trade the bitcoin in USD with the Vanuatu government.

How does dual citizenship Vanuatu work?

Dual citizenship in Vanuatu is perfectly possible since the state recognizes dual citizenship, meaning you don’t have to renounce your citizenship to get a Vanuatu passport.

What is the Vanuatu Citizenship Act?

The Vanuatu Citizenship Act is a legislation passed by the government of Vanuatu in 1980 that permits citizenship by naturalization, renunciation of citizenship, as well as the establishment of a Citizenship Commission.