Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment and Passport Ultimate Guide for 2026

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 118 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 Citizenship by Investment: Key Takeaways

The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program offers an affordable Plan B passport in a stable nation.

Make a non-refundable donation of $130,000 to qualify as a single applicant. The Vanuatu citizenship cost is $165,000 as a family of four.

Gain initial approval for citizenship within approximately 60 to 90 days.

Obtain an alternative passport ranking 111th on the Global Passport Index and offering visa free access to 118 countries.

Get citizenship for your spouse, children, and parents in your application.

• Visa free access (visa free, eVisa, eTA, and visa on arrival): 118 countries
• Visa free to Schengen Area: No
• Tax framework: No personal income taxes
• Processing time: 60 to 90 days
• 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
• Standout feature: Vanuatu’s citizenship program is known for being fast and simple, with most applicants receiving their Vanuatu passport within roughly 60 days of applying.

The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program 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.

This Vanuatu investor visa program offers foreign investors a passport offering visa free travel to 118 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)

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 Vanuatu passport cost to $115,000.
3. Tax friendliness: Tax advantages include zero personal income tax, inheritance, or capital gains tax.
4. Short application process: Vanuatu dual citizenship by investment is the fastest way to obtain a second passport. The Vanuatu citizenship application process takes as little as 60 days.
5. No residency requirements: Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment requirements do not include 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 Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment 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 118 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 CBI.
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.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, and have the means to invest at least $130,000. Additionally, they must have a bank balance equivalent to at least $250,000.

Family requirements

The main investor’s family can be included in the Vanuatu citizenship application, provided they fit the following criteria:

• Spouse
• Dependent children (under 18 or under 25 and in full-time education)
• Dependent parents over 50

Due diligence requirements

All applicants undergo a character assessment by the Vanuatu government, which includes due diligence checks to prove they:

• Do not have a criminal record
• Have no unresolved visa rejections
• Possess a solid financial standing and verified work or business history

The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission does not require applicants to visit or maintain a physical presence in the country to qualify. New Ni-Vanuatu citizens gain the right to live, work, and study in Vanuatu, but the program does not include a minimum residency requirement. The program also doesn’t require taking Vanuatu history or language tests.

01/ Development Support Program (DSP)

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

02/ Real Estate Option Program (REO)

Foreign nationals can get Vanuatu citizenship by real estate investment through purchasing Vanuatu real estate in approved 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

03/ 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.

The following documents listed on the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment official website are required for applications:

• 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

The Vanuatu citizenship requirements include a sworn translation of documents to English, French, or Bislama.

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

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

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.

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

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

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 Vanuatu citizenship by investment process will include a requirement to submit biometric information for passports to be issued by the end of 2025.

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.

The minimum Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment cost 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:

Regarding the citizenship application, the Application Fee is USD $40 per applicant for the DSP of REO routes and USD $250 for the CIIP option. The Vanuatu passport cost (minimum investment) is at least USD $130,000 for only one applicant or USD $180,000 for a spouse and two children under 18. Should an additional applicant over 18 be included, an additional investment of USD $25,000 must be paid, in addition to the applicant fee.

The Vanuatu passport is a relatively strong South Pacific passport that facilitates visa free travel to 118 countries and territories worldwide. The passport ranks 111th in the 2025 Global Passport Index, and destinations Vanuatu second passport holders can visit without a visa include Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, and Latin American countries. Vanuatu citizens also qualify to apply for a US visitor visa.

Vanuatu

• Strengths:
  • Fastest CBI process at 60 to 90 days
  • 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

São Tomé and Príncipe

• Strengths:
  • Most affordable CBI program
  • Potential EU access through membership in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries
• Weakness:
  • No visa free access to the UK or Schengen
  • Only a donation option

Nauru

• Strengths:
  • No age limit for eligible dependents
  • Only passport offering visa free access to the UAE
• Weaknesses:
  • Remote location with limited access
  • No investment route providing ROI

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.

Key updates include the launch of new electronic passports in December 2024. In addition, enhanced requirements for Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment for Russians and other nationalities include a mandatory requirement to submit biometrics in person in Port Vila, Vanuatu, or at consular posts in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, or the French territory of New Caledonia.

The Vanuatu government plans to announce additional locations designated for biometric submissions alongside the option for applicants to opt for a mobile biometric unit at an additional cost to avoid travel.