Known for its gorgeous pristine coastline, and fast-growing economy in the South Pacific Ocean region, Vanuatu is evolving as a perfect destination for investors looking to gain second citizenship in a simple and quick process, and at once benefit from global mobility.
Vanuatu Passport Ranking
Vanuatu passport is ranked 56th among global passports, registering 2 spots increase in 2023, compared to the previous year. It provides its holders visa-free access to 98 destinations including the United Kingdom, Russia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu launched its Development Support Program (DSP) in January 2017, to promote the country’s economic development. It is the sole citizenship-by-investment program in the South Pacific region. Vanuatu welcomes foreign investors to apply for its citizenship through an investment program, by making an economic contribution to the country’s DSP. Vanuatu grants its citizenship and passport to the contributor, along with his spouse, children under 25, and parents over 50, within the same application. Qualified individuals will be able to acquire a Vanuatu passport by investment in about one to 3 months with no interview or residency requirements.
How to Get Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
To obtain citizenship by investment, applicants must make a non-refundable contribution to the government fund, with a minimum investment worth $130,000. The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program is the fastest, as it takes between one to three months to get a passport and the application process is done online, without any need for an interview or residency requirements, and without any need to take language proficiency tests or history exams.
Economic Citizenship Vanuatu Application Process
To start the process of a citizenship by investment program in Vanuatu applicants must sign a service agreement with an authorized agent. The latter will provide advice, and assistance, and prepare documents and government forms. The applicant’s file will be complete at this stage, and due diligence fees will be due. The authorized agent will submit the preliminary application to the Financial Intelligence Unit to obtain initial approval, and after the FIU assesses the applicant’s file and due diligence is completed, a “Clearance Letter”, will be issued. The applicant is required to make the applicable contribution to the Development Support Program (DSP), and the rest of the documents will be submitted for final approval by the Citizenship Committee in Vanuatu. After this stage, the government issues the naturalization certificate, and the passport applications are submitted. Then Vanuatu passport by investment will be issued within a few days. Passports and naturalization certificates are delivered to the applicant in an Oath Ceremony. The balance of fees will be due.
Benefits of Second Citizenship in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has a lot of benefits to offer to its holders, the most important of which providing long-term US Visas, which include the B-1/B-2 tourist visas for 5 years, allowing holders to spend up to 180 days a year in the USA. Visa holders can conduct business meetings, travel around the country, get medical treatment, and enroll to study in courses that do not lead to a diploma or degree. Investors holding Vanuatu’s citizenship can also establish an offshore or international business company in Vanuatu. Although such companies are not eligible to conduct business in Vanuatu if they want to be tax exempt. The company and its shareholders don’t pay taxes on corporate profits, personal income, capital gains, inheritance, or donations, but instead there is a flat annual fee, and the beneficial tax regime is valid for 20 years. Vanuatu citizens can travel visa-free to 98 countries including Hong Kong and Singapore, and the passport replaces visa for spending up to 180 days a year in UK.
Vanuatu Passport Price Increase
In May 2018, Vanuatu announced that the cost of citizenship will be reduced from $220,000 to $150,000. The price was further reduced from $150,000 to $130,000 in November 2019. With the new cuts, the price of Vanuatu’s passport competes with some Caribbean countries that provide citizenship. The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program has seen increased demand since then, and there is currently no evidence suggesting any price hike in the near future.
What is the Total Cost of Citizenship in Vanuatu for an Individual?
The total cost of investment for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship is $135,000. This includes a $130,000 non-refundable donation to the country’s Development Support Program and $5,000 due diligence fees per application payable to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in Vanuatu. The cost raises to $155,000, for married couples, $170,000 for couples with one child, $185,000 for a couple with 2 children, and an additional $10,000 for each extra dependent.
Common Question about Vanuatu:
Before taking the decision of acquiring Vanuatu’s citizenship and contributing to its economy, investors may raise many questions.
How do I become a Vanuatu citizen?
In Vanuatu, the ‘Citizenship’s Office and Commission’ is responsible for administering the program and processing all applications. The Citizenship Commission examines the application thoroughly and, if deemed necessary, may request the applicant to attend an interview. Vanuatu’s Financial Intelligence Unit along with the Citizenship Commission undertake strict due diligence checks and will decline an application if the applicant makes a false statement. Applicants must make a $130,000 non-refundable contribution (donation) to the Development Support Program in the country starting from $130,000 for a single applicant.
Why is Vanuatu passport so powerful?
Vanuatu passport provides its holders visa-free and visa on arrival access to 98 countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Russia, the UK, and Malaysia. It also makes them able to get the B-1/B-2 tourist visas, which allows its holders to spend 180 days per year in the US.
How much does it cost to buy citizenship Vanuatu?
It costs a single applicant around $135,000 to acquire Vanuatu citizenship and passport which includes Due Diligence fees and a non-refundable contribution to the government.
Which country is easiest to obtain citizenship?
Qualified individuals from almost any country will be able to acquire a Vanuatu passport by investment within one to 3 months with no interview or residency requirements. On the restricted list are only nationals of Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
