Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment - Your Path to New Freedom and Opportunities

Obtaining a second citizenship has become an increasingly popular strategy among investors and entrepreneurs worldwide. Among the various available options, Vanuatu citizenship stands out due to its efficiency, flexibility, and unique advantages. If speed is your priority, compare Vanuatu with the fastest citizenship by investment page and the broader CBI hub.

Passport in 6 weeks
One of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs worldwide
Visa-free mobility
Visa-free access to 100+ countries, including the UK, Hong Kong u0026 Singapore
Tax benefits
No taxes on global income, capital gains, dividends, or inheritance
Dual citizenship allowed
Keep your current passport—Vanuatu fully allows dual nationality

Why choose Vanuatu citizenship?

Obtaining a second citizenship has become an increasingly popular strategy among investors and entrepreneurs worldwide. Among the various available options, Vanuatu citizenship stands out due to its efficiency, flexibility, and unique advantages.

If speed is your priority, compare Vanuatu with the fastest citizenship by investment page and the broader CBI hub.

One of the key reasons for its popularity is the exceptional speed of processing. A Vanuatu passport can be issued in as little as six weeks, making it the fastest citizenship by investment program globally. The application process is straightforward, requires minimal documentation, and can be completed entirely remotely, without the need for a personal visit.

A Vanuatu passport grants visa-free access to over 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This opens up excellent opportunities for international business travel, tourism, and personal mobility—without the delays and restrictions of traditional visa systems.

Another major advantage is Vanuatu’s favorable tax regime. The country does not levy taxes on worldwide income, capital gains, dividends, or inheritance. There is also no taxation on international companies registered in Vanuatu, making it an ideal jurisdiction for international business and wealth management.

Confidentiality is also a cornerstone of the Vanuatu citizenship program. The application process is highly private—authorities do not share applicants’ data with third parties or publish it in public registries. In an era of growing global transparency, this level of discretion is highly valued.

There are no residency requirements tied to Vanuatu citizenship. You are not obliged to visit or live in the country to maintain your status. This makes the program especially appealing for globally mobile individuals who want a second passport without altering their lifestyle.

Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, so applicants are not required to give up their current nationality. This flexibility is important for those who wish to retain the benefits of their original citizenship while enjoying the privileges of a new one.

Finally, Vanuatu passports are valid for ten years and are easily renewable without the need to reinvest or undergo a financial reassessment. This ensures long-term stability and simplicity for passport holders.

In summary, Vanuatu citizenship offers an unmatched combination of speed, global mobility, tax efficiency, privacy, and flexibility—making it an excellent solution for investors seeking a reliable and discreet second citizenship.

Who can obtain citizenship?

To apply for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program, you must meet the eligibility criteria:

Age
The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
Clean biography
No convictions or criminal history (clean criminal record). Submission of a police clearance certificate of no criminal record is mandatory.
Financial solvency
The applicant must prove that he/she has legal income and sufficient funds to pay the established investment contribution.
Readiness to invest
The minimum investment in the Vanuatu Development Support Program is $130,000 for a single applicant.

It is important to note that the program does not have any educational, work experience, or language requirements.

Who else may be included in the application?

One of the advantages of the Vanuatu citizenship by Investment program is the ability to include family members of the applicant in the application:

  • The spouse of the main applicant, regardless of age.
  • Dependent children under 25 years of age. The children must be dependent on the applicant and are not married.
  • Parents over 50 years of age who are financially dependent on the main applicant.

Each additional family member increases the total amount of the required investment contribution, but the application process remains uniform and centralized.

Although the application process itself seems quite simple, errors in documents, incomplete information, or incorrect confirmation of sources of income may lead to rejection of the application. Our law firm offers an initial check of candidates for compliance with requirements, preparation and verification of a full package of documents, support at all stages from submission to receipt of a passport, and consultations on the inclusion of family members and tax planning.

Investment Options and Program Requirements

You can gain Vanuatu citizenship through one of two government-approved investment programs. Both schemes require non-refundable contributions to the state, but differ in purpose and implementation.

1. Development Support Program (DSP)

This is the most popular and official route to become a Vanuatu citizen. The DSP (Development Support Program) was approved by the Vanuatu government in 2017 and has remained the main mechanism for attracting foreign investment ever since.

Key Features:

  • Minimum donation: $130,000 for a single applicant;
  • Review period: from 6 to 8 weeks;
  • No physical presence in the country is required.
  • All funds go to the state development fund.
  • The program is regulated and supervised directly by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC).

2. Capital Investment Plan (CIIP)

The Capital Investment Immigration Plan is a less common option for acquiring Vanuatu citizenship, aimed at foreign investors interested in supporting specific projects. The basic concept is to invest in government-approved initiatives or institutions.

Peculiarities:

  • The size and structure of investments depend on the specific project.
  • Prior approval from government agencies is required.
  • The need for a detailed business plan and verification of the source of funds.
  • Potential tax and residency benefits.

This route is suitable for active investors interested in long-term financial and business integration with Vanuatu.

Our team provides full support and risk minimization: we will prepare an individual strategy for choosing a Vanuatu CBI option, check all documents before submission to eliminate errors, represent your interests before regulatory authorities, and ensure transparency and security of financial transactions.

Step by step process to obtain citizenship

Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment program is recognized as one of the fastest in the world. It is possible to obtain a passport in just 4-8 weeks. The procedure is carried out remotely and includes several mandatory steps.

Preliminary check of the applicant Due Diligence

Preliminary check of the applicant Due Diligence

Before the process begins, our team conducts an internal preliminary check of the client to ensure that there are no grounds for refusal. This stage allows us to minimize risks. At the same time, the main documents are prepared: copies of the passport, certificates of no criminal record, confirmation of the source of income and information on the composition of the family.rnrnu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnThe Vanuatu Investment Programme Commission also carries out formal due diligence through independent agents. That includes agents from the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The process takes between 7 and 10 working days and is necessary to obtain government approval.

Signing the contract and paying state fees

Signing the contract and paying state fees

Once approved at the preliminary stage, the client signs a legal support agreement and pays the first part of the administrative fees: due diligence fees, document processing fees, licensed agent fees, and notarized translations.rnrnAt this stage, the client receives an official invitation from the state to participate in the program and confirmation of the investment contribution.

Collection and submission of documents

Collection and submission of documents

The next step is to form a complete package of documents, including:rnrnu003c!u002du002d wp:list u002du002du003ernu003cul class=u0022wp-block-listu0022u003eu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eCertified copies of all passports and certificates;u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eBank statements;u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eCertificates of financial status;u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eResume;u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003ern tu003cliu003eSigned DSP forms.u003c/liu003ernu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003eu003c/ulu003ernOur lawyers check that all materials comply with the requirements established by law in order to exclude errors or incomplete data. The documents are sent to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission (VCC), where they are reviewed within 2-3 weeks.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:list u002du002du003e

Decision on granting citizenship

Decision on granting citizenship

u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnOnce the documents review is complete, the Vanuatu citizenship office makes an official decision on whether to grant citizenship. The client receives an approval letter and instructions on how to pay the investment fee. The minimum amount is $130,000 per applicant. Payment is made to a special government account.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cstrongu003eImportant:u003c/strongu003e payment for investments is allowed only after a positive decision. This reduces financial risks for the client.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e

Oath by video link

To obtain a passport, you must take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Vanuatu. The procedure is carried out online, via video communication with government officials, and is certified by a notary.rnrnThe oath is a mandatory part of the procedure. Without it, citizenship is not considered valid.

Receiving a passport via courier delivery

Receiving a passport via courier delivery

After the oath, the Vanuatu passport is made and sent to the client via an international courier service. Delivery usually takes from 3 to 7 business days, depending on the applicant’s country of residence. Along with the passport, the client receives a certificate of naturalization and proof of citizenship.

How can we help?

Before we start processing, we conduct a full legal assessment of your situation. This allows us to identify potential risks and ensure in advance that you have no obstacles to participating in the program. This approach saves time and eliminates the possibility of refusal at later stages.

We guarantee that the entire process, from application to passport receipt, will comply with both the internal regulations of the Republic of Vanuatu and international investment migration standards. Our lawyers control every detail: from the legality of the origin of funds to the formal requirements for the submitted documents.

We work only with officially authorized agents of the Vanuatu government. This ensures transparency of the procedure, legal purity of registration, and minimization of any risks for the client. You do not pay for a chain of intermediaries, only for the actual services related to obtaining citizenship.

If your case raises questions (non-standard source of income, participation in another immigration program, or citizenship of a risky country), we will offer an individual “plan B”. In such situations, additional measures are possible: a more in-depth check, an alternative filing structure, or a parallel analysis of other jurisdictions.

Your information is protected: we comply with international privacy standards and never share data with third parties without your consent. Each client receives an individual manager and lawyer who will accompany them at all stages.

If you are considering Vanuatu as a reliable solution for second citizenship, we can help you navigate this path safely, legally, and efficiently. Contact us for a free consultation and a personalized action plan.

Interpol-Lawyer-Anatoly-Yarovyi
Anatoly Yarovyi
Senior Partner, Attorney-at-law, admitted to the Bar (Certificate to practice Law #701 as of 28.12.2009)
With 20 years of legal experience, Anatolii Yarovyi specializes in advising private clients on second citizenship and residence-by-investment programs. His expertise in international law and cross-border mobility makes him a trusted advisor for individuals seeking secure and strategic global citizenship solutions.

How Vanuatu compares

Vanuatu is often evaluated by applicants who care about speed, but speed alone is not enough. You still need to look at due diligence, document quality, and whether the route actually gives you the level of mobility you need.

For a speed-focused comparison, read the fastest citizenship by investment page and then compare it with the broader hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because it is commonly discussed as one of the faster routes, which makes it attractive to applicants who want a short timeline.
No. A fast route is only useful if the file is clean and the passport fits your broader travel or business plan.
Check due diligence requirements, dependant rules, and whether the route still matches your real travel goals.
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