Vanuatu CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT

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Donation from$130,000

Real estate fromNot available

Time to citizenship:1-2 Months

Visa-free travel:98 Countries

Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific that is the only nation in this area to offer a citizenship by investment program. Tucked in the same corner of the earth as Australia and New Zealand, Vanuatu feels like an undiscovered tropical paradise. While many citizenship by investment programs are active in countries with various languages, Vanuatu’s most-used language is English, meaning this is an extremely easy process to navigate and the perfect place to call home if an applicant chooses to do so.

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Just because applicants can decide to make a home in Vanuatu, it does not mean that moving to the island is a requirement. In fact, the entire application process can be done remotely and there are no residency requirements attached to the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program. The process itself is extremely streamlined; it usually takes less than one month for applications to be processed and Vanuatu passports to be distributed, making this the fastest citizenship by investment program out there.

Origin of Citizenship by Investment

Starting in 2012, the government of Vanuatu began experimenting with programs similar to citizenship by investment, but the form seen today with the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program has been around since 2017. While it has been operational for a number of years now, Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment Program has recently begun picking up steam, becoming more popular with investors all over the world. The simple process and long list of benefits for Vanuatu passport holders make this a worthwhile investment.

Capital

Port Vila

Continent

Oceania

Sea

Coral Sea

Total Area

12 189 Km2

Currency

Vatu

Visa-free countries

Population

307 815

Language

Bislama, English, French

Benefits of Pursuing Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

Though each applicant’s reasoning for pursuing Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment will vary, there are many benefits that are wrapped up in the program. No matter why a person decides to apply for themselves or their family, they can enjoy each and every benefit that comes with holding a Vanuatu passport:

Travel Benefits

In the last 15 years, the government of Vanuatu has worked hard to expand global visa waivers with countries around the world, making the Vanuatu passport rapidly gain strength. Now citizens of Vanuatu can enjoy visa-free travel to 98 countries. With easy access to the Hong Kong, Singapore, and eligibility for B1 or B2 visas to the U.S., the Vanuatu passport is true in its value. Lastly, Vanuatu passport holders can apply for a long-term visa for Australia.

Personal Tax Benefits

Officially considered a “tax haven,” Vanuatu does not tax its residents through income tax, corporate tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, estate tax, or gift tax. This makes it an extremely desirable citizenship by investment program for wealthy families who often face hefty tax commitments in other countries.

Business Benefits

With a Vanuatu passport, it becomes possible to open an international company in Vanuatu. Though companies established in this way are not eligible to bring in money from Vanuatu, they can conduct business internationally and avoid harsh tax payments. For up to 20 years after opening, a business will be exempt from paying taxes on profit, income, capital gains, inheritance, or donations. However, business owners can expect a flat fee of $300 per year.

Simple Process

Participating in any citizenship by investment program will require time, energy, and of course, a financial investment. However, the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is one of the most streamlined processes and boasts few requirements. Applicants do not have to worry about language requirements, residency requirements, or a lengthy process. In just one month, applicants can have their Vanuatu passports in hand, ready for travel.

Every citizenship by investment program must prove its worth to applicants. Many investors choose Vanuatu because of the many benefits it offers.

Why Vanuatu?

The untethered access to Australia and New Zealand is an incredibly unique feature of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program. Due to its proximity to these well-respected nations, Vanuatu is never hard to settle into if passport holders decide to move to the island nation. There is a healthy tourism sector and agriculture sector in Vanuatu and since it is a newer program, it does not feel overcrowded or too concentrated with people.

Visa-free travel
with a Vanuatu Passport

Please note that visa-free Schengen access is temporarily suspended. Vanuatu passport holders can still access Schengen but must obtain a Schengen visa in advance. Vanuatu remains a widely popular option among investors but if you are looking for visa-free travel to Schengen, then please consider the other citizenship programs listed on our website. Click on the plus icons to view specific countries.

visa-free countries

10 years

visa to the United States (B1/B2 visa required)

North America

Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Montserrat
Panama
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago

South America

Bolivia
Ecuador
Nicaragua
Peru

Africa

Botswana
Burundi
Cape Verde Islands
Comoro Islands
Egypt
Eswatini
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Rwanda
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
St. Helena
Tanzania
The Gambia
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Europe

Andorra
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gibraltar
Iceland
Kosovo
Liechtenstein
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Norway
Russian Federation
San Marino

Asia

Armenia
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Indonesia
Iran
Israel
Jordan
Laos
Macao (SAR China)
Malaysia
Maldives
Nepal
Palestinian Territory
Philippines
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Timor-Leste

Oceania

Cook Islands
Fiji
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Nauru
Niue
Palau Islands
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu

Investment Options and Associated Fees

Part of what makes this process so streamlined and simple is that investors only have one investment option when applying for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program. We will comb through the details of the required investment below.

National Development Fund Contribution

$130 000+

The government in Vanuatu has limited the investment requirements to just one option. Other programs often allow the purchase of qualifying real estate or other investment types to be accepted in their citizenship by investment program, but in Vanuatu, contributing to the National Development Fund is the compulsory investment method.

To have a qualifying investment, applicants must contribute a non-refundable amount of $130,000 to the fund if there is only one person on the application. Married couples are required to invest $150,000 and a family of three will need to donate at least $165,000. Families of 4 or more will need a $180,000 investment, with each family member after the 4th person requiring an additional $15,000.

There are existing due diligence fees charged by the government of Vanuatu of $5,000 per family to process the application. Keep in mind that if the application is denied, the large investment amounts for the National Development Fund will not be collected. However, the due diligence payments are part of the application process and thus, non-refundable even if an application is denied.

The due diligence fee is $5,000 for all applications, no matter how many dependents the main applicant chooses to include in the application.

FIU Due Diligence Fee

Payable on submission of application

+$5 000

Required Contribution

Payable upon approval

SINGLE applicant

$130 000

MARRIED COUPLE

$150 000

FAMILY OF 3

$165 000

FAMILY OF 4

$180 000

Additional member

$15 000

The Other Side of an Investment

As with similar investment routes in comparable programs, the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program funds the National Development Fund, channeling money to investment areas the country needs most. This is a great way to invest in a country before becoming a citizen of that country because it showcases that the motivation for investment is also to better Vanuatu, not just enjoy the benefits of a Vanuatu passport.

Working with a Competent Agent

In order for the government of Vanuatu to consider an application, each applicant must be represented by a competent agent that is responsible for moving the process forward. This is a legal requirement and there is no leniency; applicants that are not represented by an agent will not be able to apply. Working with our team at Global Residence Index is the best way to ensure the application process is quick, painless, and error-free.

Application Procedure

By working with Global Residence Index, applicants can be confident that their application is ready to be assessed by Vanuatu’s government. We will conduct a preliminary review of all required documents before guiding each applicant through the application process below:

FIU Approval

This process takes place in two waves. First, a set of documents required by Vanuatu’s Financial Intelligence Unit will be compiled and prepared. Once ready, the FIU will complete the initial check of all members listed on the application within a week of receiving the papers. Documents required for this step are an applicant’s passport, criminal record certificate, and a resume/CV. After the FIU approval, the investor is guaranteed Vanuatu citizenship given that the investor makes the qualifying donation.

In-Depth Processing and Partial Investment

Once the FIU has authorized an application to advance in the process, more detailed financial documents will need to be prepared and sent to Vanuatu for review. This verification step can take up to 2 weeks and requires 30% of the investment amount to be sent.

Approval and Fulfillment

Once the financial documents for an application have been reviewed and approved, the investor will have 90 days to submit the remaining 70% of the required investment amount.

Passport Issuance

When the full investment is received in Vanuatu, applicants can expect to receive their passports within 4 weeks.

Our Team of Experts is Effective & Efficient

At Global Residence Index, we help a multitude of clients apply for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program, among other similar programs.

We have an exceptional working relationship with the governments of the countries we work with, enabling our clients with an efficient and enjoyable application process.

years in business

100%

approval rate

500+

clients served

Frequently Asked Questions

Can future generations enjoy the benefits of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program?

Yes, citizenship eligibility can be passed down to future children and grandchildren.

Are applicants required to move to Vanuatu once accepted?

No, applicants are not required to make Vanuatu their full-time home if they are not interested in doing so. The option is always available, but the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program does not have residency requirements.

Are there any other investment types available for this program?

At the time being, applicants can only obtain a Vanuatu passport through a contribution to the National Development Fund. If that changes in the future, our team will be sure to inform interested parties.

Who can I include in my application?

You can include your spouse, children up to the age of 30, and parents over the age of 50.

Do I have to make the donation before I am approved?

No, please note that the qualifying donation is only to be made after approval when you are guaranteed citizenship.

Let us help you!

As a trusted golden visa & citizenship by investment agent, our team is equipped to assess the ideal options for your unique situation, facilitate your application process, and keep you in compliance every step of the way. Our personalized investment migration consulting is your one-stop shop for obtaining a second citizenship or new residency. Fill out our contact form to get started with a complimentary consultation today.

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Family in airport having visa free travel with a passport by investment

What to expect during your free citizenship consultation?

We proudly offer free consultations to interested applicants.
Here is what you can expect from your free consultation with our advisory team:

By the end of the consultation, you will know if you’re eligible to apply so you don't spend time and money investigating yourself

We will answer any specific questions you have about the program and application process

Our advisory team will explain every step of the process in detail so you know what to expect

We’ll help you understand the best programs and options for your situation

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