Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Vanuatu is an island nation in Oceania offering one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs. Within just 1 to 4 months of making an investment starting from $130,000, you can become a citizen of this country.

A Vanuatu passport provides visa-free access to numerous countries, making it a convenient option for those conducting international business and seeking tax optimization strategies. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the program’s requirements, its benefits, and the processing timelines.

What Vanuatu Citizenship Offers: Key Benefits

Vanuatu citizenship attracts foreign investors due to the opportunities that enhance the quality of life. Here are the main benefits:

1. Fastest processing times. The Vanuatu program is one of the quickest in the world. Investors can receive citizenship in just 2 months, making it unique among similar offers.
2. Fully remote process. Applicants are not required to visit Vanuatu at any stage of the process. Document signing, application submission, and biometric data collection are all completed remotely through an accredited agent.
3. No residency requirements. After obtaining a passport, the investor is not required to visit Vanuatu and retains citizenship regardless of where they live.
4. Relatively accessible investment threshold. The minimum contribution for participation in the program is $130,000. This is a non-refundable donation to the government fund. For family applications, the amount increases.
5. Remote passport renewal. Vanuatu citizens must renew their passports every 10 years. This can be done remotely through the consulate or with our assistance. We provide reminders and handle the process, and the new document is delivered to the investor by courier.
6. Tax optimization opportunities. Vanuatu citizens can become tax residents after spending 183 days in the country. Tax residents are exempt from income tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, dividends tax, and luxury taxes. International companies registered in Vanuatu also do not pay profit tax.
7. Retention of original citizenship. Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, meaning investors do not have to renounce their current passport (if permitted by their home country’s laws).
8. Visa-free travel. A Vanuatu passport offers visa-free entry to 108 countries, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Egypt, and others. To visit Australia, an electronic visa is sufficient.

These benefits not only simplify international travel but also optimize financial and tax obligations.

Investment Amounts in the Vanuatu Program

The investment amount varies depending on the chosen participation option and the number of applicants. The table below shows the investment sums, excluding additional fees and commissions.

Additional expenses include state fees and charges. The cost of the due diligence check depends on the type of investment:

• for a non-refundable contribution to the government fund, the check costs $5,500, regardless of the number of applicants;
• for investments in the fund, the check costs $8,000.

Requirements for Eligibility

To participate in Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program, candidates must meet a series of basic conditions. These requirements ensure the clarity and reliability of the process. The main criteria include:

• applicant age — 18 years or older;
• no criminal record or serious medical conditions;
• legal income to invest in Vanuatu’s economy.

Meeting these conditions guarantees that you will successfully complete all stages of the citizenship process. A thorough document review and compliance with the requirements reduce the likelihood of refusal.

List of Documents for Application

To apply for Vanuatu citizenship, a set of documents must be prepared to verify the applicant’s identity, reliability, and financial stability. The list includes:

• birth certificate for each applicant;
• passport;
• bank statement for the last 6 months with a balance of at least $250,000;
• medical certificate (for applicants over 18 years old);
• six photos of each family member;
• employer certificate from the applicant’s main place of work;
• business documents (for company owners): registration certificate, license, financial and tax reports;
• CV (curriculum vitae) — a brief summary of the applicant’s life and work;
• marriage certificate, if applicable;
• education certificate from a higher education institution (for children aged 18–25);
• name change certificate, if applicable.

All documents must be translated into English and notarized. Properly prepared documents will speed up the application process and increase the likelihood of successful citizenship approval.

Stages of Obtaining Vanuatu Citizenship

The process of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship consists of several consecutive steps that ensure quick and transparent processing. We assist clients at all stages.

The process of obtaining a Vanuatu passport consists of seven stages.

Stage 1. 1 day: Preliminary Check

Before entering into an agreement with the client, a preliminary check is conducted to minimize the risk of refusal. Only a passport is required for this procedure, which is fully confidential.

Stage 2. 3 days: Document Collection for Verification

For the preliminary check, the following documents are required: passport; police clearance certificate; CV; and brief information about life and career. If other adult family members are listed in the application, they must also provide their documents.

Stage 3. 3–7 days: Financial Position Verification

According to Vanuatu law, the investor must cooperate with accredited representatives when submitting documents. The client submits the collected documents to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the country. At this stage, a $5,000 verification fee is paid. Once the check is completed, the unit issues preliminary approval.

Stage 4. Up to 14 days: Preparing the Main Document Package

All necessary forms and questionnaires for the applicant and all family members are filled out. The documents are sent to Vanuatu and reviewed by the Selection Committee and the Citizenship Commission.

Stage 5. Up to 21 days: Application Review

The Selection Committee and the Citizenship Commission review the documents and make a decision. Within two weeks, the client receives a notification about the results.

Stage 6. Up to 90 days: Meeting the Investment Requirement

By law, the investment is made in two stages: first, 25% of the total amount is paid when submitting the application, and the remaining 75% is paid after the application is approved. However, in practice, the investor is billed the full amount at once.
Once the Citizenship Commission approves the application, the investor has 90 days to transfer the funds to the Central Bank of Vanuatu.

Stage 7. Up to 14 days: Passport Issuance

After completing all the steps, the applicant receives the full set of documents confirming citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment vs. Naturalization: Key Differences

Vanuatu citizenship can be obtained in two ways: through investment or naturalization. These options differ significantly in terms of duration and requirements. Citizenship by investment is processed quickly (1-2 months) provided that an investment is made in the country’s economy.

Naturalization requires long-term residence in Vanuatu (10 years or more) and the fulfillment of additional conditions such as knowledge of the language and culture. For most investors, the investment program is more preferable due to its speed and simplicity. Naturalization is suited for those planning to reside in the country for an extended period.

Vanuatu’s Tax System

Vanuatu’s tax system attracts investors and businessmen due to its leniency.

Taxes for Individuals:

• there are no taxes on income, capital gains, inheritance, dividends, capital outflows, or income from stock market operations;
• VAT is 12.5%, which is lower than in most European countries (for example, in Portugal — 23%).

Taxes for Legal Entities:

1. International business companies (IBC) are exempt from taxes for 20 years. Instead, they make an annual contribution of $300 to Vanuatu’s budget.
2. Company registration can be done remotely. It is required to rent an office and appoint an official representative. The registration cost is $150.
3. Bookkeeping is mandatory, but no reports need to be submitted to government authorities, and audits are not required.

Property Taxes:

• stamp duty is 5% of the transaction amount;
• registration fee is 2% for tenants or buyers.

These conditions make Vanuatu attractive for international business and asset management. The absence of tax obligations allows investors to optimize their finances efficiently.

Passport Renewal Rules

Vanuatu passports are issued for 10 years, after which they need to be renewed. It is necessary to contact the Vanuatu Consulate 2 months before the expiration date. The renewal fee is $500. The process is simple and does not require significant time investment. The main steps include:

• submitting the renewal application;
• providing documents;
• paying the state fee.

The procedure takes up to 2 weeks. Passport renewal does not require re-verification of documents or additional investments.

Reasons for Citizenship Refusal

Refusal to grant Vanuatu citizenship may occur if the candidate does not meet the established requirements or provides false information. The main reasons for refusal include:

• having a criminal record;
• providing forged documents;
• unverified income.

To avoid refusal, it is important to carefully prepare documents and ensure their authenticity. Meeting all requirements minimizes risks and increases the chances of successfully obtaining citizenship.

Conclusion

Vanuatu citizenship offers a quick and reliable way to obtain a second citizenship with minimal requirements. It opens access to visa-free travel and tax benefits. The investment program allows you to obtain a passport in just 1-2 months, making it one of the most convenient programs in the world.