Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment is an immigration program providing both citizenship and a passport in exchange for an economic investment. Thanks to recent expansions, the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program comes with full citizenship rights upon successful admission, a speedy processing period, and allows for relatives to be included in your application.
This 2024 guide explores how to get your Vanuatu passport, along with the benefits, requirements, and features of Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment.
What is the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program?
Established in 2017, this investment program is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to gain Vanuatu citizenship. With visa-free travel to 112 countries, dual nationality perks, no mandatory interviews, and passport eligibility for your entire family, Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment truly streamlines the emigration process.
To further sweeten the deal, you’ll receive your Vanuatu passport within three months. This comes without you having to pay any taxes on your income, capital gains, wealth, inheritance, or other personal/business assets.
Are you ready to take the next step to qualify for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship? If so, let’s have a look at the diverse and multifaceted investment options offered by this program.
Investment Options
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment offers the following investment options:
Vanuatu Development Support Program (VDSP): Single individuals looking to acquire a Vanuatu passport can do so by making a minimum donation of $130,000. For couples looking to make the move, a minimum donation of $150,000 is available. Of all investment options, the VDSP is the most popular.
Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF): Individuals looking to acquire Vanuatu citizenship can do so by making a minimum donation of $150,000 to the CSF. This fund is central to Vanuatu’s up-and-coming cocoa sector and after five years, $50,000 of this donation will be redeemable.
Approved real estate projects: The Vanuatu Citizenship Act’s Section 13F permits a series of investments to approved real estate projects from individuals seeking to emigrate. Donations of at least $200,000 are hence approved to obtain a Vanuatu passport:
- Milai on Espiritu Santo Island
- Pacific Springs on Efate Island
- FPF Rainbow City Project on Efate Island
- Narpow Point Coral Bay on Efate Island
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Requirements
To avoid running into any problems throughout the emigration process, you will want to make sure you are eligible for Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment and meet all the requirements. Thankfully, we can help you with that every step of the way. Below, we will explore the program’s standards for investors, dependents, and more.
Due Diligence in 2024
Investors who are looking to partake in the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program must go through background checks and other forms of scrutiny as part of due diligence. Recently, the process has evolved as part of a larger effort to improve Vanuatu’s relationship with the European Council.
As due diligence plays an increasing role in acquisitions and mergers while managing tech advantages and regulatory scrutiny, this is reflected in its current process. Now, agents approved by the European Council conduct thorough background checks, review the source of each applicant’s capital, and look into any potential criminal histories.
Any document you submit as a Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment applicant will subsequently be run through various international databases, such as the Financial Intelligence Unit Network (FIU.NET). Due diligence, to this extent, is a tried-and-true deterrent against terrorism, money laundering, and other risky liabilities to Vanuatu.
As part of the due diligence process, applicants must have no outstanding visa denials. You will also need to submit the following documentation to the Vanuatu government:
- Formal identification
- Proof of address
- Business/employment/financial records
- Police reports that prove a clear criminal record
Family Requirements
It is important for families to be aware of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment requirements. While relatives can be included in the main investor’s application, they must be a spouse, dependent child/children, and/or (a) dependent parent(s) who are older than 65.
The mandatory donation to the VDSP will also vary, depending on family size.
A family of two (married couple) will need to contribute a minimum of $150,000, while a family of three must meet a $165,000 minimum donation. For families of four, the contribution increases to at least $180,000. From this point forward, any additional family members will have to donate at least $10,000 to VDSP.
Minimum Stay Requirements
Under the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program, there are no minimum stay requirements in order to process your application. This is one of the program’s many advantages, as you will find a lot of other countries do have minimum stay requirements as a prerequisite to granting citizenship.
Step-by-Step Application for Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
Before securing your Vanuatu passport, you will need to follow a series of important steps as part of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program. We will break them down for you below.
1. Make Sure You Have the Necessary Paperwork
To first get the ball rolling, you will need to gather all the necessary documents in order to begin the application process. This includes birth certificates, passport copies, medical checkup records, marriage certificates (if applicable), and police clearance documents in countries where you’ve lived for at least 12 months within the past decade.
2. Begin Due Diligence
After you have got all the paperwork, you will next need to pay a $5,000 fee in order to jumpstart the due diligence process. This Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment cost covers the time and resources expended by the national government to conduct background checks and other verification processes.
3. Formally Submit Your Application
In order to submit your application for Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment, you will go through an approved Development Support Program (DSP) agent. This official is formally permitted by the nation’s government to handle applications for Vanuatu citizenship. You will turn over your application and the aforementioned documents to your DSP agent, who will then give them to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission (VCC).
4. Wait Two Weeks to Hear Back From the VCC
Assuming that your background check clears and you pass due diligence, the VCC will inform you within two weeks. From this point forward, the process of acquiring your Vanuatu passport speeds up significantly.
5. Pay the Full Investment
Once the VCC approves your application, you are now free to pay the full investment amount. The minimum amount will vary, depending on if you’re a single person, married, or bringing your parents and/or kids along as dependents.
6. Wait for Official Confirmation
Once you’ve made your full contribution for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program, you should receive a formal letter confirming the approval of your citizenship.
7. Formally Become a Citizen of Vanuatu
After receiving this official letter, you will then wrap up the naturalization process by taking an oath in which you swear allegiance to Vanuatu. You can do this remote, either on a video conference or otherwise online. Once you’ve taken this oath, the nearest consulate will provide your Vanuatu passport and citizenship within four weeks after you’ve taken your oath.
It is at this point that you’ll officially have gained Vanuatu citizenship.
Vanuatu Citizenship and Passport Strength
Once you complete this lengthy, yet worthwhile process, you’re in for a treat. Being a resident of this South Pacific Ocean nation comes with a series of enviable benefits.
Upon acquiring your Vanuatu passport, you will find it packs quite a punch. You’ll have visa-free access to 110 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and nations in the Schengen Area.
Completing the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program also means reaping considerable fiscal benefits. Should you start an international business in the country, it will be exempt from taxes on both income and profits. Setting up a tax presence in Vanuatu comes with a 20-year benefit as well.
It gets better, though. Vanuatu is known for its longstanding economic stability, which paves the way for international business shareholders to also avoid being taxed on their inheritance, personal income, capital gains, profits, or donations.
Of all countries around the world, the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program is revered for being simple, straightforward, and with no extra hoops (such as a language requirement) to jump through. It is especially made to facilitate entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and individual mobility.
The Wrap-Up
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to invest, enjoy cozy tax breaks, and put down roots in one of the world’s most beautiful countries.
With a series of options to accommodate both you and your family, Vanuatu goes the extra mile in streamlining what would otherwise be a daunting immigration process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How strong is the Vanuatu passport?
In 2024, Vanuatu’s passport is ranked 58th globally. Holders of the Vanuatu passport enjoy visa-free access to 94 countries.
What fees are involved with the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program?
As you work towards acquiring Vanuatu citizenship, you’ll be required to pay fees for due diligence and the investment option of your choosing. The minimum amount for the investment will vary, depending on if you’re applying just as a lone applicant or if you have a spouse and/or dependents coming to Vanuatu with you.
Does investing in Vanuatu real estate come with any benefits?
Vanuatu real estate investments come with lucrative opportunities. Aside from no income or property tax, investors enjoy diverse real estate management services and a thriving market that offers considerable returns.
How do I qualify for Vanuatu citizenship by investment?
In order to qualify for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program, you’ll need to be between the ages of 18 and 65 with no criminal record and a bank account balance of at least $250,000. As a single applicant, you’ll also be required to make an investment of at least $130,000.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment, or Vanuatu Citizenship Program, is not available to residents of North Korea, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, or Iran unless they have permanently and officially lived outside of these countries for over five consecutive years.
What else do I need to know about the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program?
When you become a Vanuatu citizen, you can benefit from its stable political environment and visa-free access to many countries, as Vanuatu citizens do. Furthermore, Vanuatu recognizes dual citizenship.
