Short answer: Vanuatu citizenship by investment is donation-led, with single-applicant public floors often from about USD 130,000 (confirm the official table) and relatively fast processing among CBI options. Since December 2024, Vanuatu passport holders generally need visas for the Schengen Area, the UK and Ireland—European visa-free access is no longer the main selling point. It fits budget-sensitive applicants who need a second passport quickly and do not rely on Schengen travel.
Core features
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Donation; relatively low for singles |
| Speed | Relatively fast; still diligence and RFE dependent |
| Schengen / UK / Ireland | Visa required |
| Tax setting | Local personal-tax treatment needs case review |
| Residence | CBI usually has no long stay duty |
Family totals must include government, diligence and document fees—not only the principal’s donation.
Who still considers Vanuatu?
Applicants who mainly want a second passport quickly, asset structuring or selected non-European visa-free lists—not visa-free Europe. If Schengen access is essential, prioritise St Kitts, Antigua, Grenada, Dominica and similar programmes that still offer it.
Risks
Visa-free lists can change again; donations are non-refundable; diligence still applies. Marketing “guaranteed passport in X days” should not be the sole contractual basis—use official and licensed written terms.
Global Immigrate note
List the countries you truly need visa-free, then test whether Vanuatu still matches. If speed matters more than European visa-free travel, compare total cash and diligence time. Tie payments to diligence milestones; avoid large non-refundable sums early.
Information current as of October 2026.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. See Vanuatu CBI.