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Citizenship by investment
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
Donate from USD 130,000 with fast processing, and your whole family receives Vanuatu citizenship and passports.
Reviewed by Fergus Wu · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment programme is mainly through a donation, and processing is among the fastest of the citizenship by investment programmes. Vanuatu levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax. Please note that Vanuatu passports have required a UK visa since July 2023 and a Schengen visa since February 2025.
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DonationUSD 130,000 (single applicant)
ProcessingUsually within a few months
Stay requirementNo need to relocate
TaxNo personal income tax
Summary
The main route to Vanuatu citizenship is a donation to the Development Support Program: USD 130,000 for a single applicant, rising with the number of family members. Applicants must pass due diligence and register biometrics. Vanuatu passports no longer have visa-free Schengen access.
Key benefits of Vanuatu citizenship
- Low contributionUSD 130,000 for a single applicant; USD 150,000 for a couple and USD 180,000 for a family of four.
- Fast processingApproval in principle usually takes about two to three months, depending on due diligence.
- No need to relocateNo residence requirement before or after citizenship; you do not need to live there.
- No personal income taxVanuatu has no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax.
- Dependent parents includedCovers your spouse, children under 18, dependent children under 25 and parents over 50 who live with you.
- Dual citizenship allowedNo need to give up your current nationality, subject to your home country's rules.
Why Global Immigrate for Vanuatu citizenship
- families approved
- 6+
- approval rate
- 100%
- offering this programme since
- 2019
Due diligence preparation
We review your background and source-of-funds documents in advance, reducing requests for more information and delays.
Comparing several countries
We compare total costs and what each passport can do for you — based on your travel needs, family size and budget — rather than selling a single programme.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- A donation to the Development Support Program from USD 130,000 (single applicant)
- Application through an authorised agent
- Due diligence passed and biometrics registered
- No criminal record
Investment rules
Investment requirements in detail
Vanuatu citizenship by investment is mainly through a non-refundable contribution to the government under the Development Support Program (DSP), set by family size. Applications go through a designated agent; according to the official fees page, the contribution is paid only once the Citizenship Commission has approved the application.
Single applicant
Government contributionUSD 130,000
Married couple
Government contributionUSD 150,000
Couple + one child
Government contributionUSD 165,000
Couple + two children
Government contributionUSD 180,000
Each additional applicant
Government contributionUSD 10,000 (as published by the Citizenship Office)
How and when you pay
- All payments must be in US dollars; Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not accepted.
- According to the official fees page, the contribution is due only after the Citizenship Commission approves the application. There is also a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) due diligence fee of USD 5,000 (some industry sources quote USD 5,500 and a part-payment before submission); confirm the payment schedule with the designated agent.
- There is also an application fee of 5,000 vatu per application, for every applicant regardless of age or form type (Form D excepted).
- The contribution is a government charge: it is non-refundable and buys no asset or return.
Due diligence and other requirements
- Applications must go through a government-designated agent, and background and source-of-funds checks are carried out by Vanuatu's Financial Intelligence Unit.
- Biometrics must be registered and police clearance provided.
- After approval, the main applicant and spouse must take the oath of allegiance in person before a Commissioner for Oaths before the certificate of citizenship and passports are issued.
2026 regulation changes
- Amendment Orders No. 39 (DSP) and No. 40 (Contribution Programme), gazetted on 19 March 2026, change only how US dollar and Australian dollar payments are converted; contribution amounts and fees are unchanged.
- The amendments take full effect within two months of gazettal; pending applications and outstanding payments can be completed under the previous arrangements.
Based on information published by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office as at November 2026; the Vanuatu Government's rules prevail and may change.
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free Vanuatu citizenship brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
Thank you — the brochure is on its way to your inbox
If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and documents2–4 weeksWe assess your eligibility and prepare the documents.
- Application and due diligence1–2 monthsApply through an authorised agent.
- Payment and oathAfter approvalComplete payment and the oath of allegiance.
- PassportAfter approvalReceive your certificate of citizenship and passport.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Citizenship and passportAbout 3 months
You and your family receive citizenship and a passport directly, with no residence or PR stage; passports are usually renewed every 5 to 10 years. You can keep your current nationality, subject to your home country’s rules.
Residence requirementNo residence requirement
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Vanuatu citizenship client stories
Client storyVanuatu citizenship in 3 months, with the Europe visa change explained upfront
Mr Hau’s Vanuatu citizenship experience. He wanted a second passport quickly.
Read the full storyClient storyFamily costs calculated clearly, and Vanuatu citizenship for the familyMs Siu’s Vanuatu citizenship experience. She wanted second passports for the family quickly.
Read the full storyClient storyValuing the tax environment, and a Vanuatu passportMr Hong’s Vanuatu citizenship experience. He wanted a second passport and to understand the local tax environment.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Citizenship by Investment
See the Citizenship by Investment overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Citizenship by Investment | Real estate USD 400,000 (held for three years) | Citizenship and passport | Usually about 6–12 months | Citizenship through real estate |
| Grenada Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 235,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | A future US E-2 visa (after three years of residence) |
| St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 250,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | Prioritising visa-free access and a long track record |
| St Lucia Citizenship by Investment | Contribution from USD 240,000 (up to four family members) | Citizenship and passport | Recently about 12–18 months | Families prioritising Schengen access, or needing ties with Taiwan |
| Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 230,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | Covering a family at lower cost |
| Dominica Citizenship by Investment | Donation from USD 200,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually a few months | Families on a limited budget |
| Argentina Citizenship by Investment | Contribution from USD 350,000 (coming soon) | Citizenship and passport | Applications targeted for Q4 2026 | Families wanting a South American passport who can wait for the official launch |
| Vanuatu Citizenship by InvestmentThis programme | Donation USD 130,000 | Citizenship and passport | Usually within a few months | Prioritising speed and tax |
Vanuatu citizenship FAQ
Can Vanuatu passport holders still travel visa-free to Europe?
No. The EU fully suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu passports (in effect from February 2025), so a Schengen visa is needed; a UK visa has been required since 2023.
What other costs are there?
Besides the donation, there are due diligence and other government fees.
Do I need to give up my current nationality?
Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship, but please confirm whether your current country of nationality allows it.
Sources
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