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Vanuatu's citizenship by investment framework has long been known for comparatively efficient processing and the absence of a minimum residence period under its investment-based routes. Applicants should, however, assess the programme on the basis of its current benefits rather than historic passport access. In particular, Vanuatu citizens no longer benefit from visa-free travel to the Schengen Area or the United Kingdom.
What every applicant should know before proceeding: Vanuatu passports do not currently provide visa-free access to the Schengen Area or the United Kingdom. The European Union fully suspended Vanuatu's visa waiver from 4 February 2023 and subsequently removed Vanuatu from the EU's visa-exempt list, following the Council's decision of 12 December 2024 and Regulation (EU) 2025/11. The United Kingdom separately introduced a visa requirement for Vanuatu nationals from 19 July 2023. These changes remain an important consideration when assessing the international mobility offered by Vanuatu citizenship.
What the Programme Still Delivers
Vanuatu remains one of the comparatively streamlined citizenship by investment jurisdictions. Straightforward applications have historically been completed more quickly than many traditional naturalisation processes, although no fixed processing period should be treated as guaranteed. Depending on the route, due diligence, documentation, investment completion and administrative processing, the overall process is commonly described as taking approximately two to four months.
The investment-based routes do not generally require applicants to establish a minimum period of residence in Vanuatu. Applicants should nevertheless confirm the current procedural requirements for completing the Oath of Allegiance, including whether travel to Vanuatu is required for their particular application.
The main applicant is not generally subject to the language or educational requirements applicable to certain ordinary naturalisation categories. All applicants remain subject to the applicable eligibility, identity, financial and due diligence requirements.
Current Visa Access: What Changed and When
The international travel position of a Vanuatu passport has changed materially in recent years. In particular, the passport no longer provides the Schengen and UK visa-free access that was previously associated with the programme:
- March 2022: the European Union introduced a partial suspension of Vanuatu's visa exemption in response to concerns relating to its investor citizenship programmes
- 4 February 2023: the EU suspension was extended so that Vanuatu nationals became subject to visa requirements for short stays in the Schengen Area
- 19 July 2023: the United Kingdom introduced a visa requirement for Vanuatu nationals
- 12 December 2024: the Council of the European Union decided to remove Vanuatu from the EU visa-exempt list, with the change subsequently reflected in Regulation (EU) 2025/11
Vanuatu citizens continue to benefit from visa-free, visa-on-arrival or other facilitated entry arrangements in a range of jurisdictions, but the exact position depends on the destination and may change without notice. Applicants for whom European or UK mobility is a principal objective should take the current visa requirements into account before choosing Vanuatu citizenship.
Legal Basis
Vanuatu citizenship is governed principally by the Citizenship Act [CAP 112], the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu, subsequent amendments, regulations and orders. The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission is responsible for administering the citizenship framework. The Development Support Program is subject to the Citizenship (Development Support Program) Regulations Order No. 33 of 2019, while separate statutory provisions and orders apply to other investment-based routes, including the Capital Investment Immigration Plan and the Real Estate Option Program.
Investment Routes
Vanuatu currently provides several investment-based pathways to citizenship, including the Development Support Program (DSP), the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), and the Real Estate Option Program (REO). Each route has its own investment or contribution structure, prescribed government fees, due diligence requirements and application procedures. Applicants should obtain a current written cost breakdown for the chosen route and family composition before proceeding.
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| A. Development Support Program (DSP) Most Popular | The current government fee schedule lists $130,000 for a single applicant, $150,000 for a married couple, $165,000 for a married couple with one child, and $180,000 for a married couple with two children. An additional applicant is currently subject to a further $10,000 government-mandated amount. A separate FIU due diligence fee and other applicable charges should also be taken into account. |
| B. Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) | The CIIP is an investment-based citizenship route operated through authorised structures and designated agents. The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission currently identifies approved CIIP agents and associated investment vehicles. The investment amount, applicable government fees, investment period, redemption arrangements and financial risks depend on the approved structure selected and should be confirmed in writing before an application is made. |
| C. Real Estate Option Program (REO) | The Real Estate Option Program requires an applicant to purchase property in a Vanuatu Government Approved Project and pay the applicable prescribed fees. The Citizenship Commission currently lists four approved projects: Pacific Springs, Narpow Point Coral Bay, FPF Rainbow City Project, and Milai. Applications under the REO are processed in accordance with the programme's authorised structure. |
Contribution or investment figures do not necessarily represent the total cost of an application. Government charges, FIU due diligence fees, processing costs, authorised-agent fees and additional dependant costs may apply depending on the route and family composition. A current written fee breakdown should be obtained before proceeding.
DSP Versus CIIP
The DSP is a contribution-based route with published government-mandated amounts for common family compositions. The CIIP follows a different investment structure involving an approved investment vehicle. Its economics therefore cannot be compared with the DSP solely by reference to a headline figure. Applicants considering the CIIP should review the current investment amount, government charges, holding or redemption conditions, investment risks and total non-recoverable cost before selecting a route.
Compare the DSP and CIIP Routes for Your Family
Send us your family composition and we will assess the current cost structure and application requirements for the available routes.
Get in Touch Call Us: +90 532 132 92 33 [email protected]The Application Process
The precise procedure depends on the investment route selected, but an application will generally involve the following stages:
- Initial eligibility assessment and selection of the appropriate citizenship route
- Preparation of the required identity, financial, source-of-funds and supporting documentation
- Submission of the application through the authorised or designated programme structure
- Government, compliance and Financial Intelligence Unit due diligence checks, as applicable
- Consideration of the application by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission
- Completion of the required contribution or investment and applicable government payments in accordance with the selected route
- Completion of the Oath of Allegiance in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Citizenship Commission
- Issuance of the citizenship certificate and subsequent passport application
The Citizenship Commission's published materials concerning oath procedures should be checked at the time of application. Applicants residing outside Vanuatu should not assume that the oath can necessarily be completed remotely; the applicable procedure and whether travel is required should be confirmed before proceeding.
Timeline
Straightforward investment-based applications have historically been completed more quickly than many traditional citizenship processes, with indicative total timelines often described in the region of two to four months. This is not a guaranteed government processing period. Due diligence, documentation, family composition and the investment route selected can materially affect timing.
What the Citizenship Provides
- Access to a second citizenship and Vanuatu passport, subject to completion of the applicable legal process
- Visa-free, visa-on-arrival or facilitated travel to a range of destinations, although the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom are not currently visa-free for Vanuatu nationals
- No minimum period of residence in Vanuatu generally required under the investment-based routes described on this page
- Comparatively streamlined processing, although no fixed completion period is guaranteed
- No personal income tax or capital gains tax imposed by Vanuatu, together with the absence of estate or death duties under the current domestic tax framework
- Recognition of dual citizenship under Vanuatu law, subject also to the law of the applicant's other country or countries of nationality
- No general language or educational qualification requirement for the main applicant under the investment-based routes
Family Members Who Can Be Included
Depending on the route and the circumstances of the family, an application may include a spouse, children and other qualifying dependants. Eligibility, age and dependency requirements vary according to the applicable rules and may be amended over time. Additional family members may also affect the required government contribution, investment amount, due diligence charges and other fees. The criteria applicable to the specific family should therefore be confirmed before an application is submitted.
Family members included in an application remain subject to the identity, compliance and due diligence requirements applicable to their circumstances. Age-specific due diligence requirements should be confirmed against the current programme rules rather than assumed from historic programme guides.
Nationality and Eligibility Restrictions
Eligibility for Vanuatu citizenship by investment may be affected by nationality, residence history, sanctions exposure, source of funds, criminal history, security considerations and the outcome of enhanced due diligence. Restrictions and administrative policies can change. Accordingly, applicants should obtain confirmation of current eligibility before entering into an investment arrangement, transferring substantial funds or commencing the formal application process.
Tax Position for Citizens and Residents
Vanuatu does not currently impose personal income tax or capital gains tax on individuals and does not impose estate or death duties under its domestic tax framework. Other taxes, duties, licences and indirect taxes, including VAT and transaction-related charges, may nevertheless apply.
Vanuatu citizenship does not by itself determine an individual's tax residence. A person may remain fully taxable in another country depending on where they reside, work, carry on business, own assets or otherwise meet that jurisdiction's tax-residence rules. Applicants should therefore obtain tax advice based on their personal circumstances rather than treating citizenship as a substitute for tax-residence planning.
Why Work With Ketenci & Ketenci on Vanuatu
Our advice is based on the current legal and mobility position of Vanuatu citizenship rather than historic passport-access figures or headline marketing claims.
- Current mobility assessment: we explain the destinations for which Vanuatu nationals currently require visas as well as the travel benefits that remain available
- Route comparison: we assess the DSP, CIIP and other available structures in light of the applicant's family composition and objectives
- Cost analysis: we distinguish headline investment or contribution amounts from government fees, due diligence costs and other applicable charges
- Eligibility checks: nationality, sanctions, source-of-funds and other eligibility issues can be considered before substantial commitments are made
- End-to-end coordination: we assist with documentation, application preparation, due diligence requirements, investment-stage coordination and completion formalities
- Multilingual team: English, Turkish, Arabic, and Mandarin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vanuatu Citizenship
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This page provides general information and does not constitute legal, investment or tax advice. Investment thresholds, government fees, dependant rules, eligibility restrictions, programme procedures and international visa policies may change. Applicants should obtain advice based on their individual circumstances and confirm the current programme requirements before making any investment or transferring funds.