The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to obtain a second passport in the world. It was launched in 2017. The main purpose of issuing “Golden Passports” is to attract capital for infrastructure development, support social projects and increase the sustainability of the economy.
In 2025, the program continues to operate through several mechanisms:
- Development Support Program (DSP);
- Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP);
- Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP);
- Real Estate Option (REO).
The main flow of applications is through DSP, which is aimed at investors from Europe, Asia and the CIS countries. The contribution starts from $130,000 for one applicant, for a family of 4 people the amount increases to $180,000 dollars. For large families, $15,000–25,000 is added for each additional participant.
According to official data, several thousand passports have been issued during the program period. In 2024 alone, according to the Government of Vanuatu, more than 1,500 passports were issued to new investors and their family members. The total amount of funds raised exceeded $100 million.
The legal basis of the program is set out in Chapter 112 of the Law on Citizenship, Decree No. 215 of the Government of Vanuatu, as well as Order No. 8 of 2023. All details and procedures are regulated by these regulations.
Advantages of Vanuatu citizenship
- Fast delivery time. The passport is issued in 1-2 months;
- Minimum investment threshold (from $130,000);
- Visa-free trips (visa-free trips to more than 100 countries);
- No accommodation requirements;
- Dual citizenship is allowed;
- Optimization of the tax burden (instead of taxes – a fixed annual fee);
- A program for the whole family;
- Simplified registration (without exams, interviews, and knowledge of the country’s history).
- Options for the return of part of the investment.
- The prospect of obtaining a visa to the United States. With a Vanuatu passport, you can apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa for 5 years with the right
to stay in the country for up to 180 days per year.
Investment options for obtaining citizenship
At the beginning of 2025, the country’s authorities have retained two ways to obtain a “Golden Passport”. Contributions to the CNO Future Fund for cocoa production are currently not accepted.
Irrevocable contribution to the National Development Fund
The classic scheme is an irrevocable donation to a state fund. The minimum amount for one applicant is $130,000. For a married couple – $150,000, a family of 3 – $165,000, of four – $180,000. For each additional family member (starting from the fifth), an additional payment is $15,000. An additional security check is paid ($5,500 per family) and bank fees (5% of the investment amount).
Contribution to the CNO Future Fund for coconut oil production
The option of obtaining a passport and partially refunding the invested funds. The contribution is from $157,000 (per applicant) + $25,000 for each family member (starting from the fifth). Additionally, you will have to pay an administrative fee ($8,000), a fee for making a passport. Under the terms of the program, an investor can return at least $50,000 4 years after obtaining citizenship.
Minimum investment volume and preservation conditions
The minimum threshold for obtaining a “Golden Passport” is $130,000. This amount is for the main applicant (an irrevocable contribution to the National Development Fund of the country). The threshold increases for family applications. For each additional family member (starting from the fifth), an additional payment is required – $15,000 or $25,000 (depending on the selected option).
The option of investing in the CNO Future Fund (coconut oil production) involves investments starting from $157,000 with the possibility of returning $50,000 5 years after receiving a passport.
The period of mandatory investment retention depends on the chosen scheme. No refund is provided for an irrevocable contribution to the state fund. There are no conditions for the period of ownership. After the transfer of the amount and the approval of the application, citizenship is retained indefinitely.
In the case of investments in the CNO Future Fund or similar private funds, the repayment of part of the funds is possible only after 4 years. Premature withdrawal or sale of a share before the expiration date will result in the loss of the right to return the investment portion. However, the citizenship remains valid. His deprivation is provided only if violations are detected at the stage of submitting documents or concealment of important information.
After the expiration of the five-year period and the return of part of the investments, the citizen’s status is not reviewed. The passport is saved. There are no additional requirements for residence, tax residency, or status renewal.
Additional expenses and taxes
The available options include not only an investment fee, but also mandatory fees, commissions, and related costs. The final cost consists of several items. All items of expenditure are fixed by law.
Government fees and duties:
- Due Diligence check. $5,500 per family.
- Bank fees. When paying the investment fee and the security check, a commission is charged ($275 per check and 5% of the investment amount). In total, from $6,500 to $9,000, depending on the composition of the family.
- Registration of a naturalization certificate. $86 per participant of the program.
- Application form ($43 per family).
- Fees for the production and forwarding of the passport. From $1,500 for each additional family member.
Related costs:
- Legal, migration, and financial advisory services. From $10,000 to $60,000, depending on the complexity of the case and the composition of the family.
- Transfers, notarization, photographs, bank statements, criminal record certificates. The average is $5,000 per family.
- The oath. You can take it in Vanuatu or invite an authorized representative to another country (with compensation for travel expenses).
Tax consequences of obtaining citizenship
The Vanuatu tax system is as loyal as possible to new citizens. There is no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, or property tax. The rule applies to both residents and non-residents. This makes the state attractive for optimizing the tax burden.
Vanuatu citizenship by itself does not automatically lead to the assignment of tax resident status. To do this, you need to live in the country for at least 183 days a year. Tax obligations arise only for those who become a resident (by the period of residence). For most citizens living outside of Vanuatu, tax obligations remain in the country of actual residence.
Vanuatu uses the territorial principle of taxation. Taxes are levied only on income earned in the country. Income earned abroad is not taxed in Vanuatu, even if it is received by a citizen or resident.
Requirements for the applicant and family members
The main applicant must be over 18 years old, have no criminal record or serious illnesses, and (in addition to the necessary investments) confirm the presence of assets of at least $250,000 in accounts or property.
You can include close relatives in the application.:
- Spouse (official marriage, documented);
- Children under 18 years of age;
- Children aged 18-25, if they study full-time and financially depend on the investor or his spouse;
- Parents over the age of 50 who are dependent on the investor or spouse.
The same requirements apply to all family members: no criminal record, good health, proof of kinship and financial dependence for adult children and parents. Children from previous marriages can be included in the application, but only if all necessary documents are provided and the second parent agrees, if required by law.
All participants of the program submit biometric data for the production of a passport with a chip. The procedure takes place in Vanuatu or one of the 4 consulates: Dubai, Brussels, Hong Kong, Noumea.
The inclusion of additional family members after obtaining citizenship is possible only through a new application and re-confirmation of financial requirements.
Dual citizenship
The legislation officially recognizes dual citizenship. Since 2013, amendments to the Constitution and the Law on Citizenship have been in force in the country, which allow citizens to keep their previous passport when obtaining Vanuatu citizenship. This is a key advantage for most participants in investment programs.
The procedure for obtaining dual citizenship is regulated. A new citizen must register with the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission. This is a requirement of Chapter No. 112 of the Law “On Citizenship” and Government Decree No. 215.
Procedure for obtaining
The whole process follows a clear algorithm. The period of passport registration is from 1 to 4 months. All stages are carried out remotely, personal presence is required only for the delivery of biometrics.
- Preliminary check. A licensed agent verifies the investor’s and family’s details. Risks and potential problems are being checked.
- Preparation of documents. A package of documents is being collected and translated. All papers are notarized. At this stage, a security check fee is paid.
- Verification at the FIU department. The documents are sent to the Financial Intelligence Unit. Conducting primary government analysis.
- Submitting an application and submitting biometrics. After FIU approval, the application is submitted to the Citizenship Commission. Biometric data for the passport chip is being submitted.
- Fulfillment of the investment condition. After the application is approved, the investor transfers the funds (25% immediately, 75% after approval). The payment period is up to 90 days.
- Getting a passport. After confirmation, a certificate of citizenship is issued. The passport is produced within a month and is issued after the oath.
- We will answer all your questions
- We will help you choose the best option
- We will guide you through every step or do everything for you
Application processing time
It is possible to get a passport in 1-4 months. This is faster than most investment programs in the world. Formally, the standard processing time for an application is from 2 to 5 months, but in practice, with properly assembled documents and no controversial issues, the procedure often takes 1-4 months.
How the deadlines are distributed by stages:
- Preparation and submission of documents takes 1-2 months.
- Verification and Due Diligence – 2-3 months.
- Investment payment and final approval takes 1-2 months.
Required documents
The main list of documents:
- Copies of the national and foreign passports of all participants in the application (notarized).
- Birth certificates for each applicant.
- Marriage certificate (for spouses).
- A criminal record certificate for everyone over the age of 12 (issued no earlier than 12 months before filing).
- Medical certificate of health status.
- 6 color photographs (40×50 mm) for each applicant.
- Biography in English.
- Bank account statement for the last 6 months.
- Documents confirming the origin of funds (purchase and sale agreements, income statements, asset reports, investment statements).
- Certificate of employment or proof of self-employment.
- Diplomas of education.
- Application for citizenship and application form.
Additional requirements may be required:
- Birth certificates of children, certificates of admission to the university.
- Documents confirming the financial dependence of parents or adult children.
- Certificates of divorce, change of surname, death of spouse (if applicable).
Failure and return on investment
The Citizenship by Investment program operates under strict rules. The three-stage verification includes an analysis of the source of funds, reconciliation against Interpol databases and sanctions lists. The reasons for refusal are standard for international schemes – criminal record, connection with money laundering, false information, attempt to conceal facts of biography, getting on sanctions lists or suspicion of terrorism or financial crimes.
In recent years, Vanuatu has tightened filtration. Inspections have been strengthened, the number of failures at the FIU stage has been increased, and a triple control system has been introduced with the participation of banks and independent auditors. If the application is rejected after the payment of the investment fee, the refund depends on the stage of the process.
Upon receiving a refusal, the applicant has the right to file a written complaint with the Minister of Immigration within 21 days after the refusal. The Appeals Commission examines the case within 21 working days and makes a decision. A re-submission is possible after the reasons for the refusal have been eliminated and new evidence has been provided of the reliability or legality of the source of funds.
Recent changes in the program
The program has changed several times in the last 2 years. The innovations affected the amount of investments, the repayment period, the structure of fees and the process of identifying applicants. The main changes included:
- Changing the minimum investment amounts. In 2025, the minimum contribution for one participant has increased. This is due to increased administrative costs and increased control over the origin of funds.
- Updating the conditions for contributions for families.
- Reduction of the CIIP return period. In 2024, the period of mandatory ownership of investments in the Sustainable Cocoa Fund (CSF) has been reduced from 5 to 4 years.
- Unification of fees for verification of trustworthiness. The Due Diligence fee for CIIP and DSP programs is now $5,500.
- The review period has been extended to 14 days for a more thorough analysis of candidates.
- Introduction of new requirements for biometrics and identification. From September 1, 2024, all citizens of Vanuatu (including investors) are required to undergo a personal interview and submit biometric data when applying for a passport.
Despite the changes in recent years, the program remains one of the fastest in the economic citizenship market, while remaining open to international investors.
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