Citizenship · Oceania
Citizenship · OceaniaVanuatu Citizenship by Investment
A fast Pacific citizenship program based on a non-refundable contribution, now without visa-free access to the Schengen area or the UK.
- Investment from
- USD 130,000
- Processing
- 1–3 months
- Family
- See the family rules
- Stay required
- To confirm
Decision summary
- What do you obtain?
- Citizenship, granted directly by the government after approval.
- What does your family invest?
- USD 130,000 for a single applicant (contribution only).
- What is additional?
- Contribution by family size: USD 150,000 for a couple, USD 165,000 with one child, USD 180,000 with two, plus a USD 5,000 due diligence fee. Confirm for your case.
Full wordingHide full wording
The Citizenship Commission's fee page lists USD 150,000 for a married couple, USD 165,000 with one child, USD 180,000 with two children and USD 10,000 per additional applicant, plus a USD 5,000 Financial Intelligence Unit due diligence fee. The page is undated and does not name the programme, so confirm the figures for each case.Full details below - How long does it take?
- Typically one to three months to passport, depending on document collection.
- Must you travel or live there?
- Information pending verification
- What is the main drawback?
- No visa-free Schengen access since December 2024; UK visa required since July 2023. Some nationalities are restricted.
- Family inclusion
- Information pending verification
- Program status
- Operational
Overview
Vanuatu grants citizenship through a non-refundable contribution under its Development Support Programme (DSP), with applications filed through agents registered with the Citizenship Commission. Processing is typically measured in weeks rather than months.
In March 2025 the Citizenship Commission suspended new applications under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan; the DSP and the Vanuatu Contribution Programme were not affected.
Travel access has narrowed: the European Union ended visa-free Schengen access for Vanuatu passport holders in December 2024, and the United Kingdom has required visas since July 2023.
Passport strength
85destinations without arranging a visa in advance
- Visa-free
- 52
- Visa on arrival
- 27
- eTA (online authorisation)
- 6
- Visa required (applied for online)
- 46
- Visa required
- 95
Key destinations
- Schengen areaVisa required
- United KingdomVisa required (applied for online)
- United StatesVisa required
- CanadaVisa required
- United Arab EmiratesVisa required (applied for online)
- ChinaVisa required
- JapanVisa required
Schengen area
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
United Arab Emirates
China
JapanTravel access data as of . Entry rules change often; confirm before you travel. Compare every programme's passport
Who this program may not suit
Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:
- Your budget is below USD 130,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
- Your current country does not allow dual citizenship, or takes yours away when you gain another. Check this before you apply.
- Your nationality is excluded by the program's rules. Check your nationality
Investment pathways
- Investment pathway
- Non-refundable contribution under the Development Support Programme; new Capital Investment Immigration Plan applications have been suspended since March 2025.
- Minimum investment
- USD 130,000 for a single applicant (contribution only).
Checked against official programme sources
Application process
- 1Applications must be lodged through a designated agent approved by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, which publishes its list of designated and cancelled agents.
- 2The agent prepares the file and pays a due diligence fee so the Financial Intelligence Unit can screen the applicant, followed by police, sanctions and other background checks.
- 3The agent lodges the application with the Citizenship Office, where officers and a compliance officer review it before an internal screening committee passes it to the Commission.
- 4The Citizenship Commission decides at its meeting, and the decision letter is issued about one week later.
- 5Within three months of approval, extendable by two months on written request, the applicant takes the oath of allegiance and pays the citizenship fee, after which the certificate is printed.
- 6The Department of Immigration and Passport Services then issues the Vanuatu passport.
Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.
Indicative timelines
- Indicative processing timeframe
- Typically one to three months to passport, depending on document collection.
Checked against official programme sources
Investment and fees
Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.
Estimate for your family
- Investment for your family
- USD 130,000
- Development Support Programme contribution
- Known total so far
- USD 135,000
- 4 cost items not yet included
Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages
Qualifying investment
- Development Support Programme contribution (single)
- USD 130,000
- Contribution (married couple)
- USD 150,000
Government & due diligence fees
- FIU due diligence fee
- USD 5,000
- Estimated additional costs
- The Citizenship Commission's fee page lists USD 150,000 for a married couple, USD 165,000 with one child, USD 180,000 with two children and USD 10,000 per additional applicant, plus a USD 5,000 Financial Intelligence Unit due diligence fee. The page is undated and does not name the programme, so confirm the figures for each case.
- To be confirmed
- Government fees · Due diligence fees · Investment holding period
Checked against official programme sources
Residence requirements
- Renewal requirements
- Not applicable — citizenship.
- Potential route to citizenship
- Not applicable — citizenship is granted directly.
- To be confirmed
- Residence requirements
Checked against official programme sources
Due diligence and documentation
Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.
Considerations, limitations and risks
Important restrictions
No visa-free Schengen access since December 2024; UK visa required since July 2023. Some nationalities are restricted.
- Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
- Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
- Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.
Status and authority
- Operational status
- Operational
- Official government authority
- Vanuatu Citizenship Commission
- Nationality restrictions
- Restricted nationalities reported as Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan. A March 2026 memo adding Russia and Sudan was withdrawn by the Citizenship Commission two days later as an error.
- To be confirmed
- Legal basis
Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can Vanuatu citizens still travel visa-free to Europe?
No. The EU ended visa-free Schengen access for Vanuatu passport holders in December 2024.
Are Russian nationals accepted?
Yes, subject to due diligence. A March 2026 memo adding Russia and Sudan to the restricted list was withdrawn two days later by the Citizenship Commission.
How fast is the process?
Often one to three months to passport, but timing is not guaranteed and depends on documents and due diligence.
What is the minimum investment for Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment?
USD 130,000 for a single applicant (contribution only).
Can my family be included?
Family inclusion rules vary and will be confirmed for your circumstances.
How long does the process take?
Typically one to three months to passport, depending on document collection.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.
Discuss Vanuatu with an advisor.
Share your objectives in confidence. An advisor will outline the options that may be relevant to your family and circumstances.