Vanuatu citizenship by investment: fast second passport for the whole family

Why do investors choose Vanuatu citizenship by investment?

Vanuatu citizenship by investment is considered by internationally mobile investors who want an additional citizenship that can work as a practical Plan B for family security and long-term flexibility, without committing to relocation at the application stage. 

Processing time is 1—4 months depending on Due Diligence and document readiness.

Second citizenship as a safe haven for family

Many investors treat an additional citizenship as a contingency tool. It provides a legal status in another country that can be activated if circumstances change in a place of primary residence, while keeping family planning central to the strategy. 

In practice, families typically look for outcomes such as:

• predictable and document-driven route to citizenship;
• option to relocate to Vanuatu if needed;
• structure that can cover family members under one application plan. 

No residence or language test requirements

A key reason Vanuatu is shortlisted is the low-friction format. The process does not require applicants to live in Vanuatu to maintain citizenship, and it does not require a language or cultural knowledge test.

This simplicity matters for HNWI/UHNWI applicants who prefer to keep operating across multiple jurisdictions while meeting compliance and documentation requirements through a licensed agent workflow. 

Dual and multiple citizenship allowed

Another practical driver is the ability to keep existing nationalities, because Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship under its legal framework. Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment pathways are grounded in the country’s constitutional recognition of dual citizenship, implemented through the Citizenship Act and its related regulation orders for each route ^[27] Source: Vanuatu Constitution Amendment — Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship .

Second citizenship for mobility and compliance-led planning

Some investors seek an additional citizenship to improve long-term mobility and reduce dependency on one travel document. This can be relevant when applicants face stricter screening or limited access to certain residence-by-investment routes due to nationality-related rules. 

Eligibility for European residence programmes is always assessed under local law and compliance checks, including sanctions screening and source-of-funds review. Applicants should confirm eligibility country by country and take legal advice before relying on any “workaround” narrative.

What are the last updates, biometrics and EU Visa Waiver changes?

Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment process has seen practical changes in travel access and in passport issuance. The most important updates affect EU travel and biometrics collection. 

EU visa waiver changes

EU travel rules for Vanuatu passport holders have become stricter. The current position is set out by the Council of the European Union. On December 12th, 2024, the Council ended the EU visa exemption for Vanuatu ^[28] Source: Council press release — adds Vanuatu to visa-required list .

This means Vanuatu citizenship is no longer a route to visa-free Schengen travel. It works better as an additional citizenship for wider mobility outside Europe and for long-term contingency planning. 

Biometrics collection

From November 2025, Vanuatu started issuing biometric passports ^[29] Source: Vanuatu COC press release — outlines biometric capturing systems . Biometrics are mandatory for all applicants, regardless of age. Applicants can submit biometrics either in Vanuatu or at an approved enrollment location abroad, including Dubai, Hong Kong, and Nouméa. 

Biometric passport replacement requires:

• valid Vanuatu passport; 
• naturalisation certificate;
• Vanuatu birth certificate;
• Vanuatu ID card. 

Government fees for a passport exchange start at $2,000 in Dubai, depending on family composition. Biometrics collection takes one day, and the new passport is usually issued within 1—3 days. The overall timeline depends on appointment availability at the biometric centre.

The birth certificate and ID card are newer requirements and became mandatory from July 2025. If the applicant does not yet have the birth certificate and ID card, obtaining these documents can take 2 weeks or more, with fees starting at $1,500, depending on the number of applicants.

Passport-process updates

Process updates have mainly focused on passport issuance mechanics and supporting documents. Vanuatu announced it would stop the overseas passport enrolment system and move issuance towards electronic passports and a new enrolment model ^[30] Source: Passport Amendment Act 2025 — electronic passport system . 

Separately, Vanuatu’s Immigration and Passport Services has been building broader digital services, such as online lodgement ^[31] Source: Immigration Online Services — online passport appointments for permits and visas and online appointments for passport lodgement. This supports the general direction towards more digital workflows.

Who can obtain Vanuatu citizenship by investment?

Vanuatu’s investment route is built around one principal applicant. It can also cover close family members in the same case or be extended later in some situations ^[32] Source: DSP Regulations Order No. 33 (2019) — family inclusion . 

Main applicant

The main applicant is the investor who files the case through a licensed agent. Basic eligibility is set through standard personal and compliance criteria, such as being over 18 and meeting financial and background checks.

Spouse, children and parents

The programme can include immediate family members as part of the application, using eligibility rules such as age and dependency status: 

1. Spouse: legally married to the main applicant. 
2. Children: up to and including 25, with additional conditions for adult dependents. 
3. Parents: over 50 and financially dependent on the main applicant or the spouse. 

For dependent children aged 18—25, the nomination paperwork specifies that eligibility depends on education status and full financial support by the principal candidate. 

Relatives after approval

After citizenship is granted, сlose family members can still be added. There is no deadline for adding relatives. Fees depend on the relationship to the main applicant: 

• $20,000 for a child under 18;
• $25,500 for children over 18 or other relatives;
• $45,500 for a spouse.

Investment options: contribution, coconut fund and cocoa fund

Costs go beyond the programme contribution. Applicants also pay for due diligence checks, a government fee for biometric data submission, fees for issuing an ID card and a birth certificate, and bank charges.

Non-refundable contribution

Under this route, the investor makes a non-refundable contribution to a state fund. The stated purpose is to support economic development and recovery from natural disasters. 

This focus on recovery is consistent with national policy work on disaster recovery coordination. Vanuatu has a National Disaster Recovery Framework, with an NRC supported by DSPPAC’s Disaster Recovery Unit ^[33] Source: DSPPAC technical support via its Disaster Recovery Unit . 

For larger families, the pricing increases from the fifth applicant onwards. Each additional family member from the fifth adds $15,000 to the contribution tier.

Costs for non-refundable contribution

Cost item	Investor	Married couple	Family of 3	Family of 4+
Contribution	$130,000	$150,000	$165,000	$180,000 + $15,000  From the 5th family member
Due Diligence	$5,500	$5,500	$5,500	$5,500
State fee for biometric data submission	$1,000+	$2,000+	$3,000+	$4,000+
ID card and birth certificate	$1,000	$2,000	$3,000	$4,000+
Bank commission (5%)	$6,875	$7,975	$8,825	$9,675+
Total	$144,375+	$167,475+	$185,325+	$203,175+

Investment in coconut oil production

This option is linked to renewable energy plans, including coconut oil as an energy source, and it has already brought over $1 million into the country. 

The option is described as including a partial refund mechanism. A portion of the amount is planned to be returned, starting at $50,000, in five years after citizenship is granted. 

Costs for contribution in coconut oil production include the contribution itself, Due Diligence, and various additional fees. From the fifth family member onwards, the contribution increases by +$26,500 per additional applicant.

Costs for contribution in coconut oil production

Cost item	Solitary investor	Married couple	Family of 3	Family of 4+
Contribution	$157,000	$157,000	$157,000	$157,000+ + $25,000  From the 5th family member
Due Diligence and administrative fees	$8,000	$8,000	$8,000	$8,000+
State fee for biometric data submission	$1,000+	$2,000+	$3,000+	$4,000+
ID card and birth certificate	$1,500	$3,000	$4,500	$6,000+
Total	$167,500+	$170,000+	$172,500+	$175,000+

Investment in cocoa production

Cocoa is a key Vanuatu export, produced by 25% of rural households, with around 1,500 tonnes exported annually. This option also includes a partial refund starting at $50,000 in five years after citizenship is granted. 

Costs for contribution in cocoa production include the contribution itself, Due Diligence, and various additional fees. From the fifth family member onwards, the contribution increases by +$25,000 per family member.

Costs for contribution in cocoa production

Cost item	Investor	Married couple	Family of 3	Family of 4+
Contribution	$159,500	$159,500	$159,500	$159,500+ + $25,000  From the 5th family member
Due Diligence fee	$5,500	$5,500	$5,500	$5,500+
State fee for biometric data submission	$1,000+	$2,000+	$3,000+	$4,000+
ID card and birth certificate	$1,000	$2,000	$3,000	$4,000+
Bank commission (5%)	$8,350+	$8,350+	$8,350+	$8,350+
Total	$175,350+	$178,350+	$180,350+	$182,350+

7 benefits of Vanuatu passport by investment

For most investors, the benefits are practical. They relate to speed, family coverage, and clear procedures. The main advantages include the following:

1. Second citizenship in 1—4 months

The programme is often described as taking 1+ month in straightforward cases. Timing depends on due diligence and document readiness. 

2. Several participation options

The minimum contribution is $130,000 for a single applicant. Besides the standard contribution route, there are fund-based options starting at $157,000. This adds flexibility for applicants who compare payment structures. 

3. Family members can apply together

A spouse, children, and parents are all eligible to apply along with the main investor. This is useful for family-focused planning. 

Children can be included up to and including 25, and parents can be included if they are over 50 and financially dependent. These rules reduce uncertainty at the scoping stage. 

4. Predictable process

A due diligence stage is built into the process flow. It starts with preliminary screening and continues through FIU review. 

5. Biometrics can be done outside Vanuatu

Applicants can submit biometrics in Dubai, Hong Kong, or Nouméa, depending on logistics. This can reduce travel friction for family cases. 

6. Dual citizenship is recognised by law

Vanuatu formally recognises dual citizenship under its constitutional framework. This matters for applicants who want to keep existing nationalities.

7. Visa-free travel to 90+ countries 

Mobility is best described using a recognised index. The Passport Index lists Vanuatu with a mobility score of 96 destinations ^[34] Source: Passport Index — Vanuatu . This total includes 46 visa-free, 46 visa-on-arrival, and 4 eTA destinations.

Visa requirements for Vanuatu passport holders

No.	Country	Entry requirement	Stay
1	Angola	Visa-free	30 days
2	Antigua and Barbuda	Visa-free	180 days
3	Armenia	Visa on arrival	120 days
4	Bahamas	Visa-free	90 days
5	Barbados	Visa-free	180 days
6	Belarus	Visa-free	30 days
7	Belize	Visa-free	—
8	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Visa-free	90 days
9	Botswana	Visa-free	90 days
10	Burundi	Visa on arrival	30 days
11	Cambodia	Visa on arrival	30 days
12	Cape Verde	Visa on arrival	—
13	Comoros	Visa on arrival	45 days
14	Congo (Dem. Rep.)	Visa on arrival	7 days
15	Costa Rica	Visa-free	30 days
16	Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)	eTA	90 days
17	Djibouti	Visa on arrival	90 days
18	Dominica	Visa-free	180 days
19	Ecuador	Visa-free	90 days
20	Egypt	Visa on arrival	30 days
21	El Salvador	Visa-free	180 days
22	Eswatini	Visa-free	30 days
23	Fiji	Visa-free	120 days
24	Gabon	Visa on arrival	90 days
25	Gambia	Visa-free	90 days
26	Georgia	Visa on arrival	—
27	Grenada	Visa-free	90 days
28	Guatemala	Visa-free	90 days
29	Guinea	Visa on arrival	90 days
30	Guinea-Bissau	Visa on arrival	90 days
31	Guyana	Visa on arrival	—
32	Haiti	Visa-free	90 days
33	Honduras	Visa-free	90 days
34	Hong Kong	Visa-free	90 days
35	India	Visa on arrival	30 days
36	Indonesia	Visa on arrival	—
37	Iran	Visa on arrival	30 days
38	Israel	eTA	90 days
39	Jamaica	Visa-free	—
40	Jordan	Visa on arrival	30 days
41	Kazakhstan	Visa on arrival	—
42	Kenya	Visa-free	90 days
43	Kiribati	Visa-free	90 days
44	Kosovo	Visa-free	90 days
45	Kyrgyzstan	Visa on arrival	—
46	Laos	Visa on arrival	30 days
47	Lesotho	Visa-free	90 days
48	Macao	Visa on arrival	30 days
49	Madagascar	Visa on arrival	90 days
50	Malawi	Visa on arrival	30 days
51	Malaysia	Visa-free	30 days
52	Maldives	Visa on arrival	30 days
53	Marshall Islands	Visa on arrival	90 days
54	Mauritania	Visa on arrival	90 days
55	Mauritius	Visa-free	90 days
56	Micronesia	Visa-free	30 days
57	Moldova	Visa-free	90 days
58	Mongolia	Visa on arrival	—
59	Mozambique	Visa on arrival	30 days
60	Namibia	Visa on arrival	90 days
61	Nauru	Visa on arrival	90 days
62	Nepal	Visa on arrival	150 days
63	Nicaragua	Visa-free	90 days
64	Nigeria	Visa on arrival	90 days
65	Oman	Visa on arrival	—
66	Pakistan	Visa on arrival	—
67	Palau	Visa on arrival	30 days
68	Palestinian Territories	Visa-free	—
69	Panama	Visa-free	90 days
70	Papua New Guinea	Visa on arrival	60 days
71	Peru	Visa-free	180 days
72	Philippines	Visa-free	30 days
73	Qatar	Visa on arrival	—
74	Russian Federation	Visa-free	90 days
75	Rwanda	Visa-free	30 days
76	Saint Kitts and Nevis	eTA	90 days
77	Saint Lucia	Visa-free	42 days
78	Samoa	Visa on arrival	90 days
79	Senegal	Visa on arrival	30 days
80	Seychelles	eTA	90 days
81	Sierra Leone	Visa on arrival	30 days
82	Singapore	Visa-free	30 days
83	Solomon Islands	Visa on arrival	45 days
84	Somalia	Visa on arrival	—
85	South Korea	Visa on arrival	—
86	South Sudan	Visa on arrival	90 days
87	Sri Lanka	Visa on arrival	30 days
88	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	Visa-free	90 days
89	Suriname	Visa on arrival	90 days
90	Tajikistan	Visa on arrival	—
91	Tanzania	Visa-free	90 days
92	Thailand	Visa on arrival	15 days
93	Timor-Leste	Visa on arrival	30 days
94	Tonga	Visa on arrival	31 days
95	Trinidad and Tobago	Visa-free	—
96	Tuvalu	Visa on arrival	30 days

Vanuatu passport validity and renewal

Vanuatu passports are issued with a 10-year validity period, after which the holder applies for a new passport ^[35] Source: Vanuatu passport FAQ — passport renewal .

The renewal process includes applying on the correct form, submitting the required documents and photos, and returning the old passport because Vanuatu travel documents are treated as property of the Republic under the Passports Act framework. In some cases, applicants may also need to submit biometrics to obtain a new-format passport.

If the holder is overseas, applications can be lodged through Heads of Mission or sent online to the department’s email with payment.

Additional services provided by Passportivity beyond obtaining the passport

The service does not end when citizenship is approved. Many investor-citizens need post-approval support to keep documents valid, update family status, and set up practical arrangements in Vanuatu.

Typical post-approval services include:

1. Passport renewal.
2. Replacement passport in case of loss.
3. Civil document support, including obtaining a birth certificate when required for passport processing or updates.
4. Adding family members after approval, where permitted under programme rules.
5. Company registration in Vanuatu, including company name registration.
6. Bank account opening support, noting that personal presence may be required by the bank.
7. Driving licence support.
8. SIM card arrangement for local connectivity.

Tax optimisation and business opportunities in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is often chosen for its simple tax landscape ^[36] Source: Customs and Inland Revenue — Vanuatu taxes . The key point is that the “zero-tax” narrative mainly refers to the absence of direct taxes on personal income and to specific exemptions available to international companies under Vanuatu’s offshore company legislation. 

0% tax rates

Vanuatu is often used in international planning because several direct taxes are not charged. The following taxes are not charged in Vanuatu:

• personal income tax;
• capital gains tax;
• inheritance, real estate, and gift-type taxes;
• income taxes for an international company for 20 years from registration. 

Instead of income-based taxation, an international company that continues its registration must pay an annual registration fee of $300.

At the same time, Vanuatu does collect revenue through indirect taxes, including VAT at 15% on most goods and services supplied in Vanuatu by VAT-registered persons.

Tax residence in Vanuatu

Citizenship does not automatically make a person a tax resident. Tax residence depends on legal tests set by Vanuatu’s tax framework.

To be treated as a resident individual, a person must meet at least one of the statutory tests set out in the law:

• you have your home in Vanuatu during the year; 
• you are present in Vanuatu for 183 days in any 12-month period that starts or ends in the calendar year;
• you are a Vanuatu citizen working as an officer or employee of the Government or a public authority. 

In practice, you may also need supporting paperwork for tax administration steps. For example, when applying for a Tax Identification Number, a non-citizen must provide a certified copy of a residency visa or work permit. 

Risks and limitations of Vanuatu citizenship by investment

Vanuatu citizenship by investment can be a practical Plan B. It also comes with trade-offs that applicants should factor into due diligence and budgeting:

1. Visa-free access can change. The Council of the EU removed Vanuatu from the EU visa-exempt list on 12 December 12th, 2024, so Vanuatu nationals now need a visa to enter the EU. 
2. Reputation and compliance scrutiny are part of the package. The EU linked its decision to risks connected to investor citizenship schemes. This affects how the programme is perceived by counterparties such as banks and immigration authorities. 
3. Biometrics add logistics and cost. Applicants and family members must submit biometrics in Vanuatu or at representative offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, or Nouméa. Fees vary by location, and alternatives may require a consular visit arranged separately. 
4. Policy changes can add new requirements midstream. Programme rules and procedures are updated over time. Applicants should confirm the current document set and fee schedule before submission.

IMF reporting has flagged a sharp reduction in Economic Citizenship Program revenues and notes that revenues have fallen well below the authorities’ targets. The next chart illustrates how programme revenues weakened in the period when external travel conditions tightened and scrutiny increased.

How and when can investors recover part of their investment?

Private fund options are described as returnable. Investors contribute to the economy and receive shares in the funds in exchange. These assets may generate income and can be sold.

The programme materials describe a planned minimum return of $50,000 after the holding period. The amount may be higher if the fund pays dividends. Some materials cite an indicative return range of 2—4%, but this is not a guarantee and depends on fund performance and terms.

To request a partial return, investors must keep their shares for five years after citizenship is granted. The buyback is described as being funded from the fund’s reserve capital.

What are the key takeaways about Vanuatu citizenship by investment?

1. Vanuatu citizenship by investment is primarily used for speed, simplicity, and family Plan B planning, not as a “Europe travel” solution.
2. Recent programme changes focus on process modernisation, including mandatory biometrics and updated passport documentation requirements.
3. Core budgeting is driven by the programme contribution of at least $130,000, plus due diligence, biometrics fees, identity documents, and bank charges.
4. Spouses, children, and parents may qualify, and some relatives can be added after approval under published fee rules.
5. Vanuatu’s tax profile is built around no personal income tax and other direct-tax absences, while relying on indirect taxes such as VAT.