Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Investment from
USD 130,000
Timeline
2–3 months
Visa-free access
90 countries
Residency required
None
Programme Overview
Vanuatu's Development Support Programme (DSP) is one of the faster citizenship-by-investment routes still marketed globally: a non-refundable government contribution, remote due diligence, and — when files are clean — a passport timeline measured in months rather than years. There is no physical residency requirement to obtain or keep citizenship under the DSP route as commonly structured.
Speed is the headline. The trade-off is mobility quality: Vanuatu's passport ranks well below the five Caribbean CBI programmes on visa-free access, and EU Schengen and UK entry rules for Vanuatu citizens have tightened in recent years. Anyone choosing Vanuatu primarily for European or UK travel should verify the current visa position for Vanuatu nationals before applying — not rely on older marketing.
Passport Nexus helps clients decide whether Vanuatu's speed and cost profile fit their goals, or whether a Caribbean or residency-first European route is the better fit — then coordinates filing only through appropriately authorised channels.
Key Benefits
Investment Details
Official DSP government fees: USD 130,000 single, USD 150,000 married couple, USD 165,000 couple + 1 child, USD 180,000 couple + 2 children, plus USD 10,000 per additional applicant. FIU due diligence is USD 5,000 per application. Agent and passport fees are extra.
Investment Options
DSP contribution — single applicant
USD 130,000
Non-refundable government contribution for a main applicant. Due-diligence (FIU) fees — commonly cited around USD 5,000 per application — plus agent, passport, and courier fees are extra. Confirm the official fee schedule on the day you file.
DSP contribution — married couple
USD 150,000
Main applicant plus spouse on the commonly published tier schedule — confirm current figures with the Citizenship Office.
DSP contribution — family tiers
USD 165,000–180,000+
Couple plus one dependent commonly quoted at USD 165,000, couple plus two at USD 180,000, with additional dependants around +USD 10,000 each. Dependent definitions vary — verify with the authorised agent before quoting a family package.
Passport Mobility
Verify current EU Schengen and UK travel requirements before applying.
Source: Henley Passport Index. Figures approximate and subject to change.
Application Process
Eligibility & screening
Soft KYC — dual-citizenship conflicts, source-of-funds readiness, and whether Vanuatu mobility actually fits your destinations.
Authorised agent engagement
DSP applications are filed through licensed/authorised channels, not direct consumer filing. You should receive a written fee schedule covering contribution, FIU due diligence, and professional fees.
Document pack
Passports, civil-status documents, police certificates, proof of address, CV/business background, and a source-of-funds narrative with bank evidence. Translations/apostilles as required.
Due-diligence payment & FIU checks
The FIU fee is paid up front and background screening proceeds. Incomplete source-of-funds files are the usual cause of delay.
Approval in principle & contribution
On approval, remit the government contribution per official instructions — use only designated accounts.
Certificate & passport
Citizenship certificate issues, then the passport application. Clean files are commonly quoted at about 2–3 months end-to-end; complex diligence can take longer.
Post-issuance
Store originals securely, calendar passport renewals, and re-check visa rules before travel to EU/UK or other sensitive destinations.
Eligibility & Disqualifiers
- Main applicant 18+ with a clean serious criminal record
- Must pass FIU / international due diligence — undisclosed issues are the most common failure
- Lawful, documentable source of funds and source of wealth
- Applications go through an authorised agent — direct self-filing is not the normal DSP path
- Do not rely on EU/UK visa-free access as a programme benefit — verify the live rules
- Vanuatu citizenship does not change your tax residence — get independent tax advice
- Spouse and dependent children commonly includable — confirm dependent age/dependence rules
Things to Know
Verify current mobility for your target destinations before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is Vanuatu citizenship by investment?
Clean DSP files are commonly quoted at about 2–3 months from complete submission to passport. Diligence queries, slow police certificates, or banking delays add time — ask for a file-specific estimate rather than a marketing minimum.
Do I need to live in Vanuatu?
The standard DSP route is marketed with no physical residency requirement to obtain citizenship. Confirm the current legal basis and any oath or ceremony logistics with your agent.
Can Vanuatu citizens travel visa-free to the EU or UK?
Do not assume yes. Schengen and UK access for Vanuatu passport holders has been restricted relative to older marketing. Check the live visa rules for Vanuatu nationals before choosing this programme for European or UK travel — if that mobility is the priority, compare the Caribbean programmes first.
What does the USD 130,000 cover?
That is the commonly published government contribution for a single main applicant. It does not automatically include FIU due diligence (often cited around USD 5,000 per application), agent fees, passport fees, translations, or courier. Families pay higher contribution tiers — demand an itemised quote.
Is Vanuatu a tax haven if I get the passport?
Vanuatu levies no personal income, capital gains, or inheritance tax in the classic offshore framing — but citizenship is not the same as tax residence. Obligations in the country where you live or hold assets still apply. Get independent tax advice before relying on any "tax haven" claim.
How does Vanuatu compare to Caribbean CBI?
Vanuatu is usually cheaper at the single-applicant government floor and often faster. The Caribbean programmes typically offer stronger visa-free mobility, particularly toward Europe. Choose on destination access and risk tolerance, not price alone.
Programme Facts
- Programme type
- Citizenship by Investment
- Residency requirement
- None
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Family inclusion
- Spouse, dependent children
- Tax benefits
- No income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax
- Official source
- Government website
- Data checked
- 2026-09-29
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