Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme grants full citizenship and a Vanuatu passport to foreign nationals who make a qualifying financial contribution or real estate investment. Operating under the Citizenship Act [CAP 112] of 1980 (as amended), the programme offers four pathways: the Development Support Program (DSP), the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), the Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP — priced identically to the DSP but reserved for the China market), and the Real Estate Option (REO). It is one of the fastest CBI programmes globally, with processing in approximately 30-60 days, and does not require the applicant to reside in Vanuatu. Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship, so applicants do not need to renounce their existing nationality.
Development Support Program (DSP): Non-refundable contribution to the government development fund. USD 130,000 for a single applicant, USD 150,000 for a couple, USD 165,000 for a couple plus one child, USD 180,000 for a couple plus two children, and USD 10,000 per additional applicant.
Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP): A contribution track priced identically to the DSP but reserved for the China market.
Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP / Form D): USD 260,000 covering the main applicant, spouse and one child under 18, with USD 19,250 per additional child under 18 and USD 44,250 per dependant aged 18-21. USD 50,000 of the contribution is invested in a guaranteed fund redeemable after a holding period.
Real Estate Option (REO): Minimum real estate investment in a Vanuatu Government Approved (VGA) Project, plus prescribed government fees. Four approved projects are available on the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo.
Citizenship is permanent. The Vanuatu passport is valid for 10 years and is renewable. No residency requirement exists to obtain or maintain citizenship.
Eligible dependants include a spouse, children under 18, children aged 18-25 if financially dependent or full-time students, and parents over 50 if financially dependent. All dependants receive the same citizenship status and passport as the main applicant. Each pathway has its own fee structure for dependants -- the DSP/VCP increases the contribution amount (e.g. +USD 10,000 per additional applicant), the CIIP charges USD 19,250 per additional child under 18 and USD 44,250 per dependant aged 18-21, and the REO adds per-dependant fees on top of the property investment.
Vanuatu has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax, and no withholding tax on dividends or interest. Obtaining Vanuatu citizenship alone does not change tax obligations in the applicant's country of actual residence, as most countries determine tax residency based on physical presence or domicile.
Applications must be submitted through authorised agents appointed by the Vanuatu government. The process begins with paying the non-refundable FIU due diligence fee of USD 5,000 per application (plus a base application fee of 5,000 Vatu per applicant and a processing charge of USD 40 for DSP/REO or USD 250 for CIIP) and submitting all required documents. The Financial Intelligence Unit conducts comprehensive due diligence screening under an enhanced process. The citizenship contribution is payable only after the Commission approves the application. Biometric submission is required either in Vanuatu or at an authorised overseas office. Following biometrics, the citizenship certificate and 10-year passport are issued. The entire process typically takes 30-60 days.