How much to invest in obtaining a Vanuatu passport
The applicant makes a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund. The investment is at least $130,000, enough to get a passport only for an investor.
To be eligible for the Vanuatu citizenship program, investors need to show the presence of $250,000 in the account, though their expenses under the program are usually much less. Still, the Vanuatu government wants to ensure that the investor has enough funds to support himself and his family and will not spend all his savings on participating in the program.
The investor's relatives can obtain Vanuatu citizenship: their spouse, children under 25 years old and parents over 50 years old. The larger the family, the higher the cost of obtaining a second passport.
Investment under the Vanuatu citizenship program
| $130,000 | Investor alone |
| $150,000 | Married couple |
| $165,000 | Family of 3 people |
| $180,000 | ♀️ Family of 4 people |
| $15,000 | For each child or parent, starting from the fifth family member |
Sample calculation. If the investor includes his wife, three children, and his father in the application, he will contribute $150,000 to the fund for himself and his spouse, $45,000 for his children, and another $15,000 for his father. Vanuatu citizenship by investment costs $210,000 for the whole family.
Relatives can become Vanuatu citizens after the investor has received a passport. The cost of joining the program for a spouse is $42,000, while for a child or parent, it is $15,000.
Additional expenses under the Vanuatu citizenship program
In addition to the investment, the applicant pays legal services and government fees. In the first case, the costs depend on the situation, while payments to the state are always the same.
The most significant fee is paid for a Due Diligence check. This is a mandatory stage of any citizenship or residence permit by investment program. The applicant's documents are checked to ascertain the purity of their reputation and the legal origin of the money for investment.
Fees under the Vanuatu program
| Fee | Amount |
| Due Diligence | $5,000 for the family |
| Submission of the application | $43 for the family |
| Issuance of a certificate of naturalization | $86 for each family member included |
Another expense item is the oath. The investor can take an oath of allegiance in Vanuatu or invite the commissioner for oaths and migration officer to a place convenient for the applicant. In the second case, the trip's cost need to be compensated.
Benefits of Vanuatu citizenship by investment
Vanuatu citizenship is popular with cosmopolitans. For example, in 2020, the applications of 840 investors were approved. Their investments brought the country 106 million dollars. The program department expected 40 million dollars less in revenue.
Vanuatu citizenship benefits include but are not limited to:
- Visa-free travels to 95 countries, including the UK, Singapore and other countries.
- 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa to the USA.
- Scholarships at British universities.
- Tax optimization for individuals and companies.
Learn the benefits, conditions and specifics of the Vanuatu investment program
How to get Vanuatu citizenship by investment: terms and procedure
Vanuatu passports by investment are obtained within 1—2 months. It is possible because Due Diligence under the program takes no more than 2 weeks. However, the Vanuatu government announced that the check is to be strengthened.
The step-by-step application process for Vanuatu citizenship
Immigrant Invest is the official representative of the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program. Our lawyers accompany the entire process of receiving a passport and continue to help after the status has already been obtained. For example, we will help replace documents or obtain citizenship for new family members.
Frequently asked questions
You cannot just buy citizenship of Vanuatu, but you can get it by non-refundable investment in the country’s economy. The difference is that not everyone can become a citizen of Vanuatu, but only those who meet the program’s conditions and pass the Due Diligence check. The citizenship price starts from $130,000.
To become a Vanuatu citizen, you can participate in the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program. To obtain a Vanuatu passport, you need to invest at least $130,000. Yet, you also have to undergo Due Diligence successfully.
To apply for citizenship, you need the help of a licensed agent. Applications made directly by investors are declined. Only a licensed agent can apply on behalf of investors. Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the Vanuatu program.
The Vanuatu citizenship program is the fastest in the world. One can get a Vanuatu passport within 1—2 months.
$130,000 is the least possible investment under the Vanuatu citizenship program. The cost of Vanuatu citizenship depends on the family composition: the more relatives included, the higher the costs. For example, the investment amount grows to $180,000 for a family of four.
Besides direct investment, there are other cost items: Due Diligence, consideration of the application and certificates of naturalisation issuance.
Yes, foreigners get a Vanuatu passport without renouncing their first citizenship. The same is true for Vanuatu citizens who obtain a second passport: they can retain their Vanuatu citizenship.
The Vanuatu passport obtained by investment allows travelling to 95 countries without visas. It is in the 55th position in the 2022 passport ranking.
The popular visa-free destinations with a Vanuatu passport are Singapore and Hong Kong and some European countries like the UK.
Since May 4, 2022, visa-free entry to the EU has been suspended for travellers with Vanuatu citizenship by investment. The duration of the suspension is unknown.
