How much a Vanuatu passport costs
The Vanuatu passport cost comprises the investment to the state fund and additional expenses.
The larger the family, the higher the contribution. Single applicants contribute from $130,000. Spouses pay $150,000. For a family of four, Vanuatu citizenship costs at least $180,000.
Investors become citizens of Vanuatu in 1—4 months under the Development Support Program (DSP).
Provided information on the costs
How much to invest in obtaining a Vanuatu passport
The single applicant contributes $130,000 to the National Development Fund. The contribution is non-refundable.
Family investments. The investor's relatives can obtain Vanuatu citizenship: their spouse, children under 25, and parents over 50. The larger the family, the higher the cost of obtaining a second passport. The contribution sums under the Vanuatu citizenship program are the following:
$150,000 — for a married couple;
$165,000 — for a family of 3 people;
$180,000 — for a family of 4 people.
An additional $15,000 is per child or parent, starting from the fifth family member.
Proof of financial solvency. To be eligible for the Vanuatu citizenship program, investors need to show $250,000 in their bank 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 themselves and their family and will not spend all their savings on participating in the CBI program.
Additional expenses under the Vanuatu citizenship program
In addition to the investment, the applicant pays for legal services, government fees, and commissions. Altogether, they comprise the passport price.
Fees under the Vanuatu CBI program are the following:
$5,500 for the family — a Due Diligence fee;
$86 per applicant — issuance of the naturalisation certificate.
The most significant fee is paid for a Due Diligence check. It is a mandatory stage of any citizenship or residence permit by investment program. The applicant’s documents are checked to ascertain their reputation’s purity and the money’s legal origin.
The bank commission is 7% of the invoice amount, adding to the Due Diligence fee and fund contribution. The costs of legal services depend on the situation.
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 costs need to be compensated.
However, the oath was suspended during the pandemic and hasn’t been resumed.
Sample calculation of expenses on Vanuatu citizenship
Fees for adding relatives after citizenship approval. Relatives can become Vanuatu citizens after the investor has received a passport. The cost of joining the CBI program is:
$40,500 for a spouse;
$15,000 for a child or parent.
When adding adult relatives over 18, the Due Diligence fee is paid. Besides, the bank commission is charged per transaction.
Individual cost calculation of the Vanuatu citizenship
7 benefits of Vanuatu citizenship by investment
Vanuatu citizenship is popular with cosmopolitans, as 2,336 applications were approved in 2014—2020. Their investments brought the country 106 million dollars in 2020 alone, while the CBI Unit expected 40 million less in revenue that year.
Vanuatu citizenship benefits include but are not limited to:
Visa-free travel to 108 countries, including Ireland and Singapore.
5-year multiple-entry tourist visa to the USA.
Tax optimisation for individuals and companies.
Non-residency requirements. New citizens are not obligated to live in or even visit Vanuatu before, during, or after the citizenship application process.
Dual citizenship.
Fast application process.
Scholarships at British universities.
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—4 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.
1 day
Undergoing the preliminary check
A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer reviews the applicant’s biography and fund sources privately. This step minimises rejection risks.
If issues arise, lawyers propose alternative solutions, keeping the process confidential between the applicant and assigned legal counsel.
A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer reviews the applicant’s biography and fund sources privately. This step minimises rejection risks.
If issues arise, lawyers propose alternative solutions, keeping the process confidential between the applicant and assigned legal counsel.
3+ days
Preparation of the first package of documents
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers prepare documents for verification by Vanuatu’s Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU. Typically, this includes the applicant’s passport, criminal record certificate, and CV.
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers prepare documents for verification by Vanuatu’s Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU. Typically, this includes the applicant’s passport, criminal record certificate, and CV.
Up to 1 week
Undergoing the Due Diligence check at FIU
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers forward the documents to Vanuatu’s FIU for the initial check, ensuring compliance with the CBI program regulations.
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers forward the documents to Vanuatu’s FIU for the initial check, ensuring compliance with the CBI program regulations.
Up to 2 weeks
Preparation of the second package of documents
Upon FIU approval, the process proceeds with gathering the necessary paperwork. The investor provides the required documents for notarization, translation, and form completion to Immigrant Invest’s lawyers.
Upon FIU approval, the process proceeds with gathering the necessary paperwork. The investor provides the required documents for notarization, translation, and form completion to Immigrant Invest’s lawyers.
Up to 2 weeks
Consideration and approval of the application
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers send the completed application and documents to Vanuatu for review by The Screening Committee and Citizenship Commission, which takes up to two weeks.
The investor transfers 25% of the stipulated investment.
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers send the completed application and documents to Vanuatu for review by The Screening Committee and Citizenship Commission, which takes up to two weeks.
The investor transfers 25% of the stipulated investment.
Up to 90 days
Investing
Upon approval by the Citizenship Commission, the applicant fulfils the investment condition by transferring the remaining 75% of the contribution within 90 days.
Upon approval by the Citizenship Commission, the applicant fulfils the investment condition by transferring the remaining 75% of the contribution within 90 days.
Up to 2 weeks
Taking the oath of allegiance and receiving Vanuatu passports
Upon receiving the agreed investment, the Citizenship Commission issues a naturalisation certificate and initiates passport granting.
The investor and other applicants must take an oath of allegiance by travelling to Vanuatu or arranging for the commissioner for oaths and migration officer to conduct the ceremony at a convenient location. However, the oaths were suspended, and this step was omitted.
Upon receiving the agreed investment, the Citizenship Commission issues a naturalisation certificate and initiates passport granting.
The investor and other applicants must take an oath of allegiance by travelling to Vanuatu or arranging for the commissioner for oaths and migration officer to conduct the ceremony at a convenient location. However, the oaths were suspended, and this step was omitted.
Immigrant Invest is an 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.
Vanuatu citizenship costs: main points
Vanuatu citizenship is obtained by contributing to the specially designated state fund. The contribution is one-time and non-refundable.
The investment amount depends on the number of applicants. A single investor contributes $130,000, while a married couple invests $150,000. Adding children and parents costs $15,000 per relative.
Additional expenses include state fees for Due Diligence and naturalisation certificates. Besides, the investor pays for legal assistance and bank commissions.
The total expenses for a single investor amount to $145,070. A family of six will spend about $231,100.
Obtaining Vanuatu citizenship by investment takes 1—4 months.
The Vanuatu passport provides visa-free access to 100+ countries, long-term visitor visas to the USA, and tax optimisation.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
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