9 benefits of the Vanuatu passport

1. Fast issuance of passports. Vanuatu is a fast-track second citizenship program. Obtaining a Vanuatu passport takes only 1—4 months.

Vanuatu’s procedures are faster than under the alternative programs in Caribbean countries, where foreigners may receive passports within at least 6 months.

2. Remote citizenship obtaining. Investors do not need to visit the country to participate in the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program and submit an application. Applicants may get their passports without a single visit to Vanuatu.

3. Citizenship for the family. Besides investors themselves, passports can also be obtained by family members: a spouse, children under 25, and parents over 50.

Children aged 18 to 25 cannot be married when passports are issued. They must depend financially on or reside with the investor and be full-time university students.

Yet, filing citizenship for the whole family increases participation costs in the CBI program.

4. Relatively low cost. The Vanuatu CBI program offers two investment options: contributing to a state fund and supporting coconut oil production.

When contributing to a state fund, the investor alone needs to pay $130,000, whereas an applicant with a spouse donates $150,000. An additional $15,000 must be paid for each child or parent.

Buying shares in the CNO Future Fund involves an investment of $157,000 for single investors and families of up to four. An additional $25,000 is paid per family member starting from the fifth applicant.

In addition to the investment, investors must pay a $5,500 Due Diligence fee. The Due Diligence and administrative fees for the CNO Future Fund option amount to $8,000.

Other fees depend on the number of family members included in the application.

5. Return on investment. The CNO Future Fund yields an annual return of approximately 5%, enabling an investor to recoup $50,000 over five years.

The Vanuatu passport allows visa-free entry to 107 countries. However, some states issue a visa on arrival, while others require an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before the trip.

The EU and Schengen Agreement countries have suspended the visa-free regimes with Vanuatu. After May 4th, 2022, those who obtained Vanuatu citizenship must get a visa to enter the EU and Schengen countries. The term of the suspension is yet unknown.

Asia. Vanuatu citizens are also exempt from visa requirements for travel to popular business destinations in Asia, such as Singapore and Malaysia. In both states, Vanuatu passport holders may stay visa-free for up to 30 days.

Vanuatu citizens are eligible to apply for a 5-year multiple-entry B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa to the USA. The visa allows spending up to 180 days a year in the USA.

The B‑1/B‑2 visa suits those who would like to hold business meetings, travel around the States, get medical treatment, and sign up for educational courses that do not lead to a diploma or a degree.

Learn the benefits, conditions and specifics of the Vanuatu investment program

Commonwealth Scholarships are available for citizens of Vanuatu who would like to study at British universities.

Children of investors that received Vanuatu passports under the citizenship program are also eligible for certain scholarships, such as the Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowships.

In Vanuatu, there are no taxes on wealth, capital gains, inheritance, dividends, interest, and global income.

To optimise taxation, a citizen needs to become a tax resident of the country. To obtain tax residence, citizens must spend at least 183 days per year in Vanuatu.

Another option that may help reduce the tax burden is for investors to register an International Business Company (IBC) in Vanuatu, which is exempt from taxes for 20 years. Instead of taxes, such companies annually pay $300 to the Vanuatu budget.

Narong, 42

YouTube blogger

Freedom of movement and a new business with the Vanuatu passport

Narong found political asylum in Germany but could not get a residence permit in the country for a long time. He lived under the threat of deportation and had no right to travel or start his own business.

With the help of Immigrant Invest lawyers, the investor got Vanuatu citizenship without leaving Germany. Narong’s company is now registered in Vanuatu and entitled to preferential tax treatment.

Learn a case

1. Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment program is one of the fastest globally, issuing passports within 1 to 4 months and appealing to investors seeking swift second citizenship.

2. The Vanuatu citizenship program offers two options: a contribution to a state fund and an investment in the coconut oil sector. Individuals' contributions start at $130,000, with additional costs for family members. In comparison, obtaining EU residency requires at least €250,000.

3. Through the CNO Future Fund, investors can earn about 5% annually and return about $50,000 of the initial investment within 5 years.

4. Vanuatu passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to 107 countries, including major Asian hubs like Singapore and Malaysia. Besides, 5-year US visas are available for trips under 180 days a year.

5. Vanuatu’s favourable tax regime includes no taxes on wealth or global income and allows for tax-exempt business registrations for 20 years.