The new rules in Nauru simplify the process for those planning to obtain a passport by investment. Applicants need less time to prepare documents.
Lyle Julien, an investment migration expert at Immigrant Invest, explained how to obtain a Nauru passport under the new rules.
1. Admission of citizens from the list of restricted countries
The Nauru Citizenship by Investment Programme Office published a circular dated July 2nd, 2026. It states that applicants from Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, Russia, and Belarus can now obtain Nauru citizenship.
Previously, this was prohibited even if applicants had economic ties to these countries, for example, if an investor:
- owned real estate and received rental income;
- had business interests in the countries;
- received income in the form of a pension, dividends, or salary.
Lyle Julien,
Investment programmes expert
The list of economic ties is not exhaustive. For investors from Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, Russia, and Belarus, a licensed agent may submit a preliminary request to the Nauru office on whether they can participate in the programme.
2. List of supporting documents shortened
Two forms have been removed from the mandatory document package:
- Key Data Form.
- Agent Due Diligence Report.
At the same time, licensed agents are still required to check applicants’ backgrounds and sources of wealth.
Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary check and identifies factors that may lead to citizenship refusal. The check takes one day and is carried out based on a copy of the investor’s passport.
3. Requirement for partners clarified
To include a de facto partner in a citizenship application, the relationship must have lasted for more than 2 years before submitting the documents.
Proof of cohabitation may include:
- joint bank accounts;
- real estate documents;
- birth certificate of a shared child.
4. Additional bank for payments
The Nauru Programme Office has added an alternative bank in Bahrain — National Bank of Bahrain BSC. No other banks are listed in the circular or on the programme’s official website.
The investor makes the investment contribution and pays government fees based on invoices issued by the Nauru Programme Office.
5. Income proof requirements eased
It is enough for an investor to provide one bank statement confirming the account balance, issued within the last 3 months. Previously, applicants had to show the movement of funds for the specified period.
6. List of documents to prove income
For employed applicants, suitable documents include:
- employment contracts;
- tax returns;
- income tax payment certificates.
For self-employed applicants. If an applicant owns several shares or equity stakes in companies, they may provide an affidavit instead of company documents. However, these assets must not form a substantial part of the applicant’s income.
For financially independent individuals, documents on pensions, investments, real estate, inheritance, and other sources of income may be used.
Nauru citizenship with a reduced investment threshold
A Nauru passport can be obtained for $90,000 instead of the standard $115,000. This condition applies under The Iruwal Initiative option until December 31st, 2026.
The passport issuance time is 3 months. Today, Nauru has the fastest and most affordable citizenship by investment programme in the world.
Immigrant Invest experts will help collect documents under the new requirements and assist throughout the entire process until the Nauru passport is obtained.
