Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

The Development Support Programme (DSP) is Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment programme, established under the Citizenship Act of the Republic of Vanuatu. It allows qualifying foreign nationals to obtain Vanuatu citizenship and a passport through a non-refundable financial contribution to the country’s national development fund. The programme is administered by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission and is recognised as the fastest CBI programme in the world, with processing times as short as two months.

The minimum non-refundable contribution for a single applicant is USD $130,000, paid directly to the Vanuatu Development Support Programme fund. Additional costs apply for dependants: a married couple typically requires approximately USD $150,000, and a family of four approximately USD $180,000. Government processing fees, due diligence fees, and professional advisory fees are additional. TopNation Global provides a comprehensive fee schedule during the initial consultation so there are no surprises.

The Vanuatu DSP is the fastest citizenship by investment programme globally. From submission of a complete application to passport issuance, the process typically takes two to three months. The due diligence phase accounts for four to six weeks, with the remaining time covering approval, oath of allegiance, and passport production. In some cases, expedited processing may reduce the timeline further. No other CBI programme in the world matches this speed.

This is an important question that requires an honest answer. In February 2022, the European Union suspended Vanuatu’s visa-free access to the Schengen Area. This means that Vanuatu passport holders now require a visa to enter Schengen countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other EU member states within the Schengen zone. The suspension was related to concerns about due diligence standards in Vanuatu’s CBI programme. Applicants whose primary objective is visa-free European travel should consider alternative programmes such as those offered by Caribbean nations (St. Kitts, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua) which maintain Schengen access. That said, a Vanuatu passport still provides visa-free access to the United Kingdom, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and 90+ other destinations, and remains highly valuable for tax planning, processing speed, and passport diversification.

No. The entire Vanuatu DSP application process can be completed remotely. There is no requirement to visit Vanuatu at any stage — not for the application, not for interviews, and not for the oath of allegiance. The oath can be administered at a Vanuatu consulate, honorary consul, or authorised representative in your country of residence. This makes the programme particularly convenient for busy professionals and investors who cannot travel for extended periods.

Yes. The main applicant can include their spouse, dependent children under 25 years of age, and dependent parents over 50 years of age in a single application. Each additional dependant increases the government contribution amount. All included family members undergo the same due diligence screening as the main applicant and receive their own Vanuatu citizenship certificates and passports upon approval.

Yes. Vanuatu permits dual citizenship. Obtaining Vanuatu nationality through the DSP does not require you to renounce your existing citizenship. You can hold both your original passport and a Vanuatu passport simultaneously. However, applicants should verify whether their current country of citizenship also permits dual nationality, as some countries impose restrictions or require notification.

Vanuatu is one of the world’s foremost zero-tax jurisdictions. There is no personal income tax, no corporate income tax on offshore earnings, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no estate tax, and no wealth tax. For international investors and entrepreneurs, this creates significant opportunities for tax-efficient wealth management, asset protection, and business structuring. While tax residency and tax obligations depend on where you physically reside, holding Vanuatu citizenship provides optionality for future residency and domicile planning in a zero-tax environment.

The standard documentation requirements include: certified copies of your current passport, birth certificate, and marriage certificate (if applicable); police clearance certificates from your country of citizenship and any country where you have resided for more than six months in the past ten years; a medical certificate from a licensed physician; bank reference letters and financial statements demonstrating a minimum net worth of USD $250,000; source of funds documentation including bank statements, business records, or investment portfolios; passport-sized photographs meeting specified dimensions; and a completed application form with personal declarations. TopNation Global provides a detailed document checklist and assists with preparation of all materials.

The Vanuatu DSP is a legally established programme operating under the Citizenship Act of the Republic of Vanuatu, administered by the official Vanuatu Citizenship Commission. It has been operational since 2017 and has granted citizenship to thousands of applicants. The programme has faced international scrutiny — most notably the 2022 EU Schengen suspension — which led to reforms in due diligence processes and oversight. The Vanuatu government has since taken steps to strengthen programme integrity. As with any citizenship by investment decision, applicants should work with a reputable advisory firm that provides transparent guidance on both the benefits and limitations of the programme. TopNation Global is committed to providing balanced, honest advice.