Updated 21 May 2026Vanuatu citizenship by investment
A long-established citizenship-by-investment programme with a non-refundable contribution from US$130,000. The application can be completed without travelling to Vanuatu, although biometrics are taken in person at an authorised location.
Alesya Razinkevich
Prepared byAuthor of guides to property and residence programmes
Mikhail Bulanov
Reviewed byCo-founder and managing partner of Tranio, real estate investment expert
from US$130,000
Non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund
2–4 months
Indicative time from filing to passport
~100 countries
Visa-free, visa-on-arrival or electronic entry; excludes Schengen and the UK
30+ years of history
One of the longest-established citizenship programmes in the region
How the Vanuatu programme works
Discuss your optionsVanuatu has operated investment-based citizenship routes since the late 1980s. Under the Development Support Program (DSP), applicants make a contribution to the National Development Fund. Tranio works directly as a licensed agent for key programmes and supports clients at every stage.
The DSP has one route: a non-refundable contribution. There is no property to manage or holding period to monitor, but the capital cannot be recovered.
The programme is longer established than many newer alternatives. The passport provides simplified travel to destinations including Singapore and Hong Kong, but it does not guarantee access to banking or business services: every institution applies its own compliance rules.
Citizenship alone does not normally create Vanuatu tax residence. The country does not levy personal tax on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance or wealth, but applicants should obtain advice on the tax rules that apply where they live.
Established programme
For applicants who prefer a programme with a longer operating history
Travel in Asia
Simplified travel to Singapore and Hong Kong, subject to current entry rules
No personal income tax
Vanuatu does not levy personal tax on worldwide income or capital gains; obligations elsewhere still depend on residence and other connections
Additional citizenship
A lifelong status that can support wider mobility, business and family planning
What a Vanuatu passport offers
Longer programme history
A more established framework than programmes launched only in recent years
Singapore and Hong Kong
Simplified travel to two major Asian business centres, subject to current entry rules
Tax treatment
Vanuatu does not levy personal tax on worldwide income, inheritance or capital gains; citizenship alone does not determine tax residence
International strategy
The citizenship can form part of an international plan, but does not guarantee access to banks, visas or third-country residence
Visa-free countries
~92 destinationsLatin America and the Caribbean
20Africa
13Oceania
2Europe and neighbouring regions
6Asia
5Source: Passport Index. The total includes visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic authorisations. Standard visas are generally required for the Schengen Area, the US, the UK, Australia and Canada. Check the current rules before travel.
Application costs and fees
The contribution is transferred only after the application is officially approved by the Vanuatu government — the money is not frozen at the consideration stage.
A security check (FIU check, $5,500) is charged to each adult applicant. Additionally: notarised translations from $2,000, biometrics $1,000 per person (Port Vila) or $3,000 (Dubai, Hong Kong). Agent remuneration is separate.
Requirements for the applicant
Main applicant
Age from 18 years
Confirmed legal source of funds
No criminal record or pending criminal cases
Absence from OFAC, UN and EU sanctions lists
Knowledge of the language or history of Vanuatu is not required
No need to visit Vanuatu
Family members in one application
Spouse — no age limit
Children under 25 years old — unmarried, financially dependent
The applicant's parents or spouse — from 50 years old with confirmation of financial dependence
Adult children under 25 years of age and parents must confirm financial dependence with documents — bank statements and income certificates. A verbal statement is not enough.
Application process
The application is remote apart from biometrics for the electronic passport. Processing normally takes 2–4 months.
Step 1 — Preliminary check and composition of the application
Tranio evaluates the source of funds, family composition and possible risks before signing the contract. If the origin of funds has weak points, we prepare explanations in advance. Basic package: passports, police clearance certificates, bank statements for 12 months.
Step 2 — Due Diligence
The package of documents is sent to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Vanuatu, a government agency. The agency checks the origin of funds, international criminal records databases and sanctions lists. Duration: 2–4 weeks. Most failures occur here.
Step 3 — Submission of the main package and government approval
After passing the check, the main package is reviewed by the Vanuatu government. Official approval takes 2–4 weeks. Until this moment, no money is transferred.
Step 4 — Contribution to NDF
Only after official approval the applicant transfers the contribution to the National Development Fund. The fee is non-refundable.
Step 5 — Biometrics
Electronic passports require biometrics in person at an authorised location in Dubai, Hong Kong or Port Vila. The most convenient location depends on the applicant’s travel documents and entry requirements. Fees vary by location.
Step 6 — Oath and obtaining a passport
The oath is taken through the honorary consul of Vanuatu — remotely, without travelling to the islands. After the oath, the passport is issued within 1–2 weeks. Validity period: 10 years, extension without reinvestment. Citizenship is for life.
Eligibility, documents and compliance
Check your eligibilityEligibility depends on nationality, residence history, sanctions screening and due diligence. Document legalisation and translation requirements depend on the country of issue.
Identification documents
Passport, civil-status records and family documents, legalised or apostilled as required and translated into English
Financial documents
Twelve months of bank statements and evidence of the lawful source of funds. Complex wealth structures may require a source-of-wealth memorandum
Sanctions and eligibility
Personal sanctions and other compliance concerns can lead to refusal. Nationality and residence history are assessed under the programme rules
Biometrics
Applicants can choose an authorised location based on their travel documents, entry requirements and appointment availability
Obligations in your current country
Some countries require citizens or residents to report the acquisition of another citizenship. Applicants should obtain advice on the rules that apply to them
Tax residence, military service and multiple citizenship
Taxes in Vanuatu
Vanuatu does not levy personal tax on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance or wealth. Citizenship alone does not normally create tax residence
Army
There is no universal conscription for naturalized citizens. Military service is not mandatory for those receiving citizenship under the investment programme.
Multiple citizenship
Vanuatu recognises multiple citizenship. Applicants should also check the rules and reporting duties of their current country or countries of citizenship
Comparison with alternatives
The main alternatives are São Tomé and Príncipe, Egypt and Türkiye. They differ in entry threshold, processing time, whether capital can be recovered and their nationality rules.
| Country | Min. investment | Processing time | Return on investment | Schengen | Nationality restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu | from $130,000 | 2–4 months | no | no | yes |
 São Tomé and Príncipe | from $90,000 | 2–3 months | no | no | yes |
 Egypt | from $250,000 | 6–9 months | yes | no | yes |
 Türkiye | from $400,000 | 6–9 months | yes (after 3 years) | no | yes |
Vanuatu has a longer operating history and simplified travel to Singapore and Hong Kong. São Tomé and Príncipe has a lower contribution threshold and CPLP membership. Neither passport guarantees access to banking or residence in another country.
Programme limitations
Review the limitationsNo visa-free access to Schengen or the UK
Standard visas are required. Applicants should not choose the programme primarily as a European travel document.
The fee is non-refundable
The contribution to the National Development Fund is not refundable for any outcome after the application is approved. The programme does not provide an investment track with a refund.
US visa requirements
Vanuatu citizens generally require a US visa and may be subject to additional application conditions. The current procedure and any visa-bond requirement should be checked before applying.
Biometrics at only three points
Authorised locations currently include Dubai, Hong Kong and Port Vila. The best option depends on the applicant’s travel documents and entry requirements.
Other citizenship-by-investment options
When to consider other options
01
The main goal is visa-free Schengen: Vanuatu does not provide it, and this will not change in the near future
02
The return on investment is important — the contribution is non-refundable; consider Turkey or Egypt
03
Budget below US$130,000 — consider São Tomé and Príncipe from US$90,000
04
It is necessary to include brothers, sisters or adult children without financial dependence — the programme limits the circle of dependents
How Tranio can help
Book a consultationTranio supports clients through the Vanuatu Development Support Program. We review eligibility and the source of funds before filing, then coordinate the documents, contribution, biometrics and passport process.
Review eligibility and source-of-funds evidence before filing
We prepare a complete set of documents with apostilles and notarised translations
Arrange biometrics at a suitable authorised location and coordinate the oath
We calculate the full budget taking into account the composition of the family and all fees
Compare relevant residence options for the next stage
Expert opinion
“Vanuatu’s main advantage over newer programmes is its longer operating history. That does not remove bank or border checks, but it gives applicants a more established framework and a travel network that includes Singapore and Hong Kong.”
Kseniya Nass
Tranio expert on residence and citizenship programmes
Frequently asked questions
No. Biometrics for the electronic passport are completed in person at an authorised location in Dubai, Hong Kong or Port Vila. The most convenient option depends on the applicant’s travel documents and entry requirements. The oath is coordinated through an authorised official.
No. The DSP programme provides only a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund. If repayment is important, consider Turkey or Egypt.
No. The DSP investment citizenship programme exempts you from any exams — language, historical, cultural.
That depends on the laws of your current country or countries of citizenship and residence. Some jurisdictions impose notification duties, so obtain individual legal advice.
The passport is valid for 10 years. Renewal takes place remotely—repeated investments are not required. Citizenship is for life and is passed on to children by descent.
Vanuatu has a longer operating history and simplified travel to Singapore and Hong Kong. São Tomé and Príncipe has a lower contribution threshold and CPLP membership. The better option depends on budget, travel needs and long-term residence plans.
The DSP continues to operate. The EU ended visa-free travel for Vanuatu citizens after earlier suspensions, but this did not close the citizenship programme. Standard Schengen visa requirements are reflected in the travel information on this page.
Popular residence programmes
The Tranio ecosystem
Residence or citizenship is only one stage. With Tranio, these goals can be addressed by one team.
We select and arrange residence, permanent residence and second citizenship around your goals and long-term plans.
We help you choose and buy overseas property with full transaction support.
We advise on international investments, ownership structures and substantial private wealth.