ABOUT VANUATU CITIZENSHIP
In 2017, the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment was launched. It is the only program of its kind run in the South Pacific. The program is known as the Vanuatu Citizenship Development Support Program. Only individuals above 18, in good health condition,
and without any trace of criminality are eligible to apply for the citizenship program. Also, interested applicants would have to make non-refundable donations to the government.
Country Statistics
Vanuatu is located between New Zealand and Australia. It is an archipelago nation that spans 82 islands. The country is a home for multifaceted linguistics because various colonizers with different languages relocated to the Melanesian islands over the millennia. This led to the exploration of Europe. Vanuatu has been rated as the happiest place on earth several times. Despite its cultural diversities, it remains a calm and stable country. The country is most people’s idea of paradise. It is a place for anyone to live, work or retire apart from its vacation destination. Therefore, there are lots of importance
attached to having the Vanuatu Citizenship.
Facts About Vanuatu
- The country was formerly called “New Hebrides” after the settlement of the British and French on the islands. In 1906, it was accepted that the Anglo-French Condominium should govern the islands. The country gained its independence in 1980 and adopted the name Vanuatu.
- Vanuatu is connected to most of the powerful nations of the world
- The economy of Vanuatu is dependent on small-scale agriculture. This
contributes to the maintenance of more than two-thirds of its dwellers. - Offshore financial services, fishing, and tourism are other sources of the nation’s economy.
- Vanuatu is a member of the IMF, World Bank, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu, situated on the island of Efate
- Port Vila has a standard banking and financial background with 7 banks
attending the international financial industry. - The country is rich in cultural diversity. Plus, more than 100 languages are spoken.
BENEFITS OF VANUATU CITIZENSHIP
Visa-free Travel
Citizens of Vanuatu have access to visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel to over 125 countries, including Hong Kong, Russia, the U.K., and the Schengen Area.
Supported by Law
The program is supported and guaranteed by the law.
Smooth Process
The duration of citizenship is a short and easy process. Vanuatu enforces zero tax on capital gains, dividends, foreign income, inheritance, and wealth.
Minimal Residency Requirements
Applicants do not have to visit Vanuatu before and after applying for citizenship.
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Second citizenship holders of Vanuatu do not need to renounce their first citizenship.
VISA FREE COUNTRIES FOR VANUATU
Vanuatu Citizenship passport permit visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel for its holders to more than 113 countries, including the U.K., Singapore, and the Schengen region.
It also permits Vanuatu passport holders to stay 6 months in the U.K. annually without a visa and 90 days in the Schengen Area without a visa.
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries:
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom and Crown dependencies
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION FOR VANUATU CITIZENSHIP
Document Screening
We assist you in screening your document in preparation for government approval. For this process to go smoothly, applicants are expected to make a down payment for opening the application.
Professional Support
We also give professional support to applicants on advice and the right documents that fit the government criteria.
Submission of Application
Your citizenship application will be submitted after making the due payment.
Due Diligence Background Investigations
Due diligence background investigation is done in collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Unit. When the FIU verifies that the applicant record is free from any offenses, the application is presented to the Citizenship Commission for final approval.
Final Approval From The Presidency
The Citizenship Commission then forwards the applicant’s name and file to the Prime Minister, who will advise the Presidency to grant the applicant citizenship.
Biometric and Oath of Allegiance
Biometrics and an Oath of allegiance will be taken after approval. This would be arranged to suit the applicant.
Issuance of Passport and Certificate of Naturalization
Finally, the passport and certificate of naturalization would be presented to the
applicant. Before this, the fee for professional services will be paid.
COSTS OF VANUATU CITIZENSHIP
Under the Citizenship Act of the government of the Republic of Vanuatu, citizenship would be granted to foreign investors that meet up with the laid down criteria for Vanuatu Citizenship, such as:
Donation
Honorary citizenship would be granted to applicants who make contributions to the government of Vanuatu. They can apply as a single applicant or as a family of 4 members.
Single Applicant – USD 135,000
Family of two – USD 165,000
Family of three – USD 180,000
Family of four – USD 195,000
Additional family member – USD 15,000
PROGRAM DURATION
The duration of 6 months is the specified timeframe for the application process. However, the initial duration of document collection could be a bit longer depending on how fast the applicant provides the required documents. We are fully on the ground to assist our client (applicant) pass-through this stage faster with samples and professional advice.
The duration of the renewal stage depends on the availability of the agency that would handle it. We have no regulation over this particular process. However, we assure you that we work with the best Government agencies to hasten the entire process and make our client (applicant) get quick approval.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & LEGAL GROUNDWORK
MAIN APPLICANT CRITERIA
QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS
*Applicant parents and children above 18 years are dependent on the applicant.
LEGAL GROUNDWORK
According to the Citizenship Act [CAP 112], the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission offer Citizenship to individuals under Vanuatu Development Support Program.