The complete guide to Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment.

1. What is Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment?

Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment is a sovereign program enacted under the Vanuatu Citizenship Act and operated by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office under the Office of the Prime Minister. It allows qualifying investors to obtain full Vanuatu citizenship — not residency — through a contribution to the Vanuatu Government. Approval is typically granted within 45 days from a complete file, making it the fastest formal CBI program in the world.

Citizenship is for life, hereditary, and grants the same rights as a born Vanuatu national, including the right to live, work, and own property in Vanuatu and to hold a Vanuatu biometric e-passport.

2. The two active programs: DSP and CIIP

Two CBI streams are currently active. Both grant identical Vanuatu citizenship and the same passport — they differ only in fee structure and capital requirement.

• Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP) — a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund. From US$130,000 for a single applicant. Best for individuals and small families seeking the fastest, simplest route.
• Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) — combines a government contribution with a US$50,000 capital component returned after a five-year holding period. From US$165,000 for a family of up to four. Best for larger families on a per-applicant basis.

See the full breakdown on the Programs & Pricing page.

3. Costs & total investment

Headline contribution figures are only part of the total cost. Plan for due diligence fees (US$5,500 per adult), professional fees, translation and notarisation, and passport/courier costs. A single DSP application typically lands at approximately US$140,000–US$145,000 all-in. A family of four under CIIP is typically around US$185,000–US$195,000 all-in.

Full cost tables, family scenarios, and what is and is not included are in the Cost Guide.

4. Eligibility & restricted nationalities

Applicants must be at least 18, of good character with a clean criminal record, in good health, and able to demonstrate the lawful source of funds. Vanuatu maintains a confidential list of restricted nationalities; published restrictions include Iran, North Korea, Syria and Yemen. Holders of a second passport or long-term residency elsewhere may still qualify.

Full eligibility criteria in the Eligibility Guide and on the Who Can Apply page.

5. Family inclusion

A single application can include the spouse, dependent children under 18 (automatic), children aged 18–29 who are financially dependent or in full-time education, children of any age with disabilities, and financially dependent parents of either the applicant or spouse. All approved family members receive identical Vanuatu citizenship.

6. The 45-day application process

From engagement to passport, a typical timeline runs 45–60 days. The process is six stages: consultation and program selection, document collection, due diligence and KYC, formal submission by a Government Designated Agent, Citizenship Commission approval, and passport issuance. Applicants never need to visit Vanuatu — every step is completed remotely.

Detailed week-by-week breakdown in the Timeline Guide.

7. Due diligence

Vanuatu runs a four-tier due diligence process: the Government Designated Agent's KYC, the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit, an independent international due diligence firm, and the Citizenship Commission. Source-of-funds documentation, police clearances from every country of residence in the last ten years, and a confidential interview by phone (in rare cases) underpin the integrity of the program.

8. Travel, tax & banking benefits

A Vanuatu passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 90 jurisdictions including the United Kingdom (subject to current arrangements), Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia, and most of the Commonwealth. Vanuatu has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax. It is widely recognised as a clean, treaty-compliant jurisdiction with stable banking access for legitimately sourced wealth.

9. Working with a Government Designated Agent

Only firms appointed by the Vanuatu Government as Government Designated Agents may lodge applications. Vanuatu Advance Citizenship has been a Government Designated Agent since 2018 and has facilitated 300+ successful applications. Direct submissions by applicants are not accepted — every legitimate application is filed through an Agent.

10. Next steps

The fastest way to know whether you qualify and which program suits your family is a confidential 30-minute consultation. Bring your nationality, family composition, and a rough source-of-funds narrative — we will return a written recommendation and a fixed-fee quote.