Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment: What's Changed, What's Coming, and Why 2026 Is Still a Strong Year to Apply

The past twelve months have brought the most significant reforms to Vanuatu's citizenship-by-investment programme since its inception. Here's an honest, comprehensive look at what has changed, what's coming next, and why 2026 remains a strong year to apply.

Parliament passes the Citizenship Amendment Act 2025

The single most significant development of the past year was the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2025, approved by Parliament with 36 votes in favour and 10 abstentions. The reform is designed to make the programme fully independent, transparent and free from political interference, while reinforcing due diligence and oversight standards.

Under the new law, all CIIP and DSP agents are required to register and comply with stricter operational guidelines. The reforms strengthen accountability, enhance transparency and prevent individuals with criminal records or Interpol Red Notices from acquiring citizenship. The Citizenship Commission has already revoked roughly 30 citizenships granted contrary to the Citizenship Act and the Constitution. For serious, legitimate investors, these changes are entirely positive — they signal a government committed to protecting the long-term credibility of one of the country's most vital economic assets.

New biometric passports and mandatory biometrics

From November 2025, Vanuatu began issuing biometric passports, with biometrics now mandatory for all applicants regardless of age. The upgrade aligns the programme with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards — the same standards the EU has been pressing Vanuatu to meet.

Since 1 July 2025, biometrics have been mandatory for all applicants, with enrolment fees of US$1,000 per person in Vanuatu, US$3,000 in Dubai, or US$3,000 plus travel expenses for a consular visit. Biometric capture is available in Vanuatu itself and at approved overseas centres in Dubai, Hong Kong and Nouméa — keeping the process accessible across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East. From 18 July 2025, all passport applications must also include a Vanuatu National Identity Card (US$1,000 per person). Additional administrative steps, but a meaningful upgrade in programme integrity.

The EU picture: honest assessment

The EU situation is the most discussed topic in the citizenship space, so it's worth addressing directly. In December 2024 the EU Council formally terminated the visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu, following a multi-year suspension process that began in 2022. The EU's concerns centred on issues including passports granted to individuals on Interpol databases, inconsistent statistics provided to the Commission, and limited information exchange with applicants' countries of origin.

The Citizenship Amendment Act 2025 and the biometric passport rollout are precisely the structural reforms the EU had been calling for, and the Vanuatu government is in active dialogue with EU counterparts. That said, near-term changes to the EU position should not be assumed — the EU has introduced a new mechanism allowing automatic suspension of travel regimes where citizenship-by-investment programmes do not imply genuine ties to the country.

Practically: applicants should assess the Vanuatu passport on its current access — strong across Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and key Commonwealth destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia — rather than on the expectation of changes to the EU position. Vanuatu passport holders will also not be eligible for ETIAS in 2026. For investors whose primary goal is European access, this is a genuine consideration. For the majority of Vanuatu applicants — focused on Asia-Pacific mobility, tax optimisation and family security — it does not materially diminish the programme's appeal.

A new online portal and streamlined process

On a practical level, Vanuatu has launched a new online application portal that allows applicants and their authorised agents to upload documents, track status in real time, and communicate with officials through a secure interface. Several bureaucratic steps were removed, reducing paperwork and typical processing times.

What to expect in the months ahead

The Vanuatu government has signalled a clear direction: a tighter, more credible, more institutionally robust programme. For investors who value speed, simplicity and Asia-Pacific mobility, Vanuatu remains the standout option in the citizenship-by-investment market. The reforms of the past twelve months have not weakened the programme — they have given it the institutional foundation it needs to remain relevant and reputable for years to come.