Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP)

The DSP is a statutory citizenship-by-investment route under which an applicant makes a one-off, non-refundable contribution to the Government of Vanuatu in exchange for a grant of full Vanuatu citizenship and a Vanuatu passport. The funds support national infrastructure, education and healthcare projects.

The Government decides all citizenship applications. Vanuatu Advance acts as a Government Designated Agent: we prepare and submit files and handle programme payments. We do not grant citizenship and we do not set fees.

DSP starts at US$130,000 for a single applicant.

A family of four costs US$180,000 under DSP. Beyond four applicants, each additional qualifying dependant costs US$20,000. Complete scenarios from a single applicant to a family of eight are published on the Vanuatu citizenship cost page, alongside the live family cost calculator.

Applicants must be at least 18, hold clean criminal records, demonstrate lawful source of funds and meet the minimum net-worth requirement. There is no residency requirement, no language test and no interview requirement. See the eligibility criteria or check who can apply.

A single application can include a spouse or de facto partner, dependent children up to age 25, and dependent parents aged 50 or over, subject to proof of dependency. Each dependant beyond the base family of four is US$20,000.

Due diligence is US$5,500 per application, not per person. Files are screened by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit and by external international background-check providers before the Citizenship Commission considers the application.

Preliminary assessment, document collection, formal (Stage 2) submission, due-diligence clearance, Approval-in-Principle, payment of the balance, Oath of Allegiance and passport issuance. The full sequence is set out on the application process page and summarised in how to apply for Vanuatu citizenship.

Typical overall processing is approximately 30 to 45 days from formal submission of a complete application to passport issuance, subject to due diligence and government processing.

DSP is cheaper for a single applicant. CIIP is generally better value for larger families and includes a returnable capital component. See the full DSP vs CIIP comparison or read about the Capital Investment Immigration Plan.

The DSP operates under Vanuatu's Citizenship Act and its associated regulations, and is administered by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office through designated agents recorded on the official register.

Every DSP file is assembled from the same core set of documents. Certified copies are required; originals are not sent.

• Current passport bio-data page for every applicant, certified.
• Birth certificate for every applicant, with certified translation where not in English or French.
• Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship, where a partner is included.
• Police clearance certificate from every country of citizenship and of residence in the last ten years.
• Proof of address dated within three months.
• Source of funds evidence: bank statements, sale contracts, audited accounts, dividend or salary records.
• Professional or bank reference letter.
• Recent passport photographs to specification.
• Signed application forms and the agent engagement documents.
• Medical declaration of good health.

Applications are most often delayed or refused for these reasons:

• Undisclosed criminal record or pending proceedings found at due diligence.
• Inconsistent name spellings across passport, birth certificate and bank records.
• Police certificates missing for a country of prior residence.
• Funds held in a jurisdiction or entity that cannot be traced to the applicant.
• Applicants holding citizenship of a country subject to current restrictions.
• Dependants who do not meet the age or dependency tests.

• The Oath of Allegiance is taken before the citizenship certificate is issued. It can be sworn remotely or at a Vanuatu consulate.
• The passport is issued for a fixed term and is renewable. Renewal is an administrative process and does not repeat the contribution.
• There is no residency, physical presence or language requirement to retain citizenship.
• Vanuatu permits dual citizenship. Your existing citizenship is unaffected by Vanuatu law, but check the position under your own country's law.
• Tax residence is a separate question from citizenship. Vanuatu citizenship on its own does not change where you are tax resident.

How much does the Vanuatu DSP cost?

DSP starts at US$130,000 for a single applicant, US$150,000 for a married couple, US$165,000 for a family of three and US$180,000 for a family of four. Each additional dependant is US$20,000.

Is the DSP contribution refundable?

No. The DSP contribution is a non-refundable payment to the Government of Vanuatu's development fund.

How long does the DSP take?

Typical overall processing is approximately 30 to 45 days from formal submission of a complete application.

Do I need to travel to Vanuatu?

No. There is no residency requirement and no interview requirement. The application is completed remotely through a Government Designated Agent.

More answers in the Vanuatu citizenship FAQ.

DSP applications can only be lodged through an agent designated by the Government of Vanuatu. Vanuatu Advance Citizenship Ltd is a designated agent with an office in Port Vila. Read more about our designation.