Vanuatu Citizenship Programme – Updated

Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Programme: 2026 Costs, Requirements and Visa Rules

Vanuatu is an independent island country in the South Pacific Ocean consisting of more than 80 islands. Its official languages are Bislama, English and French, and its currency is the Vanuatu vatu.

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment route, officially known as the Development Support Programme (DSP), allows eligible foreign applicants to apply for citizenship after making the prescribed non-refundable contribution and successfully completing due diligence. It is a contribution-based programme rather than a mandatory real estate investment scheme.

An application should be assessed not only by reference to processing speed or passport access, but also in light of current visa rules, the applicant’s existing nationality, dual-citizenship laws, tax residence and international banking consequences.

Important visa update Vanuatu citizens no longer have visa-free access to the Schengen Area. The European Union suspended the exemption in 2022 and permanently ended it on 12 December 2024. The United Kingdom has also required visas from Vanuatu nationals since 19 July 2023.

What is the Vanuatu Development Support Programme?

The DSP is a contribution-based citizenship programme administered by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission. Applications are filed through a representative designated by the Vanuatu authorities. The principal applicant and accompanying family members undergo identity, criminal-record, sanctions, Interpol, source-of-funds and security checks.

Citizenship remains subject to government approval. Payment of the contribution alone does not create an automatic right to citizenship; the documents must be complete and the due diligence result must be satisfactory.

Key features of the programme

• A contribution-based route with no mandatory real estate purchase under the DSP.
• Qualifying family members may be included with the principal applicant.
• The DSP generally does not impose a long-term residence requirement or language examination.
• Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship, although the law of the applicant’s current country must also be checked.
• The process is document- and due-diligence-driven, and the actual timeline varies from case to case.
• A Vanuatu passport may provide visa-free, visa-on-arrival or facilitated access to certain destinations, but travel rules change frequently and must be verified before travel.

Who may apply?

The principal applicant is generally expected to satisfy the following conditions:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Hold a valid passport and provide reliable identity documents;
• Have no serious criminal or security impediment;
• Demonstrate the lawful source and origin of the contribution and related costs;
• Provide the requested medical and civil-status documents;
• Give complete, accurate and consistent information in all application forms.

False statements, concealment of material facts or fraudulent documents may lead to refusal or subsequent deprivation of citizenship.

Can family members be included?

Subject to the rules in force and satisfactory evidence of dependency, the application may include a spouse, children under 18, certain dependent children in full-time education and qualifying dependent parents.

The 2019 DSP Regulations define resident dependants to include children aged 18 to 25 who are in full-time education and dependent on the applicant, as well as dependent parents over the age of 50. Eligibility and additional fees should be confirmed for each family member before filing.

Vanuatu citizenship programme costs in 2026

The current official minimum amounts published by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office and Commission are:

Application category	Official amount
Single applicant	USD 130,000
Married couple	USD 150,000
Married couple + 1 child	USD 165,000
Married couple + 2 children	USD 180,000
Each additional qualifying applicant	USD 10,000
FIU due diligence fee	USD 5,000
Application fee	VUV 5,000

 

Passport and certificate charges, translations, notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation, bank costs, legal fees and designated-agent fees may be payable in addition. A complete written cost schedule should be obtained before any payment is made.

Documents generally required

• Valid passport and identity documents;
• Birth certificate;
• Marriage, divorce or name-change documents;
• Police clearance certificates;
• Proof of address and residence;
• Bank statements and source-of-funds evidence;
• Employment, business ownership and income documents;
• Medical certificate;
• Biometric photographs;
• Application forms, declarations and required translations.

The exact checklist depends on nationality, country of residence, family structure and source of funds. Documents must be in English or accompanied by acceptable English translations.

How does the application process work?

1. Preliminary eligibility review: nationality, family structure, professional history, criminal background and source of funds are screened.
2. Document preparation: identity, civil-status, financial and medical documents are collected, legalised and translated where required.
3. FIU and security due diligence: the applicant and family members undergo the prescribed checks.
4. Filing through a designated representative: the completed file is submitted to the Citizenship Commission through an authorised channel.
5. Commission review: additional documents or explanations may be requested, and the application may be approved or refused.
6. Contribution and official payments: the prescribed payments are transferred to the designated government account in accordance with the approved stage.
7. Citizenship certificate and passport: after completion of the legal formalities and oath, a citizenship certificate is issued and a separate passport application is made.

Although the programme is frequently marketed as a fast route, no processing time or positive result can be guaranteed. Timing depends on document completeness, due diligence, Commission schedules and payment stages.

Schengen and United Kingdom travel with a Vanuatu passport

A Vanuatu passport no longer provides visa-free entry to the Schengen Area. The European Union first suspended the exemption in 2022 and removed Vanuatu from the visa-exempt list on 12 December 2024, citing security and migration risks associated with investor citizenship schemes.

Vanuatu nationals must also obtain a visa before travelling to the United Kingdom. The UK visa requirement entered into force on 19 July 2023.

Visa policies for other countries may change without notice. Before purchasing tickets, applicants should check the official immigration or consular requirements of both destination and transit countries.

Taxation and tax residence in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is generally described as a low-direct-tax jurisdiction. Official investment materials state that it does not impose general personal income tax, corporate income tax, capital gains tax, withholding tax or inheritance and gift taxes.

Vanuatu is not entirely tax-free. The standard VAT rate is 15% on most goods and services, and import duties, business licence fees, rent tax, stamp duties and other local charges may apply.

Obtaining Vanuatu citizenship does not automatically change tax residence. An applicant may remain tax-resident in the country where they live, work, manage a company or maintain substantial economic ties. Independent international tax advice should be obtained before proceeding.

Why obtain legal advice?

A citizenship application is not merely a form-filling exercise. It requires correct source-of-funds documentation, proof of family relationships, resolution of name or date discrepancies, sanctions and PEP screening, contract-compliant transfers and an assessment of dual-citizenship consequences.

Canaydın Law Firm may assist with preliminary eligibility analysis, document review, translation and legalisation coordination, source-of-funds preparation, review of programme contracts and payment schedules, and coordination with authorised programme representatives.

Frequently asked questions

Can Vanuatu citizens travel visa-free to the Schengen Area?

No. Vanuatu nationals require a visa for short stays in the Schengen Area. The EU permanently ended the exemption on 12 December 2024.

Can Vanuatu citizens enter the United Kingdom without a visa?

No. Since 19 July 2023, Vanuatu nationals have been required to obtain a visa before travelling to the United Kingdom.

Is a real estate purchase required under the DSP?

No. The Development Support Programme is based on a non-refundable contribution to the state and does not require a mandatory property purchase.

Can a spouse and children be included?

Yes. A spouse and qualifying children may be included. Dependent adult children and parents are subject to specific age, education and financial-dependency conditions.

Does Vanuatu allow dual citizenship?

Yes. Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship, but applicants must also confirm whether their existing country permits them to retain their current nationality.

Does citizenship change tax residence?

No. Citizenship and tax residence are separate concepts. Tax residence is generally determined by where a person lives, works, manages business and maintains economic ties.

Legal assessment for a Vanuatu citizenship application Contact Canaydın Law Firm to assess whether the Vanuatu citizenship programme is suitable for you and your family, including total costs, source-of-funds documentation and current travel restrictions.