Citizenship
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
A citizenship contribution route through the Development Support Program, with no residence requirement.
- Minimum
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Residence
- Not required
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- Minimum
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Outcome
- Direct citizenship
- Presence
- None
- Visa-free access
- 86 destinations
- Dual citizenship
- Permitted
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
The opportunity
Why Vanuatu
The Development Support Program accepts a non-refundable contribution toward national development. The published estimate is 1–2 months, subject to due diligence.
The EU fully suspended Vanuatu's Schengen short-stay visa waiver from 4 February 2023, and the UK withdrew visa-free access in 2023. This is a material limitation when comparing the program with other citizenship routes.
Passport and mobility
86
visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations
Who it suits
May fit. May not.
Vanuatu suits applicants who want a second citizenship without relocating. The two lists show where it fits and where another program serves better.
May fit if you want
- Applicants who prioritise speed — the DSP is among the fastest citizenship-by-investment routes reviewed.
- Applicants whose travel destinations remain accessible under Vanuatu's current visa-free/visa-on-arrival network.
- Applicants who want a second citizenship with no residence requirement and no ongoing presence obligation.
May not fit if you need
- Applicants who need visa-free Schengen travel — suspended since 4 February 2023.
- Applicants who need UK visa-free travel — withdrawn in 2023.
- Applicants seeking the lowest total cost — due diligence, government and professional fees add materially to the base contribution.
Qualifying routes
Available routes
One route qualifies: Development Support Program. The minimum is $130,000.
- Government contribution
$130,000
Development Support Program
Single applicant contribution. Couple: USD 150,000; family of 3: USD 165,000; family of 4: USD 180,000; additional dependent: USD 15,000. Fees are additional.
What it costs
Cost structure
What the program costs beyond the qualifying investment, item by item.
Qualifying investment
$130,000
Development Support Program
Costs beyond the investment
- Spouse contribution (additional)Raises the family total from USD 130,000 (single) to USD 150,000 (couple).$20,000
- Dependent child or parent contribution (each, additional)USD 15,000 for each dependent child under 25 or dependent parent aged 50 or over, beyond the couple tier — family of 3: USD 165,000; family of 4: USD 180,000.$15,000
- Due diligence, government and professional feesAdditional to the contribution. The source estimates USD 150,000–200,000 total for a single applicant; request an itemized quotation.
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
Qualifying investment
$130,000
Development Support Program
- Spouse contribution (additional)Raises the family total from USD 130,000 (single) to USD 150,000 (couple).$20,000
- Dependent child or parent contribution (each, additional)USD 15,000 for each dependent child under 25 or dependent parent aged 50 or over, beyond the couple tier — family of 3: USD 165,000; family of 4: USD 180,000.$15,000
- Due diligence, government and professional feesAdditional to the contribution. The source estimates USD 150,000–200,000 total for a single applicant; request an itemized quotation.
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
| Single applicant | Couple | Family of fourTwo children under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| $130,000 + fees | $150,000 + fees | $180,000 + fees |
Not a quotation. Figures are indicative and subject to verification.
Requirements
Eligibility and documents
Who can apply is set by three rules on background and qualification; the checklist lists two documents. A spouse, minor children, adult dependent children and parents can join the same application.
Who can apply
Background
- Complete background verification: criminal record checks, international sanctions screening and reputation analysis by accredited due-diligence agencies.
Qualification
- Document the lawful source of funds: bank references and wealth verification for anti-money-laundering compliance.
- Pay the non-refundable contribution to Vanuatu's national development fund through a government-approved DSP agent.
Documents checklist
Family inclusion
Spouse
IncludedMinor children
IncludedAge limitUnder 18
Adult dependent children
IncludedAge limit18–25
Dependent, unmarried children aged 18 to 25.
Parents
IncludedAge limit50 and over
Dependent parents aged 50 and above.
How it works
Application process
The application runs in four steps. The source estimates 1 to 2 months end to end.
Consultation and preparation
Confirm the qualification route and prepare the application and supporting documentation with a government-approved DSP agent.
Government-approved DSP agent
Application submission
Submit the application and the non-refundable development-fund contribution through the approved agent.
Vanuatu Citizenship Commission
Due diligence review
Background verification, international sanctions screening and financial due diligence on the applicant and included family members.
Vanuatu Citizenship Commission and accredited due-diligence agencies
Citizenship and passport issuance
On approval, citizenship is granted and the passport is issued.
Vanuatu Citizenship Commission
- Duration
- Published estimate: 1–2 months from application submission, subject to due diligence clearance.
- Source estimate, end to end
- 1 to 2 months
Alternatives
Compared with alternatives
How Vanuatu compares with two citizenship-by-investment programs: São Tomé & Príncipe from $90,000 and Antigua & Barbuda from $230,000.
This program
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- From
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
You are here
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
- From
- $230,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents + dependents
Questions
Program FAQ
Short answers to six questions about Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment.
No. No physical presence in Vanuatu is required before, during or after the process.
Yes. Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship and does not require you to renounce your existing citizenship.
No. The EU fully suspended Vanuatu's Schengen visa waiver from 4 February 2023; Vanuatu nationals need a Schengen visa.
The Henley Passport Index 2026 lists 86 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for the Vanuatu passport (checked 7 September 2026). Schengen visa-free access is suspended; confirm the current list before travelling.
Vanuatu levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax or inheritance tax and operates a territorial tax system; confirm your own position with a licensed tax adviser.
Yes. Citizenship may be revoked if it was obtained through fraud or false declarations, or for conduct bringing disrepute to Vanuatu.
Guide · lead magnet
Vanuatu Citizenship Guide
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment brochure: requirements, costs, timeline and the steps we walk clients through, in one document. Delivered by email.
Next step
Have your eligibility reviewed before you commit.
A specialist checks your profile against the current rules, confirms the right route and quotes the full cost picture. No documents are collected at this stage.
- Program: Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment — included automatically
- No approval guarantee — decisions rest with the authorities