Vanuatu is known for its loyal citizenship conditions and speed of passport issuance. Compared to most countries, the criteria for applicants are accessible, but each application is carefully reviewed and approved by the Citizenship Office. Vanuatu is also the only country in the Pacific region that offers a passport to foreigners in exchange for investment in the country's economy.
If the established criteria are met, each of the existing programs can be utilized.
Ways to Obtain Citizenship
The procedures are regulated by the "Citizenship Act" and Chapter 3 of the National Constitution. According to the current legal framework of the Republic, a foreigner can become a citizen in one of the following ways:
- Naturalization. Application Form "A." This right is granted to foreign citizens who have continuously resided in Vanuatu for at least 10 years. Permanent residence must be based on one of the types of resident visas. The program allows for the inclusion of family members in the application.
- Marriage to a Citizen. Application Form "B." To participate in this program, one must be legally married to a citizen and have lived in the country for at least 2 years before applying. It allows for the inclusion of dependents in the application.
- By Right of Descent or Birth. Application Form "C (a)." This provision grants residency to individuals with family ties to the Republic, such as parents (grandparents) of ni-Vanuatu descent or those who have acquired the relevant status through naturalization.
- Restoration of Citizenship. Application Form "C (b)." This is intended for foreigners who previously held Vanuatu citizenship but relinquished it for various reasons.
- Investment. Application Form "D." The program is available to foreigners who can invest at least $130,000 in a local development fund. This is the fastest way to obtain a passport, with the application being approved within 1 month. It allows for the inclusion of all family members of the investor in the application.
Advantages of Vanuatu Citizenship
Individuals seeking a second passport appreciate Vanuatu's program for its simplicity, quick processing time, and relatively low cost. Residency in this Pacific Republic offers access to numerous benefits:
- Citizenship status is granted within 2-3 months.
- The cost ranges from $130,000 to $180,000 (excluding additional expenses).
- The application process can be completed remotely without personal presence (except for the oath-taking ceremony).
- Visa-free travel to 112 countries.
- No personal income taxes or property taxes.
- Reasonable requirements for residency and minimum income.
- No language proficiency requirements (for investors).
- The ability to include the applicant's entire family in the application.
- Access to long-term visas in Commonwealth countries (Canada, Australia, New Zealand), as well as a 5-year B1/B2 tourist visa for the United States.
Dual Citizenship
According to the "Citizenship Act", a resident of the Republic can hold citizenship of another country if it does not contradict the legislation of the applicant's home country.
For more information on obtaining a second passport, asking questions, and confirming the latest requirements, you can visit the official website of the Department of Immigration and Passport Services.
Citizenship by Investment Program
The Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP), also known as the Residency by Investment program, is attractive due to its affordability and the speed at which a passport can be obtained. It is the only residency by investment program in the Pacific region. Applicants can choose from various types and thresholds of investments depending on the number of people included in the application. The minimum investment amount is $130,000 for a single applicant. A married couple is required to invest $150,000, and if two children are included, the amount increases to $180,000. Each additional dependent raises the investment by $10,000.
The procedure does not set any requirements for a minimum period of residence in the country, either before applying or after obtaining residency. A new citizen is granted the right to live, study, and work in the country, but no strict obligations are imposed. The program also does not include the requirement to pass a language test or undergo an interview with government authorities.
When submitting an application, an advance non-refundable fee of $5,000 for a due diligence check must be paid. Additional costs include payment of government fees for application processing and administrative work, up to $1,000.
In addition to the investment amount requirements, individuals included in the application must meet the following criteria:
- Adulthood.
- No criminal record.
- No serious illnesses.
- Legal income.
After receiving a positive decision, the candidate must swear allegiance to the Republic and pay the applicable fees for processing an identity document.
Recent Reforms in the Citizenship Program
To broaden the range of opportunities for potential investors, a bill has been introduced in the Vanuatu Parliament proposing the granting of resident status in exchange for investments in real estate. The "Passport for Investment" program has proven its effectiveness, and the government has decided to expand opportunities for the development of its own economy.
In addition to the existing options, the possibility of obtaining residency through the purchase of government bonds for an amount of $150,000 is being considered. However, the amendment to the immigration legislation has not yet come into force.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Once you have ensured that you meet the requirements of the selected program, you can proceed with preparing your application. The application can be submitted either from abroad or in person at the Vanuatu Citizenship Office and Commission.
The process of obtaining citizenship involves the following standard stages:
According to the selected program, an application is filled out, and the necessary copies of the passport, certificates, references, and statements are gathered. The application must include up-to-date personal information of the applicant and family members.
After preparing the dossier according to the checklist of the selected program, it is necessary to pay the registration fees for processing the application and send the documents by the appropriate method.
The applicant will receive a preliminary decision on the application within 14 days. The notification will signify a passed security and background check.
After the dossier is reviewed by the Internal Selection Committee, the document package is sent to the Citizenship Commission for a final decision.
Before issuing the certificate, the applicant must swear allegiance to the Republic. To complete the procedure, the candidate must personally arrive in Vanuatu.
After paying the fees and duties, a certificate of citizenship is issued, which must be printed out to obtain a passport.
Document collection and application submission
Although the application process is relatively simple and usually takes only 1 month, depending on the individual characteristics of the candidate, the procedure may take up to 3 months. In order to avoid delays, it is important to take a responsible approach to the preparation and legalisation of the dossier. This is especially important in the context of verifying the applicant's reliability in the residency for investment program. In general, the process can be divided into 2 main stages:
- Document preparation and preliminary review.
- Approval and issuance of documents.
You can download and review the various forms required for the process on the official Vanuatu Government website. However, the most current versions of the application are provided only by the Citizenship Office.
List of documents
The list below is the list of the main documents required for a standard application. However, depending on the applicant's country of origin, government authorities may request additional documentation to verify the candidate’s reliability. The checklist includes:
- Original passport and a certified copy.
- Completed form for the relevant program.
- 6 recent passport-sized photographs.
- Certified copy of the birth certificate (if applicable).
- Certified copy of the marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Certified copy of educational qualifications.
- Medical certificate.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Certified copy of the document proving legal stay in the country (visa, residence permit).
- Proof of residence (rental or property purchase agreement).
- Declaration of available funds and their origin for living expenses.
- Language proficiency test results (for naturalization procedures).
Review and Decision
After submitting the application, the next step is the review procedure. This is the final stage before the final decision is made. The application is reviewed by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, which is responsible for each verdict.
If the decision is favourable, the applicant will receive written notification of the decision and instructions on how to proceed. If the application is rejected, the applicant is also notified with reasons and possible remedies.
As a rule, the review and decision procedure does not exceed 2-3 months. If personal circumstances require in-depth verification, the period may be extended. Once the application is approved, a certificate of Vanuatu citizenship is provided.
Disadvantages of Vanuatu citizenship for investment
It’s hard to find downsides in Vanuatu’s residency-by-investment program. It is rightfully considered an optimal way to obtain a second passport. However, there are a few nuances that could be seen as drawbacks.
When applying, there is an obligation to prove the legality of the source of the invested funds. For this, the investor must provide evidence of business ownership, employment, etc.
Additionally, drawbacks include the complex process of coordinating investments through government structures and the challenging due diligence process. The latter requires a non-refundable payment of $5000.