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Many people think only of Caribbean countries like Saint Kitts and Nevis or Antigua and Barbuda when it comes to getting a second passport quickly. But what if I told you there’s a country that’s cheaper and may issue a passport even faster? That country is Vanuatu.
If this is your first time hearing about Vanuatu, don’t be surprised. I didn’t know much about it either until an immigration lawyer friend told me about the program. It turned out to be surprisingly interesting.
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is one of the fastest citizenship programs in the world, allowing you to obtain a Vanuatu passport in just a few months. The investment requirement is also among the lowest globally. In addition, the program is open to many nationalities worldwide, including Russians.
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Vanuatu citizenship by investment, including the benefits, requirements, application process, fees, and more. I’ll also highlight the disadvantages you should be aware of and compare it with citizenship-by-investment programs offered by Caribbean countries.
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Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What Is Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program?
- Key Benefits of Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
- Disadvantages
- Investment Requirements
- Application Process
- Vanuatu Program vs Caribbean Passport
- DSP vs. CIIP: Which Should You Choose?
- Who Should Get a Vanuatu Citizenship For?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Get a Vanuatu Citizenship
Key Takeaways
- Vanuatu is one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs, with passports sometimes issued in as little as 4 months (but 6–9 months is a safer expectation).
- The most common routes are the contribution option (DSP) and the investment option (CIIP). The real estate option exists, but it’s rarely used.
- Vanuatu’s biggest downside is travel access: as of February 2026, you still need visas for the EU/Schengen Area, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada.
- If you want the lowest investment amount or the fastest process, Vanuatu can be a great fit.
- You can use this link to get in touch with an immigration lawyer specialized in the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program.
What Is Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program?
It’s a program that allows you to get a Vanuatu passport. The way it works is quite similar to programs in Caribbean countries. Once the Vanuatu government approves your application, you can receive a Vanuatu passport within a few months.
In Vanuatu, there are three main pathways:
- Through a contribution model via Development Support Program (DSP)
- Through an investment program via Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP)
- Through a property investment via Real Estate Option*
*Please note that the real estate option isn’t popular in Vanuatu since it’s the most complicated option and requires the highest investment amount (over US$200,000).
Most people choose the contribution method if they’re applying as a single applicant. However, for a family of four, it can be more cost-effective to go with the CIIP option.
Key Benefits of Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
Fast processing, a relatively low investment amount, potential tax benefits, and fewer nationality and fund restrictions are the main benefits of the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program. In addition, it gives you visa-free access to around 100 countries worldwide.
Here’s what you get with the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program.
Fast Processing Time
This is one of the biggest benefits of the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program. On average, a passport can be issued in as little as 4 months after you start the process.
That said, we normally advise you to expect 6–9 months instead. That’s because delays can happen due to due diligence and other steps. Even so, it’s still one of the fastest ways to obtain citizenship in the world.
The processing time is generally even shorter than what you’ll see in Caribbean countries.
Low Investment Amount
The investment amount for the program is among the lowest in the world. For example, the required donation starts at US$130,000 for a single applicant.
Even if you include a family of four, the required donation is US$180,000, which is still considered low by industry standards.
This is also lower than many Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs, which have significantly increased their investment amounts in recent years.
Zero Tax Benefits
Vanuatu has no personal income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, and more.
However, you may still need to pay tax in your home country. Since we are not tax advisors, we can’t tell you how much tax you can save by becoming a tax resident here. For anything tax-related, it’s best to speak directly with a qualified tax professional.
Nationality and Fund Restrictions
Unlike many programs around the world, Vanuatu currently does not restrict nationality or funds coming from Russia, or originating there via a different country. This means the program is open to most applicants worldwide, including Russians.
Disadvantages
Of course, no program in the world is perfect. The biggest disadvantage of the Vanuatu program is travel access. While you can travel to around 100 countries worldwide visa-free or with a visa on arrival, that number is still relatively low.
As of February 2026, you need a visa to travel to the following countries with a Vanuatu passport:
- EU/Schengen Area
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- United States
- Canada
So, if you need a second passport mainly for EU travel, it may be better to consider Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs.
Here’s a sample of countries where Vanuatu passport holders can travel visa-free:
- Asia-Pacific: Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Fiji, Samoa.
- Europe / Eurasia: Russia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Iran.
- Caribbean: Barbados, Jamaica, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda.
- Other regions: selected countries in Central America, South America, and Africa such as Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
*Please note that visa policies can change at any time. Always check official government or embassy sources before traveling.
Investment Requirements
The investment requirements of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program mainly depend on the program you choose. Here’s a quick comparison table:
| Feature | DSP | CIIP | REO |
| Type | Contribution | Investment* | Real estate purchase |
| Single applicant | US$130,000 | US$50,000 | US$200,000+ |
| Married couple | US$150,000 | US$50,000 | US$200,000+ |
| Family of 4 | US$180,000 | US$50,000 | US$200,000+ |
| Additional dependent | US$25,000 | US$26,500 | N/A |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| Processing time | 3 to 4 months | 3 to 4 months | 3 to 4 months |
| Popularity | High | High | Very low |
| Best for | Those who want a second passport quickly. | Those seeking a second passport with potential return on their investment | Those who want a Vanuatu property |
*The program requires you to invest at least US$50,000 in a government-approved fund. The fund targets 5% annual returns with a 5-year exit path, and the total cost in the table already includes the government investment.
Good to know: You do not need to pay any government fees, make a contribution, or invest until you receive pre-approval from the Vanuatu authorities.
Other Requirements
In addition to the investment requirements mentioned earlier, there are other requirements, such as:
- The main applicant must be over 18 years old
- All applicants must have no criminal record
- All applicants must be in good health, and a medical certificate is required
- All required documents must be in English
These requirements are quite common for citizenship-by-investment programs.
Application Process
The application process for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program normally looks like this:
- Contact a Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program agent to start the process
- You send documents such as your passport, police clearance, medical certificate, CV, and related documents to the program’s representative for due diligence*
- After due diligence clearance, you can proceed with the citizenship application
- Once you receive pre-approval from the Vanuatu government, you make the required contribution or investment
- After that, you wait around 1–2 months for final approval
- Once your application is approved, you can take the oath of allegiance in Vanuatu or at a Vanuatu consulate, embassy, or other authorized office, which are located around the world and are generally easy to access.
- You set up a company in Vanuatu (CIIP program only)
The whole process takes around 4 months on average. However, delays can happen, so you should expect it to take around 6–8 months instead.
There is usually a non-refundable due diligence fee of US$7,000 for the contribution pathway (DSP) and US$8,000 for the investment pathway (CIIP).
Vanuatu Program vs Caribbean Passport
While the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program shares many similarities with Caribbean programs, here are some key differences to help you decide:
- Travel access: Caribbean countries do better in this area. Most Caribbean passports allow visa-free travel to more countries than Vanuatu.
- Investment amount: Vanuatu clearly stands out. It’s hard to find another program that allows a family of four to obtain citizenship for around US$180,000 (all-in capital estimate).
- Processing time: The timelines are quite similar. Obtaining citizenship in countries such as Antigua and Barbuda or Dominica generally takes about the same amount of time.
- Ease of application: For many nationalities, the process is comparable. However, for certain nationalities, such as Russians, it can be easier to obtain a Vanuatu passport considering global bans on Russian nationals across most citizenship-by-investment programs.
In short, if your priority is the fastest process or the lowest investment amount, Vanuatu is the better choice. If travel access is more important, Caribbean citizenship programs are usually the better option.
DSP vs. CIIP: Which Should You Choose?
The Development Support Program (DSP) and Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) are the two most popular programs for the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program.
In general, here’s a quick way to choose the right program:
You can choose the DSP if you:
- Want to make the process as simple as possible
- Want to apply as an individual since it’s cheaper
- Don’t want to deal with a company structure
- Prefer a donation over managing an investment
You can choose the CIIP if you:
- Want to apply with your family since it’s usually cheaper
- Want to get a return on your investment (not guaranteed)
That said, this is only a general guideline. I recommend talking with the program representative again to get more detail on the options available at the time, including which funds you can invest in.
Then you can make a final decision after that.
Who Should Get a Vanuatu Citizenship For?
In my opinion, here’s who Vanuatu citizenship can be a good fit for:
- You need a new passport fast. With Vanuatu, it’s possible to get it within 4 months or even less.
- You want to invest as little as possible for a second passport, since the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program requires one of the lowest investment amounts in the world.
- You need a citizenship-by-investment program that doesn’t have a residency requirement.
- You are Russian or hold another nationality that can’t apply for citizenship-by-investment programs offered by other countries, for whatever reason.
That said, Vanuatu may not be for you if you:
- Need a passport that gives you visa-free access to the EU.
- Want a powerful passport mainly for travel.
If you’re interested in the program, you can fill out the form below to get in touch directly with the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program’s representative by filling out the form below. Then, you can find out more information, speak with an immigration lawyer directly, and start the process right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program.
Is Vanuatu Citizenship Legitimate?
Yes, the program is legitimate. It’s established under Vanuatu law.
What Are the Tax Implications in My Home Country?
While Vanuatu has zero taxes, you might still be subject to tax in your home country or elsewhere. For example, if you are a US citizen, your global income is taxed no matter where you are in the world.
For other nationalities, in most cases, you are taxed based on where you physically live (usually 183 days or more).
However, tax is a complicated issue. It’s best to discuss this with a tax advisor if you want to get a Vanuatu passport for tax benefits.
How Much Does It Really Cost?
There are three main costs when you apply for the program:
- Investment or contribution costs as mentioned earlier
- Non-refundable due diligence fees, normally starting at US$7,000
- Document preparation costs
With everything combined, in general, you should expect to pay around:
- US$145,000 to US$160,000 for a single applicant
- US$200,000 to US$220,000 for a family of four
Does Vanuatu Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes, Vanuatu allows dual citizenship. However, you should also check whether your current country of citizenship allows dual citizenship. For example, countries such as China, India, Japan, and Singapore generally do not allow dual citizenship.
Do I Need to Visit or Live in Vanuatu?
No, you do not need to live in or visit Vanuatu. You can apply for the program online through an authorized program representative.
However, there is a new requirement to visit a Vanuatu consulate, embassy, or authorized office to take an oath. These locations are available worldwide and are generally easy to access.
How to Get a Vanuatu Citizenship
You can fill in the form if you want to apply or find out more about the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program. An official representative of the program will get back to you shortly.
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Disclaimer
For accuracy, this article was reviewed by Thomas Wong, an immigration advisor from Harvey Law Group Thailand, a law firm specializing in immigration. However, this article is intended to give you a detailed overview of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program only and cannot replace professional legal advice. If you have any questions, I recommend speaking directly with an immigration lawyer from Harvey Law Group Thailand.
