Citizenship By Investment in Vanuatu

Vanuatu citizenship by investment requires a minimum contribution of USD 130,000 for a single applicant under the Development Support Programme (DSP). This makes it one of the most accessible citizenship by investment programmes globally.

The cost structure varies by family size:

• Single applicant: USD 130,000 contribution to the Vanuatu government
• Married couple: Additional fees apply for the spouse
• Dependent children: Reduced contribution per child
• Parents: Dependent parents may be included for additional fees

Additional costs include:

• Due diligence fees per applicant
• Agent and legal processing fees
• Passport issuance fees
• Government background check fees

It is important to note that while Vanuatu remains one of the most affordable CBI programmes, the EU permanently revoked visa-free access for Vanuatu passport holders in December 2024. This means a Vanuatu passport no longer provides entry to Schengen countries without a visa. The passport still offers visa-free access to 91 countries, and Vanuatu remains a zero-tax jurisdiction with no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. Mirabello Consultancy can help you assess whether Vanuatu aligns with your specific mobility and financial objectives.

Vanuatu holds the distinction of being the fastest citizenship by investment programme in the world, with processing times of just 45 to 60 days from application submission to passport issuance. No other CBI programme comes close to this speed.

The accelerated timeline breaks down as follows:

• Week 1-2: Document preparation, application compilation, and submission to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission
• Week 3-6: Due diligence, background checks, and government review
• Week 6-8: Approval notification and citizenship certificate issuance
• Week 7-9: Passport printing and delivery

This rapid processing makes Vanuatu particularly attractive for individuals who require a second passport urgently for business travel, personal security, or time-sensitive relocation needs.

Important considerations regarding the timeline:

• Processing speed assumes a clean background and complete documentation at submission
• Applicants from certain high-risk jurisdictions may experience slightly longer due diligence periods
• There is no requirement to visit Vanuatu at any stage of the application process
• The entire process can be conducted remotely through an authorised agent

Mirabello Consultancy manages the full application process to ensure all documentation is complete and accurate from the outset, supporting the fastest possible turnaround.

No, a Vanuatu passport no longer provides visa-free access to the European Union or the Schengen Area. The EU permanently revoked Vanuatu's visa-free travel privileges in December 2024, citing concerns over the CBI programme's due diligence standards.

What this means in practice:

• Schengen visa required: Vanuatu passport holders must apply for and obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to any of the 29 Schengen member states
• EU member states: A visa is similarly required for non-Schengen EU countries such as Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus
• United Kingdom: Vanuatu passport holders also require a visa to enter the UK

Despite this restriction, a Vanuatu passport still provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 91 countries and territories, including:

• Asia-Pacific: Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and most Pacific Island nations
• Americas: Several Caribbean and Central American countries
• Middle East: Select destinations
• Russia and CIS: Visa-free access to Russia

If European mobility is a priority, Mirabello Consultancy may recommend alternative programmes such as the Caribbean CBI options, which maintain Schengen visa-free access. We can help you evaluate which programme best matches your specific travel and business requirements.

Vanuatu is one of the world's most tax-friendly jurisdictions, operating as a zero-tax country with no personal income tax, no corporate tax on most activities, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax. This makes Vanuatu citizenship exceptionally attractive for tax planning purposes.

Key tax advantages include:

• No personal income tax: Residents and citizens pay zero tax on worldwide income
• No corporate income tax: Companies registered in Vanuatu are generally exempt from corporate taxation
• No capital gains tax: Profits from the sale of assets, investments, or property are not taxed
• No inheritance or estate tax: Wealth can be passed to future generations free of fiscal burden
• No wealth tax: There is no annual levy on net assets
• No withholding tax: Dividends, interest, and royalties can be distributed without withholding deductions
• No exchange controls: Capital can be moved freely in and out of Vanuatu

It is important to note that Vanuatu citizenship does not automatically change your tax residency. If you remain resident in a country with worldwide taxation (such as the US, UK, or Australia), you will continue to be subject to that country's tax obligations. Tax benefits are most effectively realised when combined with genuine relocation or restructured tax residency. Mirabello Consultancy recommends consulting with an international tax adviser to understand how Vanuatu citizenship can complement your broader financial strategy.

Yes, Vanuatu fully recognises and permits dual citizenship. You are not required to renounce your existing nationality when obtaining Vanuatu citizenship through the investment programme. This applies to all applicants regardless of their country of origin.

Key points about dual citizenship in Vanuatu:

• No renunciation requirement: Your existing passport(s) remain valid and unaffected by obtaining Vanuatu citizenship
• Multiple citizenships: There is no limit on the number of citizenships you may hold alongside your Vanuatu passport
• Privacy: Vanuatu does not notify your home country of your new citizenship, offering a degree of discretion
• Lifetime citizenship: Vanuatu citizenship is granted for life and can be passed to future generations by descent

However, it is essential to verify the dual citizenship laws of your current country of nationality. Some countries impose restrictions or penalties on citizens who acquire a second nationality:

• Certain countries may revoke your original citizenship if you voluntarily acquire another
• Some countries require formal notification of dual nationality
• Tax obligations in your home country may be affected by holding a second citizenship

Mirabello Consultancy advises all clients on the dual citizenship implications specific to their nationality before proceeding with a Vanuatu application.

No, there is absolutely no requirement to visit or live in Vanuatu at any stage of the citizenship by investment process. The entire application, from submission through to passport issuance, can be completed remotely. This is one of the programme's most appealing features for busy international investors.

Key details about the residency requirement (or lack thereof):

• No physical presence required during application: All documents are submitted through your authorised agent
• No interview or biometric appointment in Vanuatu: Unlike many CBI programmes, Vanuatu does not require an in-person appearance
• No residency requirement after citizenship: There are no minimum stay obligations to maintain your citizenship or passport
• No oath of allegiance ceremony in-country: This can be administered at a Vanuatu diplomatic mission or via alternative arrangements

After obtaining citizenship, you are free to visit Vanuatu at any time and can establish residency if you choose to, but this is entirely optional. Your citizenship remains valid regardless of whether you ever set foot in the country.

For investors who do wish to relocate, Vanuatu offers a tropical Pacific lifestyle, a small but growing expat community, and its zero-tax environment makes it attractive for those seeking to establish genuine tax residency outside their home jurisdiction.

A Vanuatu CBI application requires a standard set of personal, financial, and legal documents. All documents must be certified, notarised, and translated into English where applicable.

The required documentation typically includes:

• Completed application form for the Development Support Programme (DSP)
• Valid passport (certified copy of all pages)
• Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
• Police clearance certificate from your country of nationality and any country where you have resided for 12 months or more in the past five years
• Medical certificate confirming you are in good health and free from communicable diseases
• Bank reference letter from your primary financial institution
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months)
• Source of funds documentation demonstrating the lawful origin of your investment capital
• Passport-sized photographs meeting specified biometric standards
• National identity card (if applicable in your country)

For applications including family members, additional documents are required for each dependant, including marriage certificates, birth certificates for children, and dependency evidence for parents. Mirabello Consultancy provides a comprehensive document checklist at the outset and guides you through every step of the preparation, certification, and submission process.

A Vanuatu passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 91 countries and territories as of 2026. While this is more limited than Caribbean CBI passports, it still offers meaningful travel freedom across the Asia-Pacific, parts of the Americas, and select other regions.

Notable visa-free destinations include:

• Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand (visa on arrival), Cambodia, Laos
• Pacific: Australia (if ETA eligible), New Zealand (visitor visa may apply), Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and most Pacific Island nations
• Americas: Several Caribbean nations, and select Central and South American countries
• Europe: Russia (visa-free), but no access to the EU/Schengen Area following the December 2024 revocation
• Africa: Select destinations with visa-on-arrival provisions

Key exclusions to be aware of:

• European Union/Schengen: Visa required since December 2024
• United Kingdom: Visa required
• United States: Visa required (no ESTA eligibility)
• Canada: Visa required

If broader travel mobility is a priority, Mirabello Consultancy can discuss alternative or complementary programmes. Many clients pair a Vanuatu passport (for speed and tax benefits) with a Caribbean passport (for Schengen access) to achieve comprehensive global mobility.

Vanuatu and the Caribbean CBI programmes serve different investor profiles. Vanuatu excels in processing speed and tax advantages, while the Caribbean programmes offer significantly stronger passport mobility, particularly for European and UK travel.

Comparison of key factors:

• Investment cost: Vanuatu (USD 130,000) is generally less expensive than most Caribbean programmes (USD 200,000-250,000)
• Processing time: Vanuatu (45-60 days) is the fastest globally. Caribbean programmes take 3-7 months
• Visa-free countries: Vanuatu (91) vs. Caribbean (136-148), with the critical difference being Schengen and UK access
• EU/Schengen access: Vanuatu has no access (revoked December 2024). All five Caribbean programmes retain visa-free Schengen entry
• UK access: Vanuatu requires a visa. Caribbean passports provide visa-free UK entry
• Tax environment: Vanuatu (zero-tax jurisdiction) offers marginally more favourable tax treatment than most Caribbean nations, which also have no income tax but may levy other duties
• Regulation: Caribbean programmes are now governed by ECCIRA (established December 2025), providing enhanced oversight and credibility

Mirabello Consultancy often recommends that clients carefully weigh their travel priorities against their timeline and budget. If European mobility matters, the Caribbean is the clear choice. If speed and zero-taxation are paramount, Vanuatu remains compelling.

Yes, the Vanuatu CBI programme allows you to include your spouse, dependent children, and in some cases dependent parents in a single application. All included family members receive full Vanuatu citizenship and their own passports.

Eligible dependants include:

• Spouse: Legal husband or wife of the main applicant
• Dependent children: Unmarried children under the age of 25 who are financially dependent on the main applicant
• Dependent parents: Parents or parents-in-law aged 50 or over who are financially dependent on the main applicant (subject to additional due diligence and fees)

Key benefits of a family application:

• All family members receive Vanuatu citizenship for life, with the right to pass it to future generations
• Each family member receives their own passport with the same visa-free travel privileges (91 countries)
• The processing timeline remains the same (45-60 days) regardless of family size
• No physical presence is required for any family member

Additional government contribution fees apply for each dependant added to the application. The total cost increases incrementally with each family member, but remains competitive compared to other CBI programmes. Mirabello Consultancy provides a detailed cost breakdown based on your specific family composition during the initial consultation.