Vanuatu citizenship is the legal status of a citizen of the Republic of Vanuatu, regulated by the Constitution and the Citizenship Act [CAP 112]. It can be obtained by descent, through a family connection, after long-term residence and naturalization, by restoring previously lost status, and through investment programs provided for by law. In 2026, the official Citizenship Office & Commission continues to expressly list naturalization, marriage, entitlement and investment among the available categories.
For most foreign investors, the best-known option is the Development Support Program, or DSP. The official fees page states a minimum prescribed price starting from USD 130,000 for a single applicant, while the Financial Intelligence Unit due diligence fee is USD 5,000. The threshold for spouses is USD 150,000, for spouses with one child USD 165,000, and with two children USD 180,000. These amounts should not automatically be treated as the final cost of a case: depending on the circumstances, additional procedural payments, document costs, legalization, passport fees and the services of an authorized intermediary may apply.
The main change in recent years is that Vanuatu citizenship can no longer be viewed primarily as a tool for visa-free access to Europe and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom introduced a visa requirement for Vanuatu citizens in July 2023. The European Union, which had previously suspended visa-free travel, finally removed Vanuatu from the list of visa-exempt countries in December 2024 specifically against the backdrop of risks associated with citizenship-by-investment schemes.
At the same time, the program was not closed. In 2026, the official Citizenship Office website continues to publish information on the DSP, Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP) and Real Estate Option Program (REO). At the same time, the authorities have strengthened applicant screening through the FIU and other government bodies.
Legal Framework and Ways to Obtain Vanuatu Citizenship
Citizenship is regulated primarily by the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu and the Citizenship Act [CAP 112], together with subsequent amendments and subordinate legislation. Constitutional provisions establish the foundations of citizenship by descent and naturalization, while the Citizenship Act and regulations detail family, investment and restoration procedures. In 2013, the constitutional model was substantially changed: Vanuatu officially recognized dual citizenship.
It is important to understand that the expression “Vanuatu citizenship by investment” combines several legally distinct mechanisms. The official website mentions the DSP, CIIP, VCP and REO. Their financial structure, documentation and rules for fulfilling the investment obligation may differ, so the fee schedule of one program cannot automatically be applied to another.
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Citizenship by Birth, Descent, Marriage and Naturalization
Vanuatu is not a classic country of unconditional jus soli, where the mere fact of birth in the territory is sufficient to acquire citizenship. The constitutional rule for persons born after independence is based primarily on the citizenship of the parents: a child born in Vanuatu or abroad becomes a citizen if at least one parent is a Vanuatu citizen.
The official Citizenship Commission procedure also provides for the entitlement category — Form C(a). It may be used by persons who have the relevant family connection with Vanuatu, including through a parent or grandparent of ni-Vanuatu origin or, in cases established by law, through a naturalized relative. For a derivative entitlement through a naturalized parent, the timing of the child’s birth in relation to the parent’s naturalization is relevant.
Marriage to a Vanuatu citizen does not grant citizenship automatically. Under the published Form B instructions, a foreign spouse must be legally married to a Vanuatu citizen and must have lived in the country for at least two years before applying. A Bislama test is required for this category.
Ordinary naturalization — Form A — requires at least 10 years of continuous residence immediately before filing the application. This requirement is also established in the Constitution. Applicants under Forms A and B take a one-hour written Bislama Test, which assesses general knowledge of the country’s legal, political, historical and social system.
A separate restoration procedure is provided for former citizens. The official procedure designates it as Form C(b).
| Path | Main basis | Prior residence | Test | Practical comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By birth | One parent is a Vanuatu citizen | No | No | Place of birth itself is not the main criterion |
| Entitlement / descent | Relevant connection to a citizen or a ni-Vanuatu ancestor | Depends on the basis | Usually not the Form A/B test | Relationship and the ancestor’s status must be documented |
| Through marriage | Legal marriage to a citizen | At least 2 years | Bislama | Marriage itself does not grant citizenship |
| Naturalization | Long-term residence | At least 10 years continuously | Bislama | Classic immigration route |
| Investment program | Compliance with the requirements of the specific program + screening | The 10-year period does not apply | Separate regime | Main option for applicants without long-term residence |
| Restoration | Previously held citizenship | Individual | According to the procedure | For former citizens |
The official standard application process includes verification of the legal basis, document preparation, filing, initial and compliance checks, the test for Forms A/B, consideration by the Citizenship Commission, completion of post-approval conditions, the oath and issuance of the certificate. After approval under the standard procedure, the applicant usually has three months to complete the required stages; an additional period of up to two months may be granted upon a reasoned written request.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
The Development Support Program (DSP) was established by legislative amendments in 2018 and the subsequent Regulation Order No. 33 of 2019. The law provides for a separate investor application and requires the Citizenship Commission to make a decision to approve or refuse within three months after receiving the application. This is the statutory decision-making period, not a promise that a passport will be issued within a fixed number of weeks.
In practice, processing times should be assessed conservatively. The Vanuatu authorities have officially announced strengthened applicant screening, and the Citizenship Commission has expressly acknowledged that additional verification procedures may increase processing times.
Published DSP pricing structure:
| Family composition | Minimum published price |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | USD 130,000 |
| Married couple | USD 150,000 |
| Spouses + 1 child | USD 165,000 |
| Spouses + 2 children | USD 180,000 |
| Additional applicant | USD 10,000 |
| FIU due diligence | USD 5,000 |
These are the officially published Citizenship Office figures. The same page contains a separate Form D fee structure, which lists an application fee of USD 250 and a citizenship fee of USD 260,000 for the applicant, spouse and one child under 18. This is one example of why the DSP, CIIP and other investment categories cannot be combined into a single “price of a Vanuatu passport.” Before making any payment, written confirmation of the applicable legal basis and the current government fee schedule should be obtained.
Due diligence has become significantly stricter. From 16 January 2025, the FIU introduced an updated procedure for the DSP, CIIP and VCP. The basic documents officially required for due diligence include a valid passport with more than six months’ validity remaining, a valid police clearance certificate, a notarized CV and proof of the government payment. Checks undergo internal review, including by the FIU screening committee.
Depending on the family composition and the applicant’s history, civil-status documents and evidence of family relationships are also required; the official Citizenship Office requires the application to be completed correctly and accompanied by all valid documents under the applicable checklist. In 2026, the authority continues to publish a separate DSP Citizenship Nomination Checklist.
The typical process reflects the general principle of the official procedures: eligibility is established and screening is conducted first, after which the case is considered by the Commission and the post-approval formalities are completed.
Physical residence. The DSP does not require the prior ten years of residence applicable to ordinary naturalization and does not use the two-year threshold for family naturalization. However, the absence of a long-term residence requirement should not be interpreted as a guarantee of a fully remote procedure in all circumstances: the oath, identification, biometrics and passport issuance may require additional steps depending on current administrative practice.
In addition to the DSP, the Real Estate Option Program is available. The REO was launched in 2021 and requires the purchase of real estate in a Vanuatu Government Approved Project together with the prescribed payments. The Citizenship Office currently lists four approved projects: Pacific Springs, Narpow Point Coral Bay, FPF Rainbow City and Milai on Espiritu Santo.
Particular attention should be paid to the CIIP. An official Citizenship Commission notice on reforming the program states that control over the mandatory USD 50,000 investment component has been strengthened and that consequences may extend to revocation of citizenship if the relevant investment obligation is not fulfilled. This rule applies specifically to the stated CIIP model and should not automatically be applied to the DSP.
At the end of 2025, the Parliament of Vanuatu recorded the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2025 as Passed. The reform was aimed at ensuring the proper implementation of investment programs and strengthening oversight of designated agents; at the same time, in 2025–2026 the Citizenship Office continued to introduce stricter checks by the Financial Intelligence Unit. Therefore, older descriptions of the program as involving an almost formal review completed within a few days no longer reflect the current regulatory environment.
Planning to obtain Vanuatu citizenship in 2026? Stricter due diligence and enhanced applicant screening requirements make a preliminary review of your documents and potential risks particularly important. Leave a request for a consultation so that a specialist can assess your circumstances, verify compliance with the current requirements, and help you prepare for the Vanuatu citizenship application process.
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Rights and Obligations of Vanuatu Citizens
Citizenship gives a person a permanent legal connection with Vanuatu: the ability to live in the country as a citizen, obtain a passport, exercise the rights granted to citizens by national law and transmit citizenship to children in cases provided for by the Constitution. A child born after the country’s independence acquires citizenship if at least one parent is a Vanuatu citizen.
At the same time, the Constitution establishes fundamental duties, including respect for the rights of others, compliance with obligations established by law and contribution to public revenue in cases provided for by legislation. Citizenship is therefore not merely a “passport service,” even where it is acquired under an investment program.
Dual Citizenship and Loss of Status
Dual citizenship is permitted in the country. The 2013 constitutional amendment replaced the previous prohibition with express recognition of dual status. This means that, from Vanuatu’s side, holding another citizenship is in principle permitted. However, the applicant must separately check the law of their first country: Vanuatu’s permission does not require another state to recognize multiple citizenship.
There is an important exception: Article 13 of the Constitution establishes restrictions for certain dual citizens connected with the protection of national sovereignty, including a prohibition on holding public office, participating in Vanuatu politics, forming or joining political parties, standing for election and voting in parliamentary, provincial and municipal elections. At the same time, the text of the Constitution expressly excludes indigenous citizens and persons who acquired citizenship by naturalisation from these restrictions.
For investment citizenship, this nuance requires an individual legal analysis: the various programs were created by separate provisions of the Citizenship Act, while the literal constitutional exception is formulated through the category of “naturalisation.” An investor therefore should not assume that a second passport automatically provides the same political opportunities as ordinary naturalization.
The same applies to employment in the public sector. Even citizenship itself does not guarantee access to every government or security position, and constitutional restrictions applicable to certain dual citizens may directly prevent them from holding such positions.
Renunciation of citizenship is possible if the conditions of the Citizenship Act are met. The law also provides mechanisms for loss or deprivation of status in certain circumstances. Among the most sensitive grounds are fraud, false information or concealment of material information when obtaining citizenship; investment programs additionally require compliance with the conditions of the specific scheme. With respect to the CIIP, the state has separately warned of possible revocation for failure to comply with the mandatory investment component.
For an investor, this means a simple rule: citizenship approval does not make false information safe. Source of funds, criminal history, sanctions risks, the use of different names or passports, immigration history and information about family members must be disclosed as required by the official form and the due diligence process. The FIU has strengthened precisely this part of the screening.
Vanuatu Passport, Visa-Free Countries and Taxes
A passport should be considered separately from citizenship. The legal status of citizen arises first and the corresponding certificate is issued, after which the citizen becomes entitled to apply for a passport. In recent years, Vanuatu has modernized its passport system and introduced biometric technologies; government reforms have aimed at stricter identification and compliance with international security standards.
An important practical rule applies to dual nationals: Vanuatu’s official immigration service states that dual citizens must enter and leave Vanuatu using a Vanuatu passport. A Vanuatu citizen is also not issued a Vanuatu visa instead of using their own passport.
How Strong Is the Vanuatu Passport in 2026?
The Henley Passport Index calculates its score based on the number of destinations a passport holder can access without obtaining a visa in advance, using IATA/Timatic data; the index is updated regularly. In the 2026 Henley ranking, the Vanuatu passport had an access score of 89. By comparison, St Kitts & Nevis had 155, Dominica 145, Malta 183 and Cyprus 174. These figures change as visa agreements change, so they should be used only with a date reference.
The main limitation is the loss of two particularly important destinations:
- United Kingdom: since July 2023, all Vanuatu citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to the UK; the British government expressly linked the change to concerns regarding the Citizenship by Investment scheme.
- European Union: visa-free travel had previously been partially/fully suspended, and in December 2024 the Council of the EU decided to definitively move Vanuatu into the category of countries whose citizens require a visa to cross the EU’s external border.
Therefore, the statement that a Vanuatu passport provides “visa-free Schengen” in 2026 does not comply with the current EU rules. Likewise, offers that list visa-free travel to the United Kingdom among the benefits are outdated.
Taxes: What Citizenship Actually Provides
Vanuatu remains an unusual jurisdiction in terms of direct taxation. The Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency states that there is no personal income tax, corporate income tax, withholding tax or general capital gains tax, while indirect and special taxes do exist in the country. The current VAT rate is 15%; the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue confirms that this rate applies to most goods and services supplied by registered persons.
However, the key rule for an international applicant is this: Vanuatu citizenship is not the same as Vanuatu tax residence and does not automatically terminate tax obligations in another country.
If a person lives, works, owns a company or real estate, or remains a tax resident of another jurisdiction, that country may continue to tax the person’s income under its own rules. Accordingly, “0% income tax in Vanuatu” is a characteristic of Vanuatu’s tax system, not a universal tax exemption for a passport holder. The tax structure must be assessed separately from citizenship. Information on the local system of direct and indirect taxes is confirmed by Vanuatu’s government investment and tax authorities.
For a migrant or international entrepreneur, this means that before obtaining a second citizenship it is advisable to model at least three issues separately: where the person is actually a tax resident, where the companies are registered and where the source of income arises. Acquiring a passport itself does not replace such an assessment. Leave a request for a consultation so that a specialist can assess your circumstances and potential tax implications and help you develop a suitable second citizenship strategy, taking into account your international assets and business interests.
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Comparison of Vanuatu with Other Citizenship-by-Investment Programs
It makes sense to compare Vanuatu with St Kitts & Nevis and Dominica because these are active investment programs in 2026. Malta and Cyprus require fundamentally different labeling: their former classic CBI models can no longer be presented as current alternatives. In 2025, Malta discontinued Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment following a judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU and amended its legislation; Cyprus terminated the Cyprus Investment Programme back in 2020.
- Vanuatu — Development Support Program (DSP). The minimum published investment threshold for a single applicant is USD 130,000, plus a published USD 5,000 FIU due diligence fee. By law, the Citizenship Commission must make a decision within three months, although enhanced checks may affect the actual processing time. The Henley access score as of January 2026 is 89. Vanuatu has no personal income tax; however, obtaining a passport does not in itself establish tax residency. The program does not require applicants to complete the 10-year residence period applicable to ordinary naturalization. Applicant screening includes enhanced FIU screening, as well as police and immigration checks.
- St Kitts & Nevis. The minimum contribution under the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) is USD 250,000; other investment options are also available. The processing time depends on the application category and the outcome of the due diligence process. The Henley access score as of January 2026 is 155. Tax status must be considered separately from citizenship. The CBI program is not based on years of prior residence and ordinary naturalization. Applicants undergo comprehensive due diligence, including a mandatory interview.
- Dominica. The minimum contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) is USD 200,000. Alternatively, applicants can invest at least USD 200,000 in approved real estate. Current official materials indicate a typical processing time of approximately 3–6 months. The Henley access score as of January 2026 is 145. Citizenship itself does not replace a separate analysis of tax residency. There is no residence requirement for maintaining citizenship obtained through the CBI program. The procedure includes background checks and mandatory interviews for applicable applicants.
Sources for costs and procedures: Citizenship Commission of Vanuatu, St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit and Dominica CBIU. In 2026, St Kitts & Nevis states a minimum of USD 250,000 for the Sustainable Island State Contribution and a mandatory interview; Dominica — a minimum of USD 200,000 for the EDF and approved real estate, while current official materials indicate a typical processing time of several months.
Dominica also expressly confirms that there is no requirement to reside in the country after obtaining citizenship through CBI.
Taken together, Vanuatu remains cheaper in terms of the basic published threshold than St Kitts & Nevis or Dominica, but this advantage is accompanied by a significantly weaker travel-access score and, most importantly, the absence of visa-free access to the EU and the United Kingdom. Therefore, choosing solely on the basis of the minimum investment amount may give a distorted view of the program’s real value.
Another distinguishing feature of 2026 is the tightening of global CBI regulation. Changes in Vanuatu, the closure of the Cypriot scheme and the discontinuation of the former Maltese model show that investment citizenship cannot be regarded as an unchanging product “for life” in terms of external benefits. Lawfully acquired citizenship itself and the right of visa-free entry into a third country are different legal categories: a third country is entitled to change its visa policy without cancelling Vanuatu citizenship. This is exactly what happened with the EU and the United Kingdom.
Pros and Cons of Vanuatu Citizenship
For a suitable applicant, Vanuatu may be of interest because of the relatively low published DSP entry threshold for the CBI segment, the possibility of obtaining a lawful second citizenship without ten years of prior naturalization, Vanuatu’s recognition of dual citizenship and the absence of personal income tax in the country. The program officially remains in operation in 2026.
The main disadvantage compared with earlier years is the sharply reduced value of the passport for European travel following the decisions of the EU and the United Kingdom. In addition, investment citizens with dual citizenship must take into account constitutional restrictions of a political nature, while enhanced due diligence reduces the predictability of excessively optimistic promises regarding processing times.
Another practical risk is intermediaries. The official Vanuatu website specifically warns about websites posing as government resources and reminds users that official government resources use the .gov.vu domain. Therefore, payment details, designated agent status and the applicable fee should be verified through government channels before transferring funds.
Conclusion: Vanuatu citizenship in 2026 is an active but significantly changed instrument of international mobility. Its key feature is no longer “maximum visa-free access for the minimum price,” but rather the combination of a comparatively low DSP threshold, the possibility of obtaining a second citizenship without ten years of residence and Vanuatu’s low-tax environment. At the same time, the decisions of the EU and the United Kingdom have demonstrated that visa benefits may disappear regardless of whether citizenship itself is retained, while the reforms of 2025–2026 make applicant screening an increasingly significant part of the process.
Before filing an application, three things should be checked as of the actual transaction date: the current version of the legislation, the current government fee schedule and the status of the designated agent. For issues involving dual citizenship, tax residence, sanctions restrictions, source of funds and possible refusal, it is advisable to obtain an individual opinion from a licensed lawyer and tax specialist and to verify program information with the Citizenship Office & Commission.
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Not exactly. USD 130,000 is the published minimum DSP price for a single applicant. An official FIU due-diligence fee of USD 5,000 also applies, and an individual case may include additional expenses. In addition, Vanuatu has several different investment categories with different fee structures.
For the DSP, the Citizenship Act requires the Commission to make a decision within three months after receiving the application. This does not mean that a passport is guaranteed to be issued exactly within three months: due diligence, fulfillment of post-approval conditions and the passport procedure are separate stages. The government has also warned that enhanced checks may increase processing times.
The multi-year period required for ordinary naturalization does not apply to the DSP. By comparison, Form A requires 10 years of continuous residence, while family Form B requires two years of residence together with a legal marriage to a citizen.
The DSP regulations provide for a resident dependant category, which under certain conditions covers dependent children approximately of student age and dependent parents above the prescribed age. However, family composition must be checked against the current version of the rules as of the filing date: age, financial dependence and cohabitation may have legal significance.
No. In December 2024, the Council of the EU ended Vanuatu’s visa exemption. Vanuatu citizens require the appropriate visa to cross the EU’s external borders.
The number depends on the methodology and changes constantly. According to the Henley Passport Index for January 2026, Vanuatu had an access score of 89 destinations that could be entered without obtaining an ordinary visa in advance under the index methodology. Before any specific trip, the destination country’s requirements should be checked rather than relying only on the overall passport score.
Yes, the law provides grounds for loss or deprivation of citizenship in cases established by law, including issues related to false or fraudulent information. For the CIIP, the Citizenship Commission has separately stated that failure to comply with the mandatory investment component may lead to revocation.
It depends on the objective. Vanuatu remains one of the active investment citizenship options with a comparatively accessible published minimum financial threshold, recognizes dual citizenship and has a low-tax domestic system. However, the passport no longer provides visa-free access to the EU and the United Kingdom, while oversight of CBI programs has been significantly strengthened. Therefore, for a person whose priority is specifically European travel access, the program has become less attractive; for a person who values a second citizenship, the absence of lengthy prior residence and jurisdictional diversification, it may still be relevant.
