Insights
Vanuatu is a South Pacific island nation that consists of more than 80 idyllic islands. Although people generally have one thing in mind when they think of Pacific islands – beaches and palm trees – the fact is that Vanuatu is astonishingly diverse. It has everything from mountains to verdant rainforests and the most beautifully clear waters you’re likely to find for hundreds of miles.
It is, in short, an excellent place for high-net-worth individuals to make their second home. Vanuatu is one of a handful of countries worldwide that offers citizenship by investment – and not only that, but it also offers one of the fastest CBI application processes, making it well worth considering if you’re looking to invest in a second passport.
Vanuatu’s CBI program was launched in 2017. It is the only program of its kind in the entirety of the South Pacific.
Vanuatu’s CBI program is known officially as the “Vanuatu Citizenship Development Support Program”, or “DSP” for short. With applicants typically receiving their passports within two months of their application, it is the fastest CBI program in the world.
Vanuatu has a tax regime that is extremely hands-off, making it eminently desirable for high-net-value individuals. Its passport is also extremely strong, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a great many countries worldwide.
Finally, the requirements of Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment program are, by CBI standards, relatively relaxed.
The benefits of holding Vanuatu citizenship are many – more, in fact, than you might initially think. Let’s take a look at the advantages of having a Vanuatu passport.
As a relatively quiet South Pacific nation, you might be forgiven for thinking that a Vanuatu passport does not hold much water internationally.
In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Vanuatu has an extremely competitive passport that offers excellent global coverage, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 96 countries around the world. This includes such desirable destinations as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, Russia, and Hong Kong.
Furthermore, Vanuatu nationals enjoy fast-track visa processing for a number of British Commonwealth nations. These include Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
It almost goes without saying, then, that Vanuatu’s passport is an impressive travel document. Presently the country is working to regain visa-free access to the Schengen Zone through a number of diplomatic initiatives.
Vanuatu, in common with most other countries that offer a CBI program, has an extremely hands-off approach to tax. This is of particular benefit to high-value individuals, who are often disproportionately affected by capital gains and inheritance taxes.
Thankfully, Vanuatu does not tax its citizens on either inheritance or capital gains. In fact, there’s almost no tax of any kind in Vanuatu; outside of a few niche cases (e.g. if you’re renting out a property or you’re running a company there) you won’t pay tax at all. Corporations operating in Vanuatu pay a flat tax of $300/year.
In order to obtain Vanuatu citizenship, you do not need to reside in Vanuatu either prior to, during, or following your CBI application. In fact, there’s no need to ever set foot on Vanuatu soil at all. The application can be handled entirely remotely, including the swearing-in ceremony as a citizen of Vanuatu.
There are also no language requirements, and no citizenship tests. Becoming a Vanuatu citizen is as simple as making the application, donating the required amount, and undergoing due diligence checks.
Some CBI programs can be a little restrictive when it comes to who you’re allowed to include on your application. Some will exclude parents or grandparents younger than 65, for instance, while others will not allow adult siblings to be included.
Your application may include:
Unfortunately, siblings are not eligible to be included.
No other country in the world can boast a CBI application process as fast as Vanuatu’s. Once you’ve submitted your application, you can expect your citizenship to be finalized within 2 months – and sometimes in as little time as a month. This makes it perfect for high-value individuals who don’t want to drag their feet.
Now that we’ve seen some of the many benefits of Vanuatu’s CBI program, let’s take a more in-depth look at the requirements you’ll need to satisfy in order to qualify for the program.
Many CBI programs offer multiple paths to citizenship. These may include a real-estate investment, the purchase of non-interest-bearing government bonds, a significant financial investment into cultural or infrastructure interests, or a donation to some sort of development fund.
Vanuatu presently offers only the latter.
The fees charged depend upon the number of people included in your application (all prices are given in USD):
The main applicant is also required to demonstrate proof of access to $250,000. Additionally, a due diligence fee of $5,500 is due.
This one almost goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: you must have a clean criminal record in your home country (and any other countries in which you’ve resided). If this is not the case, your application will almost certainly be rejected.
As you’ll be applying for citizenship, you will need to present the following documents:
As previously stated, the Vanuatu CBI application process is the speediest one in the world. When you make an application, these are the various stages you can expect:
Before making your application, you should consult with an agent that is either authorized by the Vanuatu government, or else works with authorized agents within the country. This agent can advise you if you’re eligible, and how you should proceed with your application.
This is most likely the most tedious part of the application process, but it is also the most important. Ensure that all of the documents detailed above are present and correct, ready to be submitted to the Vanuatu government.
At this stage, all that is required is to make your contribution. The cost will, as stated, depend upon the number of people included on your application. After this,
After due diligence has been completed and all documents assessed to be sufficient, the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission will return their decision to you. If everything is in order, the Commission will approve your application.
Your Vanuatu Citizenship Certificates will then be issued, and you and your dependants will receive your passports.
Vanuatu’s passport is a highly desirable one, as we have seen. With visa-free access to 96 countries and its extremely lenient tax regime, it makes for a fantastic option for many high-net-worth individuals. All that stands between you and Vanuatu citizenship is collating the necessary documents and getting the ball rolling!
Vanuatu’s passport is a highly desirable one, as we have seen. With visa-free access to 96 countries and its extremely lenient tax regime, it makes for a fantastic option for many high-net-worth individuals. All that stands between you and Vanuatu citizenship is collating the necessary documents and getting the ball rolling!
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you with your citizenship or residency by investment goals. One of our investment migration experts will contact you to discuss your case. With over 16 years of combined experience our team has helped hundreds of families achieve freedom.
