Belong to the islands,
wherever life takes you.
Despite recent setbacks with Schengen and U.S. visa access, Vanuatu's CBI program remains one of the most structurally sound and cost-efficient second passport programs available today — for those who understand the landscape as it stands in 2026.
The real benefits — beyond the brochures.
For high-net-worth individuals seeking rapid nationality acquisition, asset protection, and jurisdictional diversification, Vanuatu offers a legitimate and legally robust pathway — without a residence requirement, language tests, or prolonged waiting periods. Note: one in-person biometric appointment is mandatory. That said, the landscape has shifted materially since 2024.
Access to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. Note: EU/Schengen access was suspended December 2024. U.S. now issues 90-day single-entry only.
From submission to passport delivery in approximately two months — no residency required at any stage.
No personal income tax, no capital gains, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, no dividend withholding. IBCs exempt from corporate tax for 20 years.
Vanuatu law expressly permits dual citizenship. No renunciation of your existing passport required — check your home country's rules separately.
Citizenship is for life and passes to your descendants. No ongoing residency, renewal visits, or tax filings required to maintain status.
Who can apply?
The primary applicant must meet all of the following criteria. Eligible dependents — spouse, children, and qualifying parents/grandparents — may be included at additional cost.
Minimum age 18, in good health, with no serious communicable disease.
Clean criminal record — no serious convictions, no active Interpol notice.
Minimum liquid assets of $350,000, documented via certified bank statement and reference letter from issuing bank.
Verifiable and lawful source of funds — business records, employment contracts, or property sale agreements.
Not a national of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Yemen, or Venezuela without 10+ years of documented non-connection.
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legal spouse; clean criminal record |
| Children under 18 | Automatically eligible |
| Children 18–25 | Financially dependent OR enrolled full-time in accredited university |
| Parents / grandparents | 50+ years; residing with and financially dependent on applicant |
One route. One outcome.
A straightforward, non-refundable contribution to Vanuatu's national development fund. No residence requirement, although one in-person biometric appointment is mandatory.. No language test. Calculate total family cost before committing.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $130,000 |
| Spouse | $20,000 |
| Each additional dependent | $15,000 |
| Due diligence fee | $5,500 |
| Document translation & notarization | $2,000+ |
| Identity card & birth certificate | $1,000 / person |
| Biometrics (Vanuatu) | $1,000 / person |
| Biometrics (Dubai/consulate) | $3,000 / person |
Major CBI alternatives at a glance
From Initial Consultation to Passport
Every application begins with an initial eligibility and compliance review to identify any potential concerns before the formal process starts. This preliminary assessment helps ensure that the applicant is suitable for the programme before documentation is prepared.
After the initial assessment, the required supporting documents are collected and reviewed. Where applicable, documents are notarized, legalized or apostilled, and certified translations are arranged to ensure compliance with programme requirements.
The completed application package undergoes a compliance review by Vanuatu's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This stage forms part of the programme's anti-money laundering and background verification procedures before the application proceeds further.
Following a successful compliance review, the application is formally submitted to the relevant government authorities for examination and decision. The competent authorities assess the application in accordance with the applicable legal framework.
Once approval has been granted, the qualifying investment or government contribution is completed in accordance with the programme requirements. Our team oversees this stage to ensure the process is completed accurately and efficiently.
Applicants and all eligible dependants complete the required biometric enrolment at an authorised collection centre before the citizenship process is finalised.
After all programme requirements have been satisfied, the Certificate of Naturalization is issued, followed by passport production. The completed passport is then delivered to the applicant without the need to travel to Vanuatu.
Questions, answered.
No. As of December 2024, the European Council formally suspended Vanuatu from its visa-free list. All Vanuatu passport holders — including naturalized citizens — must now obtain a Schengen visa prior to travel. Any agent presenting EU travel benefits without disclosing this is not providing adequate counsel.
A Vanuatu passport does not provide visa-free access to the United States. Under the current U.S. Visa Reciprocity Schedule, eligible applicants may apply for a single-entry B-1/B-2 visitor visa valid for three months. U.S. citizens and U.S. tax residents who acquire Vanuatu citizenship remain subject to their existing U.S. tax and reporting obligations, including applicable FATCA, FBAR and CFC rules.
No. Vanuatu's CBI program accepts applications exclusively through authorized representatives. Direct applications from individuals are not permitted under the program's current rules.
Yes. Vanuatu law expressly permits dual citizenship and requires no renunciation of your existing passport. Check your home country's rules separately — this is a home-country legal question, not a Vanuatu question.
No. The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Programme is structured as a non-refundable government contribution. As the contribution is not an investment product, there is no redemption, repayment, or investment recovery at the end of the process.
None. There is no residence requirement to maintain Vanuatu citizenship, no mandatory visits, and no tax filings required to preserve status. The passport is valid for 10 years from date of issuance.
Vanuatu imposes no personal income tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax, or inheritance tax. However, tax optimization through a Vanuatu IBC or change of personal tax residency requires country-specific legal analysis in your current jurisdiction. Consult both a Vanuatu-qualified advisor and a tax attorney at home before proceeding.
Your second citizenship begins with a conversation.
Share your details and a dedicated advisor will reach out within one business day. Program terms, fees, and visa access arrangements are subject to change — current legal counsel is essential.