Vanuatu citizenship by investment in one paragraph

Programme status

Active. The DSP was established in 2017 under Vanuatu's Citizenship Act and is administered by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission through the Citizenship Office in Port Vila. A second route, the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), is investment-linked and typically starts from US$165,000 for a family of up to four, with a redeemable capital component; terms are quoted separately. This page covers the DSP unless stated otherwise.

Government contribution and fees

Contribution bands: Vanuatu Citizenship Commission prescribed fees, verified 14 September 2026. Administrative fees: Alpha's client fee schedule, confirmed August 2026; children under 12 pay the enrolment fee in full. Alpha's professional fee is quoted separately in writing and is not included above.

Eligibility

• Principal applicant aged 18 or over.
• No criminal record; clean police clearance from country of citizenship and residence.
• Lawful source of funds for the contribution, evidenced to the FIU.
• Good health; a medical declaration is part of the file.
• Family members who can be included: spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, as defined by the Commission's rules at the time of filing.

Restricted applicants

The Commission does not accept applications from nationals of certain countries, currently including Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea and Yemen, unless the applicant meets the Commission's residence-abroad exceptions. Applicants who appear on sanctions lists or who fail FIU screening are refused. We run a nationality and sanctions pre-screen before any agreement is signed.

Processing time and steps

Typical time from complete submission to approval is one to three months. The sequence is:

1. Pre-screen: passport copies, nationality and source-of-funds check by Alpha (2 to 3 working days).
2. Agreement and document collection: police clearances, bank reference, medical declaration, identity and civil documents, attested and translated where needed.
3. FIU screening: the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit clears the applicant; the US$5,000 fee is paid at this stage.
4. Citizenship Commission review and approval in principle.
5. Contribution: the DSP amount is paid to the Government of Vanuatu after approval in principle.
6. Oath, citizenship certificate, national ID registration and biometric enrolment at Port Vila or an approved centre (Dubai, Hong Kong, Noumea).
7. Passport issuance.

Residency, visits and dual citizenship

• Residency requirement: none, before or after citizenship.
• Visit requirement: none for the application itself; biometric enrolment can be completed at an approved centre outside Vanuatu.
• Dual citizenship: permitted by Vanuatu. Whether your current country allows it depends on its own law; we check this at pre-screen.
• Interview: not routinely required.

Travel access

A Vanuatu passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to more than 90 destinations, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. It does not give visa-free entry to the Schengen area (the EU suspended the waiver in 2022 and revoked it in December 2024) or to the United Kingdom (visa required since July 2023), and it does not give access to the United States. Anyone whose primary goal is short-stay travel to Europe should consider a Caribbean programme instead. Entry rules change; confirm with the destination state before travelling.

Tax

Vanuatu levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax or wealth tax. Acquiring Vanuatu citizenship does not by itself change your tax residency or your obligations in the countries where you live or hold assets. We do not provide tax advice; take advice in your country of residence before relying on any tax outcome.

Due diligence

Every file is screened by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit against sanctions, politically exposed person and adverse-media databases, and the Commission may request further evidence at any stage. Alpha runs its own pre-screen before filing and will decline a case that is unlikely to clear. Approval is decided solely by the Government of Vanuatu and is never guaranteed.

Disadvantages and risks

• Loss of Schengen and UK visa-free access has materially reduced the passport's travel value since 2023.
• The contribution is non-refundable once paid; only the CIIP route carries a redeemable component.
• Citizenship can be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation or serious criminal conduct; Vanuatu revoked a number of investor citizenships following its 2024 Commission of Inquiry into the programme.
• Government fees and documentary requirements have changed several times since 2023 (mandatory national ID, birth registration, biometric enrolment); expect further change.
• Banks in some jurisdictions apply enhanced scrutiny to holders of investor passports.

Alternatives

• Nauru: US$90,000 for a single applicant until 31 December 2026 (US$115,000 thereafter); three to four months; no residency; Alpha is a licensed agent.
• Sao Tome and Principe: from US$90,000; about six months; CPLP residency pathway to Portugal and Brazil.
• Dominica: from US$200,000; Schengen and UK visa-free access; interview required.
• See the full CBI programme database for every programme we work with.

Official sources

• Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, designated agents register: vancitizenship.gov.vu (Alpha Immigration Associates FZC is listed).
• Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, DSP prescribed fees (PDF on vancitizenship.gov.vu).
• Council of the European Union decision revoking the Vanuatu visa waiver, December 2024.
• UK Home Office, visa requirement for Vanuatu nationals, July 2023.

Alpha's regulatory role

Alpha Immigration Associates FZC (SPC Free Zone, Sharjah, Reg. 4204438.01; office 309 Opal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai) is a Designated Agent for the Vanuatu Development Support Programme, listed on the Commission's official register. We file DSP and CIIP applications directly. Verify on our accreditations page. Editor: Manpreet Kataria, Managing Director. Page reviewed 17 September 2026.