In a landmark enforcement action that underscores Vanuatu’s commitment to program integrity, the Citizenship Commission has announced the revocation of approximately 30 citizenships that were found to have been granted contrary to the provisions of the Citizenship Act and the national Constitution.
This decisive action follows months of review by the Commission of Enquiry established in early 2023. The revocations target individuals whose applications were approved under previous oversight frameworks that have since been identified as insufficient.
Why This Matters
The revocation of improperly granted citizenships is a rare and significant step in the global CBI industry. Few jurisdictions have taken such decisive corrective action, and Vanuatu’s willingness to do so demonstrates a level of commitment to program integrity that sets it apart from many competing programs.
For the broader investment migration community, this action sends a clear message: Vanuatu is serious about maintaining the highest standards of due diligence, and citizenship granted through improper channels will not be protected.
Impact on Legitimate Passport Holders
It is important to emphasize that these revocations affect only those individuals whose citizenships were granted through processes that failed to meet legal standards. The vast majority of Vanuatu passport holders — those who went through proper channels with complete documentation and legitimate background checks — are entirely unaffected.
In fact, legitimate passport holders stand to benefit from this action, as it strengthens the overall credibility and international standing of the Vanuatu passport.
“Every citizenship that was improperly granted weakened the value of every legitimate Vanuatu passport. By revoking these citizenships, Vanuatu is directly investing in the long-term value of our clients’ passports. This is not a setback — it’s a clear demonstration that the program is evolving into one of the most rigorously governed in the world.”
— Manpreet Kataria, CEO, Alpha Immigration Associates
For more information about Vanuatu’s governance reforms and what they mean for prospective applicants, contact our team.