Explore the advantages of obtaining dual citizenship, especially through Vanuatu’s attractive citizenship-by-investment program in 2023. Discover the speed and cost-effectiveness of Vanuatu’s program compared to other options.
It is always better to have more – two apples are better than one, aren’t they? If your current country of residence allows dual citizenship, you can get a second passport to enjoy its benefits and add more safety to your life: if something happens in your home country, you can pack your bags and get to your new motherland in no time. Vanuatu offers a really attractive citizenship-by-investment program. It is not the cheapest one in the market, but it is quite low-priced. The program’s another undeniable advantage is speed: if everything goes as planned, you can become a citizen in less than two months, which is really quick. Sounds interesting?
We would like to invite you to our portal where you can read a full article on investment pathways to Vanuatu citizenship and discover other destinations if you want to. Not all countries in the world offer citizenship by investment, of course, but you will find information on the best immigration programs in our section that is devoted to the most popular countries for economic citizenship. You can book a session with our expert to discuss your needs and objectives and choose a shortlist of the most suitable jurisdictions for you at no fee! However, the immigration authorities do not work directly with prospective economic citizens who wish to submit their documents: you will need a local immigration agent. And that’s where we can help at a reasonable fee.
Vanuatu Citizenship: Cost
Vanuatu authorities offer only one path to economic citizenship: making a non-refundable contribution to the country’s economy. Prices vary, so you’d better get in touch with our experts for updates. However, the amounts look as follows in 2023:
- A solo applicant will have to contribute 130,000 US dollars
- The main applicant and his/her spouse will have to pay 150,000 US dollars
- If you are a couple with one child, be prepared to pay 165,000 US dollars
- A couple with two children will be required to donate 180,000 US dollars
- And if you are blessed with a larger family, you will need to pay 25,000 US dollars per each next dependent
This amount includes the registered agent’s fee and all applicable state fees. However, you will additionally have to pay a small fee for swearing allegiance to the country.
Package of Documents
Let’s look at the list of documents you will need to submit to acquire Vanuatu citizenship:
- Medical certificate to prove you are in good health.
- A filled-out application for Vanuatu citizenship.
- Passport-sized photos.
- A certificate of non-conviction issued by the police.
- Copies of all credentials that prove your secondary/higher education.
- Certified passport copies for each person included in the application.
- Documents to prove that the main applicant possesses assets worth at least 500,000 US dollars.
Vanuatu Citizenship: Advantages
There are a lot of players in the world market that offer citizenship-by-investment programs, and each of them is trying to make it appealing to wealthy individuals. Vanuatu is a new destination. Let’s take a look at what it can offer compared to other existing schemes.
Visa-Free Opportunities
Individuals seeking to obtain second citizenship usually want to know how strong the passport of the respective country is. In the case of Vanuatu, more than one hundred destinations will be opened to you without a visa (or you will have to obtain an e-visa or visa-upon-arrival, which is still better than getting it at the embassy). Some of these states require a visa if you have a Caribbean passport, for instance, so this is an undeniable advantage.
Price and Speed
If you compare market prices, you will see that Turkey will require at least 400,000 US dollars for its passport (this is a refundable amount, though), St. Kitts and Nevis will need you to invest at least 250,000 US dollars, and if you want to get an EU passport, the only available option is Malta where you will have to pay over 1 million dollars to obtain the document. Vanuatu’s investment requirements seem modest at the background of other programs.
We have mentioned speed earlier, and it is really attractive: you will get your passport in 45 days, which is much faster than the usual 6-month wait associated with other programs.
A Chance for Candidates Turned Down by European/Caribbean Countries
Vanuatu is isolated not only geographically but also politically, which is an advantage in this case. Both Caribbean and European countries have a mechanism of exchanging information on the applicants that were rejected for this or that reason, so you cannot apply in another country again and be accepted.
However, no information exchange has been established with Vanuatu yet, which is a loophole that you need to use quickly before it becomes unavailable (and it can happen at any time!). If you failed to pass the due diligence check in any Caribbean or European country, you can try Vanuatu. It will subject you to a due diligence check as well – however, it will be less stringent, and you have every chance to successfully obtain a passport.
Less Attention from Regulators
Before 2014, the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis had the right to visit Canada without a visa. However, a single incident ruined this as the local passport was issued to an investor who had roots in Iran (which is under western sanctions).
In what way is it connected with Vanuatu? Well, first of all, this is a new program that has not been advertised in Muslim countries yet, which reduces the possibility of being accused of “selling passports to members of terrorist groups” and things like that – with appropriate sanctions to follow. Second, the influence of the European countries and the US is not very noticeable in Vanuatu, which means that the possibility of scandals is reduced to an acceptable minimum.
Other Benefits
- Vanuatu is a paradise with a tropical climate whose nature is almost untouched.
- This is a peaceful eco-friendly country characterized by political and economic stability.
- Vanuatu is an excellent tourist destination that has transport connections with all countries across the globe.
- The destination is a financial center, so you will be able to take advantage of its excellent banking.
- Entrepreneurs and investors get numerous bonuses if they obtain a Vanuatu passport.
- Finally, Vanuatu is a low-tax jurisdiction, and the cost of the labor force is not very high. Thus, it is an almost ideal country to start your business.