How to obtain Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

About the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program

The Vanuatu CBI is an alternative to Caribbean citizenship schemes.

While many in the investment migration community are well-acquainted with the Caribbean options, a lesser-known but equally practical donation-based CBI is the Vanuatu citizenship by investment.

The Vanuatu CBI is mainly used by Chinese and Middle Eastern citizens, who are drawn by the travel freedom enabled by the passport. At the same time, many Westerners have found this option appealing as a Plan B due to Vanuatu being both notionally and physically “off the radar.”

You can find the list of countries you can visit visa-free with a Vanuatu passport. Do keep in mind however, that the Vanuatu passport does not offer visa-free travel to the EU and UK as many Caribbean CBI passports do.

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program has the option to be paid with cryptocurrency and involves a lesser paperwork burden compared to similar island citizenships.

Why obtain Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

The program has several key competitive advantages:

• Affordability – it costs from $135,000 including fees for a single applicant, and from $155,000 including fees for a couple.
• Rapid processing time – the turnaround is among the fastest in the industry. You can get your passport within four months of applying
• Pay with cryptocurrency – It is possible to pay the donation for the Vanuatu citizenship by investment with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
• Can be obtained remotely in certain cases.
• Visa-free travel to Russia
• Ability to add many dependents to your application, including parents, grandparents and children.
• Vanuatu is an Anglophone country

This program is a compelling option for crypto investors as it presents a way to reinvest proceeds from crypto investments without needing to introduce them back into the banking system. Not all agents offer this service, but Laszlo does (more details below).

It is also a good option for individuals facing obstacles with renewing their passports. In certain cases, a birth certificate along with an expired passport may suffice to apply.

Documents required to apply for Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

The application process for the Vanuatu CBI is relatively straightforward. The documents listed below are required of all applicants and must be certified by a lawyer or notary public.

• Certified copy of passport
• Passport photo
• Certified copy of birth certificate and marriage certificate if applicable
• Certified copy of your national identity card
• Criminal background check from your country of origin and countries of residency
• Certified copy of resume and diploma
• Certified declaration of your global assets
• Medical clearance report
• Fully completed nomination form for the program
• Source of funds declaration

All documents must be translated to English and certified accordingly.

Citizens of certain countries may have to submit additional documentation.

Recent changes to the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment options

In March 2025, Vanuatu suspended its CIIP (Capital Investment Immigration Plan), creating some confusion as to whether the country’s citizenship program remains active.

The answer is yes. The main donation-based pathway to citizenship outlined above, known as the Vanuatu DSP (Vanuatu Development Support Plan) remains open for applications.

Choose the right partner for the Vanuatu CBI program

CBI programs are highly nuanced, and each has specific advantages or disadvantages for the individual.

• Some have visa-free access to Russia, or China, while others do not.
• Some of these countries don’t charge income tax to their residents, whereas others may expose you to taxation if you choose to reside there
• Some citizenship by investment programs have more reputational baggage than others, which can mean skeptical looks at banks and airports.
• Some allow your unborn children and grandchildren to obtain citizenship, while others make it more complicated.
• Some will take issue with your personal history: if you have had issues with the law in the past, such as impaired driving or misdemeanor charges, some programs will gladly accept your application fee and then reject you, whilst others will be more understanding.

My point is that you must be careful who you work with as most of the information is not in pamphlets and basic PDFs.

Laszlo

Video: Vanuatu vs. Caribbean CBI

I interviewed Laszlo on the differences between the Vanuatu and the Caribbean citizenship by investment options.

Get citizenship by investment in Vanuatu with Laszlo

Other Golden Visas and Citizenships by Investment options:

• Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment
• Fastest way to get Permanent Residency in Malta
• Best Deal for the Citizenship by Investment in Turkey
• Be careful when you obtain a Second Passport in the Caribbean
• St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment
• Buy affordable real estate to obtain the Egyptian citizenship by Investment
• How to get Residency / a Golden Visa in Italy
• Changes to Citizenship by Investment in Turkey – deposit option
• Vanuatu or Caribbean passport? Which to choose, and why?