Investing in Vanuatu Citizenship: A Guide for Prospective Applicants

Constantin Macri 03/03/2023 | 01:44

With its string of 80 islands, Vanuatu is a dream destination for anybody wishing to leave their old lives behind and start fresh. Vanuatu is a nation of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, and its landscape has mountains, tropical jungles, and azure oceans. Foreigners can get passports from the tropical island nation of Vanuatu in as little as two months thanks to the country’s “citizenship by investment” program.

 

The experts at Global Residence Index can help you complete your application quickly, easily, and accurately. Read on to learn more about citizenship in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu’s “citizenship by investment” 

Citizenship by investment in Vanuatu provides foreign nationals with voting rights and other benefits in exchange for contributing financially to the country’s development. The South Pacific has never seen an effort like this one, launched in 2017. One of the quickest and easiest ways to get a second passport is through the Vanuatu Citizenship Development Support Program (DSP).

While not the cheapest choice, Vanuatu’s citizenship route is among the most straightforward because it requires so little initial investment; persons seeking solitude will benefit greatly from holding a Vanuatu passport.

The reason for Vanuatu

Exactly why would you desire a passport from Vanuatu? Even though it’s the only CBI in the Pacific, its relative isolation is arguably its biggest selling point. The term “middle of nowhere” would include Vanuatu in its definition. The distance from the rest of the globe is great, although it is only a few hours by plane from Brisbane, Sydney, and Auckland.

The location of Vanuatu on the map has become one of the country’s most significant resources thanks to its strategic positioning. Its secluded location, which provides a welcome respite from the stresses of the rest of the world, and its unspoiled natural beauty likely account for the country’s constant ranking as the “Happiest Country on Earth.” The approximately 300,000 residents of Vanuatu enjoy living in a country with exceptionally pure air, water, and food, all of which are sure to become highly sought after in the years to come.

With a median age of barely 21 years old, Vanuatu’s labor force is brimming with potential. Being a member of the Commonwealth gives the people of Vanuatu special privileges in the United Kingdom. The people of Vanuatu speak a total of almost 100 different languages and dialects across the country’s islands, giving them the world record for the highest language density per capita. The government recognized three languages— French, English, and Bislama—as official.

Three-quarters of the year in Vanuatu are hot and humid due to the country’s tropical climate. Despite its paradisiacal location, the archipelago frequently experiences tropical storms and earthquakes due to its volcanic origins. But the islands have contingency plans in place for when this happens.

Pursuing Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

Accurate information on the Vanuatu citizenship by investment scheme is among the most difficult to come by. That’s why it’s important right now. We know that a very large number—in the thousands—of passports have been issued by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office to foreign investors. Undoubtedly, this CBI has been fruitful.

Different Citizenship-By-Investment Programs: A Tale Of Two

You read it right; Vanuatu has already started and runs five citizenship programs. The precise figure is dependent on whom you inquire. The two most well-known ones are both ongoing at the same time, albeit with distinct audiences in mind:

  • You are not eligible to participate in the Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP) since it is designed for people living in mainland China. The VCP is operated by a single agent based in Hong Kong. Discounts for this program were once common to increase participation.
  • Multiple international organizations with government backing oversee the Vanuatu Development Support Program (VDSP). Launched in January 2017, its primary goal is to expand Vanuatu’s economy to sustain its infrastructure, development, and transformation.

How can a single nation justify having multiple citizenship-by-investment options? No one is sure. Before recently, each program had a unique set of requirements, procedures, and citizenship benefits.

After realizing that this was giving potential investors reason to distrust the integrity of Vanuatu’s CBI program, the government set out to unite all of its CBIs under a single umbrella. The new head of the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission has been tasked with finding an answer to this seeming contradiction. The features, costs, and procedures may have changed names, but they are now essentially the same.

If you are concerned about your personal and financial data safety, you will be pleased to know that the citizenship program accepts Bitcoin as payment. However, various government-approved agents may attempt to confiscate your Bitcoins. After that, transfer the funds to the US Treasury in US dollars.

Take The Path To Citizenship In Vanuatu

Getting a CBI from Vanuatu is surprisingly straightforward despite the country’s complex history, and many CBI programs are active at once. Things are okay if you ignore all that came before the Vanuatu Development Support Program (VDSP) and concentrate on it alone. Donations are the exclusive means of accessing Vanuatu CBI. The one-time, non-refundable gift to the Vanuatu government fund is the price of citizenship.

  • The cost is at least $180,000 for a family of four
  • $130,000 for a single applicant
  • $150,000 for a married couple

At an additional $25,000, you are welcome to bring your partner and any children younger than 18. The application price is $5,000, which includes the cost of all required paperwork and government expenses for all applicants who share the same primary applicant. Passport applications, citizenship exams, and certificates cost an additional $400.

If you donate money to the government through an agent, you should ensure they’re getting the same percentage as everyone else. If the recruitment firm estimates that you will need to spend more than $135,400 on a single candidate, you should seek elsewhere. You’ll also need to show that you have at least $500,000 in total assets, including $250,000 in liquid banking assets. It’s not set in stone.

Vanuatu does not require full or even partial payment of the investment before applying; rather, it is more concerned that you are trustworthy with the funds. We’ve already emphasized how quickly the process is; it’s among the quickest in the CBI sector. When everything goes perfectly, getting a passport takes only eight weeks.

Conclusion

What comes of those discussions is anyone’s guess. Still, if you’re ready to take the plunge and gain Vanuatu citizenship by investment right now, you’ll want to work with a trusted counselor. 

 

Photo: Dreamstime.com

BR Magazine | Latest Issue

Download PDF: Business Review Magazine March (II) 2024 Issue

The March (II) 2024 issue of Business Review Magazine is now available in digital format, featuring the main cover story titled “BAT DBS Romania Hub: A Vibrant New Office For An Employee-Centric
Constantin Macri | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
Advertisement Advertisement
Close ×

We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used.

Accept & continue