How much does Vanuatu citizenship cost in 2026?

The Development Support Programme (DSP) government contribution starts at USD 130,000 for a single applicant, USD 150,000 for a married couple, USD 165,000 for a couple plus one child, and USD 180,000 for a couple plus two children. Each additional applicant is USD 10,000. A separate FIU due diligence fee of USD 5,000 applies. Statutory Vatu fees also apply. Figures should be verified against the current official schedule at the time of engagement. Terms and conditions apply.

How long does Vanuatu citizenship take?

For complete files from clean profiles, processing typically runs 30 to 90 days from receipt of a full submission to issuance of citizenship documentation. This is materially faster than most Caribbean programmes, which generally take three to six months.

Can Russian citizens apply for Vanuatu citizenship in 2026?

Yes. Public clarifications from the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission in early 2026 confirmed continued eligibility for Russian Federation applicants who meet the programme's standard requirements on source of funds, criminal record, and background. Unlike several other citizenship programmes, Vanuatu has not introduced nationality-based restrictions for Russian applicants.

Does the Vanuatu passport offer Schengen visa-free access?

No. The European Union suspended the Vanuatu visa waiver in 2022 and later formally removed Vanuatu from the visa-exempt list. Schengen visas are required for entry. Principals whose primary mobility goal is European access should consider this constraint carefully — Vanuatu is rarely the right answer for Schengen-driven mobility.

What is the difference between the DSP and CIIP?

The Development Support Programme (DSP) is a direct donation route — the contribution is a non-refundable payment to national development. The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) is a hybrid structure combining a non-refundable contribution with a redeemable investment element, typically directed into approved sectoral funds and returnable after four to five years. Both confer the same citizenship and passport. The choice between them is a financial structure question, not a legal status question.

Who can be included as a dependent on a Vanuatu citizenship application?

Vanuatu's current dependant categories include the principal applicant, a legally married spouse, dependent children (generally up to age 25, subject to documented dependency), and dependent parents (typically aged 50 and above and financially dependent on the principal or spouse). Other family members are assessed case-by-case. Each dependant is independently screened in due diligence.

How rigorous is Vanuatu's due diligence?

The Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) runs source-of-funds verification, criminal record checks, sanctions screening (OFAC, EU, UN, UK HMT), PEP screening, and adverse media review on every applicant. The framework has been materially strengthened since 2022, in line with international best practices. The current process is more rigorous than the programme's earlier iterations.

Is Vanuatu citizenship the right choice for me?

Vanuatu fits well for principals who already hold a passport serving their European mobility needs, whose business or family interests sit primarily in Asia, Australasia, or the Pacific time zone, who value processing speed, and whose family unit aligns with Vanuatu's dependant rules. It fits poorly for principals whose primary mobility goal is Schengen access or who are seeking their single first second-passport with maximum mobility utility. We assess fit case-by-case and recommend against Vanuatu when the profile does not align.

Pacific Option · 2026

Vanuatu citizenship by investment.

A fast, Pacific-based pathway to second citizenship. Distinct from the Caribbean five — and the right answer for a specific kind of profile.

For principals whose mobility needs are already well met by an existing passport and who are exploring a second axis, as well as for those whose circumstances make a Pacific instrument the more logical starting point. Assessed with the same standards we apply across every programme.

Image: Vanuatu hero · landscape · 2400×1600

Take a trip inside Vanuatu

The Programmes

Two routes. One citizenship.

Vanuatu operates two active donation and hybrid routes to citizenship. Both deliver the same Vanuatu citizenship and passport. The differences lie in contribution structure, pricing dynamics, and operational detail.

The Development Support Programme (DSP)

The primary, straightforward donation route. Contributions support national development priorities through the consolidated revenue framework. It is the most widely referenced programme and the one we most commonly assess for clients.

Current government-mandated contribution amounts under the DSP, per the Vanuatu Citizenship Office fees schedule:

Category	Contribution (USD)
Single Applicant	130,000
Married Couple	150,000
Married Couple + 1 Child	165,000
Married Couple + 2 Children	180,000
Additional Applicant	10,000

A separate FIU due diligence fee of USD 5,000 applies. Small statutory fees in Vatu also apply. All-in costs include professional advisory and processing support; figures are confirmed against the current schedule at the time of engagement. Terms and conditions apply.

The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP)

A hybrid structure combining a government contribution component with a redeemable investment element, typically directed into approved sectoral funds — agriculture, coconut, or cocoa development initiatives. A portion of the contribution (commonly structured around USD 50,000) is invested and redeemable after a defined period, usually four to five years, which can reduce the net cost of citizenship.

CIIP pricing is commonly structured to cover family units of up to four (principal, spouse, and up to two children) within a single contribution framework, with additional dependants handled case-by-case. Exact current terms — including the split between non-refundable and redeemable portions — are verified directly with programme administrators or the latest gazetted regulations at the time of application. This route can appeal to clients seeking a lower effective long-term cost alongside support for Vanuatu's development priorities.

For the most current contribution figures, family-unit details, and programme status under either route, the authoritative source is the Vanuatu Citizenship Office at vancitizenship.gov.vu.

Due Diligence

Rigorous. And consistent.

Due diligence is led by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), working with the Citizenship Office and external screening providers where relevant. The standard scope includes source-of-funds verification, criminal record checks, sanctions screening, politically exposed person (PEP) screening, and adverse media review.

The framework has been materially strengthened in recent years. Following the 2022 EU suspension and subsequent programme reviews, Vanuatu implemented enhanced due diligence aligned with international best practices. For principals with clean, well-documented profiles, the process is predictable and efficient. Files with source-of-funds complexity, PEP exposure, or other sensitivities receive the same level of scrutiny applied across rigorous programmes. We conduct a thorough pre-assessment of every profile before proceeding.

Vanuatu applies its due diligence standards consistently without automatic nationality-based exclusions for applicants from jurisdictions subject to coordinated restrictions elsewhere, provided the profile meets the programme's requirements on legitimate funds and background.

For the firm's diagnostic standard, see our due diligence frameworks.

Processing Time

30 to 90 days. From a complete file.

Vanuatu is among the faster citizenship-by-investment programmes globally. For complete, well-prepared applications from clean profiles, processing typically runs 30 to 90 days from receipt of a full file to the issuance of citizenship documentation. Timelines vary with file complexity or additional information requests, as is standard across all rigorous programmes.

We advise clients to plan around current realistic timelines rather than historical claims, while recognising that Vanuatu continues to deliver competitive speed for straightforward cases — an advantage for profiles where other routes face delays or closures.

Family Inclusion

Clear categories. Confirmed early.

Vanuatu's dependant categories are defined in the citizenship regulations and include the principal applicant, spouse, dependent children (generally up to age 25, subject to documented dependency, education, or other qualifying criteria), and dependent parents (typically aged 50 and above and financially dependent on the principal or spouse). Treatment of other family members is assessed case-by-case.

We review precise dependant definitions and documentation requirements with every family unit at the assessment stage. The rules are not identical to those of other programmes, and confirming fit early avoids surprises later.

Visa-Free Reach

Asia and the Pacific. Not Schengen.

Global mobility metrics show the Vanuatu passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 90 destinations, with particular strength across Asia, the Pacific, parts of Africa, and the Caribbean. Visa-free access includes key regional hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Russian Federation (90 days).

Two practical points matter for clients:

The Vanuatu passport does not currently provide visa-free access to the Schengen Area. The EU suspended the visa waiver in 2022 and later formally removed Vanuatu from the visa-exempt list. Schengen visas are required for entry.
The passport's practical value is strongest for clients whose centre of gravity or travel patterns sit in Asia, Australasia, or the Pacific time zone. For those profiles, the combination of speed, cost structure, and regional reach can be compelling. Visa-free access to Russia can also offer practical utility for applicants with ongoing ties or family considerations in that jurisdiction.

Key Considerations

When Vanuatu fits. And when it does not.

Vanuatu is a legitimate, regulated programme with a clear legal foundation under the Citizenship Act and subsequent orders. It has evolved over the past decade, as most citizenship programmes have. The current framework is more rigorous than earlier iterations.

When Vanuatu fits well

Clients who already hold an existing passport and want a second axis in a different time zone and jurisdiction for commercial, family, or diversification reasons.
Principals whose primary mobility priorities are weighted toward Asia, Australasia, or Pacific destinations rather than Europe.
Those who value processing speed and a straightforward or hybrid contribution structure.
Family units that align cleanly with Vanuatu's dependant categories.
Situations where a Pacific second passport provides specific operational or personal advantages.
Principals from jurisdictions that have encountered nationality-based or coordinated processing restrictions in other citizenship programmes, where Vanuatu remains open to qualified applicants subject to its standard due diligence requirements. Recent clarifications have confirmed ongoing eligibility for applicants from the Russian Federation, provided they meet the programme's criteria on source of funds and background.

When another route is usually preferable

Principals whose primary short-term or frequent travel need is Schengen / European access.
Files where maximum perceived stability or minimal programme-level perception considerations (in banking or heavily regulated professional contexts) are the overriding priority.
First-time applicants seeking the single broadest possible mobility tool.

None of these considerations rule Vanuatu out universally. They simply sharpen the question of fit. We are comfortable recommending Vanuatu when the profile aligns — and recommending against it when it does not.

More on Vanuatu.

Begin Quietly

A private assessment begins with a conversation.

Roughly a third of the initial conversations we have on Vanuatu end with us recommending a Caribbean programme instead, because the fit is genuinely better. We are comfortable saying so. The first step is a structured conversation about your mobility goals, family composition, and source-of-funds posture — not a transaction.

Confidential eligibility check → enquiry@passpro.co

Questions Principals Ask

Vanuatu, plainly answered.

How much does Vanuatu citizenship cost in 2026?: The Development Support Programme (DSP) government contribution starts at USD 130,000 for a single applicant, USD 150,000 for a married couple, USD 165,000 for a couple plus one child, and USD 180,000 for a couple plus two children. Each additional applicant is USD 10,000. A separate FIU due diligence fee of USD 5,000 applies. Statutory Vatu fees also apply. Figures should be verified against the current official schedule at the time of engagement. Terms and conditions apply.
How long does Vanuatu citizenship take?: For complete files from clean profiles, processing typically runs 30 to 90 days from receipt of a full submission to issuance of citizenship documentation. This is materially faster than most Caribbean programmes, which generally take three to six months.
Can Russian citizens apply for Vanuatu citizenship in 2026?: Yes. Public clarifications from the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission in early 2026 confirmed continued eligibility for Russian Federation applicants who meet the programme's standard requirements on source of funds, criminal record, and background. Unlike several other citizenship programmes, Vanuatu has not introduced nationality-based restrictions for Russian applicants.
Does the Vanuatu passport offer Schengen visa-free access?: No. The European Union suspended the Vanuatu visa waiver in 2022 and later formally removed Vanuatu from the visa-exempt list. Schengen visas are required for entry. Principals whose primary mobility goal is European access should consider this constraint carefully — Vanuatu is rarely the right answer for Schengen-driven mobility.
What is the difference between the DSP and CIIP?: The Development Support Programme (DSP) is a direct donation route — the contribution is a non-refundable payment to national development. The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) is a hybrid structure combining a non-refundable contribution with a redeemable investment element, typically directed into approved sectoral funds and returnable after four to five years. Both confer the same citizenship and passport. The choice between them is a financial structure question, not a legal status question.
Who can be included as a dependent on a Vanuatu citizenship application?: Vanuatu's current dependant categories include the principal applicant, a legally married spouse, dependent children (generally up to age 25, subject to documented dependency), and dependent parents (typically aged 50 and above and financially dependent on the principal or spouse). Other family members are assessed case-by-case. Each dependant is independently screened in due diligence.
How rigorous is Vanuatu's due diligence?: The Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) runs source-of-funds verification, criminal record checks, sanctions screening (OFAC, EU, UN, UK HMT), PEP screening, and adverse media review on every applicant. The framework has been materially strengthened since 2022, in line with international best practices. The current process is more rigorous than the programme's earlier iterations.
Is Vanuatu citizenship the right choice for me?: Vanuatu fits well for principals who already hold a passport serving their European mobility needs, whose business or family interests sit primarily in Asia, Australasia, or the Pacific time zone, who value processing speed, and whose family unit aligns with Vanuatu's dependant rules. It fits poorly for principals whose primary mobility goal is Schengen access or who are seeking their single first second-passport with maximum mobility utility. We assess fit case-by-case and recommend against Vanuatu when the profile does not align.