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GLOBAL CITIZEN
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Live the life you were destined to live through our Citizenship by Investment programmes
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Vanuatu
Citizenship
The fastest way to get a second passport and travel to 95 countries visa-free
$130,000Investment
amount 1+ monthObtaining period Government-approvedInvestment program
The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program was launched in 2017. The terms for participation in the program are regulated by Chapter 112 of the Citizenship Law and Vanuatu government order No. 215.
To obtain citizenship by investment, the applicants make a non-refundable contribution to the government fund. The minimum investment amount is $130,000.
The investor can also include their spouse, children and parents in the citizenship application.
Applicants for Vanuatu citizenship by investment don’t need to take language proficiency tests or history exams, live in Vanuatu or even visit the country.
The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program is the fastest in the world. It takes a minimum of 1 month to get a passport, and the entire procedure is remote.
Benefits of Vanuatu citizenship
1. Visa-free entry to the UKVanuatu citizens can travel visa-free to 95 countries. The passport replaces a visa for spending up to 180 days a year in the UK. Hong Kong and Singapore are also available visa-free.2. Long-term US visasVanuatu citizens get the B-1/B-2 tourist visas for 5 years. The visa allows the holders to spend up to 180 days a year in the USA.
The visa holders can hold business meetings, travel around the country, get medical treatment and enrol to study in courses that do not lead to a diploma or degree.
3. Tax optimization for businessInvestors can establish an international business company (IBC) in Vanuatu. Although such companies are not eligible to earn income in Vanuatu, they can enjoy tax incentives.
The company and its shareholders don’t pay taxes on corporate profits, personal income, capital gains, inheritance, or donations. Instead, there is a flat annual fee of $300. The beneficial tax regime is valid for 20 years.
Who can get
Vanuatu citizenship
- Over 18 years old
- No criminal record or prosecution
- No serious illnesses
- Capable of confirming the legality of the income
- Available bank account balance of $250,000
Spouse
Children under 18
Children from 18 – 25
- Financially dependent on the investor
- Full-time students at a university
Expenses for obtaining
Vanuatu citizenship
1Option Non-refundable contribution$130,000+Applicants contribute to the National Development Fund to get Vanuatu citizenship by investment. The fund money goes to develop Vanuatu’s economy and fight against natural disasters, for example, to recover from the Harold tropical cyclone.
The contribution is not refundable and does not bring income.
Investor
Investor
Family of 3
Family of 4 or more people
Contribution to the fund
$130,000
$150,000
$165,000
$180,000
$15,000 for each family member, starting
from the fifth
Due Diligence
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
Other fees
$129
$215
$301
$385+
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship
1. Preliminary Due Diligence
2. Preparation of the first documents
1. Preliminary Due Diligence
A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer checks the applicant’s documents and searches for information on the applicant in international databases.
The check reduces the risk of the applicant’s citizenship application being rejected. If there are any risks, we detect them in time, and our lawyers propose a solution.
The check is confidential: only you and the lawyers assigned to your application will be informed of the results. You only need a passport to pass the check.
Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a second citizenship
2. Preparation of the first documents
The applicant and Mckhavens consulting’s lawyers prepare documents for Due Diligence at the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Applicants usually provide a passport, police clearance certificate and a CV — a brief description of the applicant’s life and career.
7. Taking an oath and getting a passport
7. Taking an oath and getting a passport
When the agreed investment amount is received, the Citizenship Commission issues a naturalisation certificate and submits a request for a passport to the passport office.
The applicant then takes an oath of allegiance. It can be done in two ways: by flying to Vanuatu or inviting a Commissioner for Oaths and a migration officer to a place convenient for the investor.
The investor and their spouse take the oath of allegiance.
3. Due Diligence at the FIU
4. Preparation of the remaining documents
3. Due Diligence at the FIU
Mckhavens consulting’s lawyers send the documents to the citizenship program’s agent in Vanuatu, who submits them to the FIU. The unit conducts the initial Due Diligence for the investor and their family members.
The official deadline is 1 week, but the check is usually completed in
3—4 days.
4. Preparation of the remaining documents
After the FIU’s approval, Mckhavens consulting’s lawyers begin to prepare the remaining documents for participation in the program. The investor provides their personal and financial records, and the lawyers make certified copies and fill out the necessary forms.
5. Application submission and processing
6. Approval and fulfilment of the investment condition
5. Application submission and processing
The investor transfers 25% of the investment under the CBI program. The lawyers send the completed application and the relevant documents to Vanuatu.
The Screening Committee and the Citizenship Commission review the investor’s documents. Processing takes up to 2 weeks.
6. Approval and fulfilment of the investment condition
The Citizenship Commission sends a notice of approval on the application. The investor fulfils the investment condition by paying the remaining 75% of their contribution. The payment must be made within 90 days.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Can I apply for citizenship by investment myself?
No, you can’t. Only an official program representative can apply on the investor’s behalf.
The representative sends the investor’s documents to the program’s agent in Vanuatu, who submits them for consideration to the FIU, the Selection Committee and the Citizenship Commission.
Can you guarantee that I will receive my passport in 1 month?
No, we can’t. The program’s representative cannot guarantee that the investor will receive citizenship or complete the process in 1 month. If you are promised a passport within a month, you probably deal with scammers.
Mckhavens consulting conducts a preliminary Due Diligence check. It takes one day and reduces the risk of the citizenship application being rejected to 1%. It also helps compile a complete list of the required documents to minimize the number of additional requests from the Citizenship Commission. Such an approach speeds up the process of obtaining citizenship.
Is it possible to return the investment?
Investors contribute to the Vanuatu government fund to get citizenship. If the investor is granted citizenship, the initial investment will not be returned.
The investor transfers 25% of the investment amount before the government considers the application. If the citizenship application is rejected, this amount is returned to the investor.
Do I need to visit Vanuatu to get a passport?
No, you don’t have to visit Vanuatu. The application process is remote, and the oath of allegiance takes place in a country of your choice.
Can I get a passport for my future wife or child?
Yes, you can. It costs $45,000 for a spouse to be added to the program and $15,000 for a child or parent. The sum includes government and Due Diligence fees.
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Matthew Oke Havens
Senior Consultant & Partner (Africa)