Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (DSP / VDSP)
Vanuatu's Development Support Programme (DSP) — operating alongside its predecessor the Vanuatu Development Support Programme (VDSP) — is consistently cited as the world's fastest citizenship by investment program, with approvals routinely issued within 30 to 60 days of a complete submission. The non-refundable contribution begins at approximately USD 130,000 for a single applicant and rises to roughly USD 180,000 for a family of four. There is only one investment route: a donation to the government's development fund. No real estate purchase, bond subscription, or business investment option exists. Vanuatu permits dual citizenship and imposes no renunciation requirement, making it straightforward for holders of other passports to add Vanuatu nationality. No physical presence in Vanuatu is required before, during, or after the application; the oath of allegiance may be taken before a Vanuatu-authorised official anywhere in the world. The program's most significant setback came in February 2022, when the European Union formally suspended visa-free Schengen access for all Vanuatu passport holders under Article 21 of the EU Visa Regulation. The EU cited inadequate due-diligence standards and integrity concerns in the DSP as the grounds for suspension. Vanuatu passport holders must now obtain a Schengen visa in advance to enter EU member states and associated Schengen countries. UK visa-free access remains intact, and the passport retains entry to approximately 90 destinations on a visa-free or visa-on-arrival basis post-suspension. Vanuatu has since introduced enhanced due-diligence reforms — including mandatory third-party background checks and improved document authentication — in a declared effort to address EU concerns and potentially seek reinstatement of Schengen access. As of the lastVerified date, EU Schengen access has not been restored. Prospective applicants should treat EU travel access as unavailable for the foreseeable future and conduct their own due diligence on the program's current international standing before committing. Vanuatu itself levies no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax, which gives the jurisdiction genuine appeal for those intending to become physical residents.
Program Details
- Individual Cost
- $130,000
- Family of 4 Cost
- $180,000
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Residency Required
- None; no physical presence required at any stage
- Due Diligence
- Enhanced
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 113
- Dual Citizenship
- Accepted
- Renunciation Required
- No
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Amount (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Development Support Programme (DSP) contribution — individual | $130,000 | Non-refundable government contribution; the only route available |
| DSP contribution increment — spouse | $15,000 | Approximate additional contribution for spousal inclusion |
| DSP contribution increment — each minor child | $5,000 | Per dependent child under 18; family of 4 total approximately USD 180,000 |
| Due diligence fees — main applicant | $5,000 | |
| Due diligence fees — spouse | $2,500 | |
| Certificate of naturalisation fee | $1,500 | |
| Agent / legal fees (estimate) | $10,000 | Applications must be submitted through a Vanuatu-authorised agent |
Nationality Restrictions
This program does not accept applications from nationals of: Nationals of countries subject to UN, EU, or OFAC sanctions are ineligible, Applicants from certain high-risk jurisdictions face heightened screening or rejection, North Korea, Iran, and similar sanctioned states explicitly excluded
Investment Routes
| Route | Amount (USD) | Lock-up (years) | Exit-Value Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Fund Donation | $130,000 | — | Non-refundable contribution to the Development Support Programme (DSP). Single applicant: approximately USD 130,000. Family of 4: approximately USD 150,000–180,000 depending on exact family composition and agent pricing. This is the only available route — there is no real estate, bonds, or business investment alternative. Fastest CBI program globally; approvals routinely processed in 30–60 days. Source: citizenship.gov.vu |
Realistic Total Timeline
1–2 months
End-to-end from application submission to passport issuance, based on recent reported timelines. Times assume a complete file; source- of-funds gaps or refusals can extend significantly.
Due Diligence
- Provider
- Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) + Government of Vanuatu Citizenship Office + third-party due-diligence providers (typically Exiger or Control Risks via authorised agents)
- Depth Level
- enhanced
Common Disqualifiers
- ⚠Criminal record in any jurisdiction
- ⚠Nationals of UN-, OFAC-, or EU-sanctioned states
- ⚠Adverse findings in Interpol or international financial intelligence databases
- ⚠Cryptocurrency source-of-funds without clear, auditable KYC trail
- ⚠Prior refusal or revocation in any CBI program
- ⚠Reputational risk flagged by due-diligence provider
- ⚠Unresolved civil or regulatory proceedings that suggest financial crime exposure
Approved Agents
Applications must be submitted through a licensed agent approved by the programme authority.
Official approved-agents directory →Family Inclusion
- Siblings
- Not included
- Parents Min Age
- 50+
- Max Child Age
- 25
- Grandparents
- Not included
Spouse and dependent children under 18 included. Children aged 18–25 who are financially dependent and enrolled in full-time education may be included for additional fees. Financially dependent parents aged 50 or older may be included for additional contributions. No visit or residency requirement before or after citizenship is granted. The oath of allegiance can be administered by a Vanuatu-authorised official outside Vanuatu, enabling fully remote completion.
Travel Benefits
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 90
- Schengen
- —
- UK
- ✓
- US E-2 Treaty
- —
- Canada eTA
- —
Post-Citizenship Tax Implications
Vanuatu has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, and no inheritance tax. Tax residency is triggered only by physical presence in Vanuatu (183 or more days per year). Holding a Vanuatu passport while residing elsewhere creates no Vanuatu tax obligation. Vanuatu is one of the few sovereign jurisdictions that operates with no direct personal taxation regime whatsoever, making it attractive for individuals who intend to relocate. Note: citizens of countries with citizenship-based taxation — most notably the United States — remain subject to their home country's worldwide income tax obligations regardless of any second passport held.
Recent Changes
The European Union formally suspended visa-free Schengen access for Vanuatu passport holders under Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, citing due-diligence and integrity concerns about the DSP program. This suspension applies to all Vanuatu passports regardless of how citizenship was obtained. Vanuatu nationals must now apply for a Schengen visa in advance.
source →Vanuatu introduced a package of enhanced due-diligence reforms including mandatory third-party background checks by accredited screening firms and tightened document-authentication requirements, announced as part of an effort to address EU concerns and seek restoration of Schengen access.
source →As of early 2024, the EU Schengen suspension remained in effect. The European Commission had not announced a timetable for review or reinstatement. Vanuatu continues to operate the DSP and market the reformed due-diligence standards to international applicants.
source →
Programme FAQs
Why is Vanuatu's program the fastest CBI globally, and is that speed a red flag?
Sources: citizenship.gov.vuec.europa.eu
Can Vanuatu passport holders visit EU countries after the 2022 suspension?
Sources: ec.europa.eucitizenship.gov.vu
Does Vanuatu allow dual citizenship?
Sources: citizenship.gov.vu
Who is not eligible for the Vanuatu DSP?
Sources: citizenship.gov.vu
Is there any physical presence requirement?
Sources: citizenship.gov.vu
Related Guides
Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list
Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Other CBI Programs
Sources & last verified
- Official source
- Last verified