Vanuatu Citizenship 2026: Programme, Costs, EU Visa Suspension and Reforms at a Glance
Vanuatu citizenship was long regarded as the world's fastest second passport: around two to three months, from USD 130,000, with no residence and no interview. The programme continues in 2026 – but its value has fundamentally changed. The EU has suspended visa-free travel for all Vanuatu passports, the UK has required a visa since 2023, and a commission of inquiry has scrutinised the programme's administration. In parallel, the government is planning new programmes through the Vanuatu National Bureau that explicitly do not confer citizenship. This article reflects the position in November 2026 and who the passport still suits.
- ✛The Development Support Programme (DSP) continues in 2026: a contribution from USD 130,000 for a single applicant, USD 150,000 for a couple and USD 180,000 for a family of four, plus fees.
- ✛Since 2025, Schengen visa-free travel has been fully suspended for all Vanuatu passports. The UK has required a visa since July 2023. The claim '90 days visa-free in Schengen' is wrong.
- ✛Since 1 July 2025 biometrics have been mandatory for all applicants; the Citizenship Amendment Act 2025 tightens screening and revocation.
- ✛The planned Vanuatu National Bureau is to offer a 'National Status' and a 'Digital Residency' – without citizenship and without a right of residence. The bill is before Parliament and applications are not yet possible.
- ✛Vanuatu levies no income tax but participates in automatic exchange of information (CRS). A passport does not change tax liability in your country of residence.
Vanuatu and its citizenship programme
Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific with around 330,000 inhabitants, independent since 1980. Citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act (Cap. 112), which has been amended several times and has allowed dual citizenship since 2013/2014. Responsibility lies with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Citizenship Commission with its Citizenship Office.
Since 2017 Vanuatu has offered programmes for naturalisation in return for investment. The most important today is the Development Support Programme (DSP). Earlier variants such as the Vanuatu Contribution Programme were merged or discontinued. Revenue accounts for a large share of the state budget; according to the Ministry of Finance, the programme raised around USD 97m in the first half of 2026.
Contrary to the previous version of this article, the programme is not suspended. It continues under stricter rules. In addition, new programmes without citizenship are planned (see below).
The Development Support Programme in 2026: costs and process
| Family situation | Government contribution (guide) |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | from USD 130,000 |
| Married couple | from USD 150,000 |
| Family with up to two children | from USD 180,000 |
| Additional dependants | surcharge per person |
Due diligence fees, agent fees and, since July 2025, biometric enrolment fees are added (around USD 1,000 per person in Vanuatu, considerably more at enrolment points abroad). Single applicants should realistically budget USD 145,000 to 165,000 in total.
The process
The formal application process comprises these steps:
- 1submission through a government-licensed agent – direct applications are not possible
- 2due diligence by the Citizenship Commission, the Financial Intelligence Unit and international screening providers
- 3biometric enrolment in Vanuatu or at an approved location abroad
- 4approval in principle and payment of the contribution
- 5oath, certificate of citizenship and passport issuance
With complete documents, processing usually takes two to three months. There are no language tests, interviews or minimum stays. Applicants from certain high-risk countries are excluded or only admitted after long residence in third countries.
Documents required
- ✛passport, apostilled birth and marriage certificates
- ✛police certificates from all countries of residence in the last ten years
- ✛evidence of source of funds: bank, tax, sale or inheritance records
- ✛medical certificate
- ✛CV and bank or professional references
SWICOR obtains apostilles and certified translations under documents and legalisation.
Travel freedom in 2026: what the Vanuatu passport still offers
The value of a second passport depends above all on travel freedom. Here Vanuatu has lost a great deal:
- ✛Schengen area: in 2022 the EU suspended visa-free travel for passports issued through the investor programme from May 2015. A Council regulation at the end of 2024 extended the suspension to all Vanuatu passports; since 2025 all Vanuatu citizens need a Schengen visa. ETIAS is not available to them either.
- ✛United Kingdom: a visa has been required since July 2023.
- ✛US and Canada: visa required as before.
- ✛Asia-Pacific: visa-free or visa on arrival to Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and many Pacific states, among others.
In total, the passport still reaches around 90 destinations without a visa obtained in advance. Its current position in the Henley Passport Index is well below the Caribbean programmes. The earlier claim of 'more than 130 countries, 90 days in Schengen and up to 6 months in the UK' is outdated.
| Criterion | Vanuatu | Caribbean (e.g. St Kitts) | Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum contribution/investment | USD 130,000 | USD 200,000 – 250,000 | USD 400,000 real estate |
| Processing | 2–3 months | 4–6 months | 6–12 months |
| Schengen visa-free | no (suspended) | yes | no |
| UK visa-free | no | depends on country | no |
| Interview | no | yes (since 2024) | no |
An overview of all programmes is in our article on citizenship by investment, and the new Argentine programme is described in Argentina citizenship by investment.
Reforms in 2025 and 2026
Stricter financial and integrity checks
In March 2025 the Office of the Prime Minister announced stricter integrity checks. Payments have since been routed more strongly through state-controlled channels and the source of funds is examined more closely. Since 1 July 2025, biometric enrolment has been mandatory for all applicants; a new online portal lets agents and authorities exchange documents.
Citizenship Amendment Act 2025
With the Bill for the Citizenship Amendment Act 2025, Parliament modernised the legal framework. Key points:
- ✛stricter eligibility criteria and extended due diligence
- ✛closer supervision of licensed agents up to licence withdrawal
- ✛clearer rules on revocation for false statements or crimes
- ✛more transparency towards Parliament and the public
Commission of inquiry report
A commission of inquiry spent around a year investigating allegations of irregularities in citizenship and passport matters. The Council of Ministers considered the report on 6 February 2026 and directed the relevant agencies to implement the recommendations of Part 1; see COI Report and Recommendations. Parts of the report were politically contested. For applicants this means even closer scrutiny and a higher reputational risk for the passport.
The Vanuatu National Bureau: new programmes without citizenship
With Council of Ministers Decision No 273 (2025), Vanuatu launched a new programme to be administered by the Vanuatu National Bureau (VNB). The VNB programme portfolio comprises:
| Programme | What it is | Citizenship | Right of residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu National Status | a legally defined status for vetted non-citizens, with its own travel document (non-citizen travel document) | no | no |
| Digital Residency | a digital identity and access to certain Vanuatu online services | no | no |
| Digital Corporate Registry | digital company registry, planned for later | – | – |
The VNB legal framework expressly excludes the grant of citizenship. The Vanuatu National Bureau Bill 2026 is before Parliament; applications are not yet possible, and no fees may be paid before the law enters into force.
Describing the National Status as a 'long-term right of residence' is wrong. Under the bill it confers neither a right to live nor to settle in Vanuatu. How the travel document will be recognised internationally remains open.
Tax: no income tax, but no tax loophole
Vanuatu levies no income tax on individuals or companies, and no capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax. The state is financed mainly through VAT (15%), customs duties, fees and revenue from the citizenship programme.
- ✛Passport ≠ tax residence: almost all states tax on the basis of residence. Anyone living in Germany, Austria or Switzerland remains taxable there on worldwide income – with or without a Vanuatu passport.
- ✛CRS: Vanuatu participates in automatic exchange of information. The OECD also classifies the citizenship programme as a potential risk to the integrity of the CRS, so banks ask specifically about all tax residences.
- ✛EU list: Vanuatu is on the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, which complicates banking and business relationships.
- ✛No treaty: there is no double tax treaty with Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
The earlier claim of 'no automatic exchange of information' is therefore wrong. Tax benefits only arise with a genuine change of residence – see emigrating, flag theory and territorial taxation. What the tax office learns about foreign accounts is shown in foreign accounts and the tax office 2026.
Risks: banking, reputation and revocation
- ✛Banking: many banks apply enhanced checks to holders of investor passports; a Vanuatu passport alone is usually not enough to open an account. The documents required are listed in our KYC checklist.
- ✛Reputation: the commission of inquiry, the EU suspension and media reports have damaged the passport's standing.
- ✛Revocation: citizenship can be withdrawn for false statements or crimes; the Amendment Act 2025 has clarified this.
- ✛Further visa requirements: other states could follow the EU and the UK.
- ✛Dual citizenship at home: Germans may acquire a second passport since June 2024, as may Swiss citizens. Austrians generally lose their citizenship without a prior retention permit.
Who is Vanuatu citizenship still suitable for?
| Goal | Suitable? | Better alternative |
|---|---|---|
| fast plan-B passport on a small budget | partly | – |
| travel to the Schengen area and the UK | no | Caribbean programmes |
| mobility in Asia-Pacific | yes | – |
| reducing tax | no, only with a change of residence | residence in a low-tax or territorial country |
| improving banking access | rather not | account with a clean tax residence |
| company and banking outside the EU | not needed | company and account e.g. in Georgia |
Anyone mainly looking for a company and banking structure does not need a second passport. Company formation in Georgia, for example, can be done fully remotely and combined with a bank account in Georgia. SWICOR supports residence in a low-tax country under residency abroad.
Second passport or residence? We compare Vanuatu, the Caribbean and residence solutions for your goals – independently and confidentially.
Second citizenship →Conclusion
Vanuatu citizenship is still available in 2026 – fast and comparatively cheap. Its benefit has, however, fallen significantly: no more visa-free access to the Schengen area and the UK, stricter checks, a damaged reputation and participation in automatic exchange of information. The National Bureau's planned programmes explicitly confer no citizenship. For travel to Europe, Caribbean programmes are the better choice; for tax planning, a genuine change of residence.
SWICOR . SWISS CORPORATE SOLUTIONS supports you in choosing the right second citizenship, with residency abroad, company formation and tax optimisation – fully remote and at transparent fixed prices.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still acquire Vanuatu citizenship in 2026?
Yes. The Development Support Programme continues, with a contribution from USD 130,000 for a single applicant. Since 2025 stricter checks and mandatory biometrics apply.
Can Vanuatu citizens travel visa-free to the Schengen area?
No. The EU first suspended visa-free travel for investor passports and, since 2025, for all Vanuatu passports. The UK has also required a visa since 2023.
How long does the process take?
Usually two to three months with complete documents. A stay in Vanuatu is not required; biometric enrolment can also take place at approved locations abroad.
What is the Vanuatu National Status?
A planned legal status for non-citizens with its own travel document. It confers neither citizenship nor a right of residence. The bill is before Parliament and applications are not yet possible.
Does a Vanuatu passport save tax?
No. Tax liability depends on residence. Vanuatu also participates in automatic exchange of information (CRS).
Can Germans acquire a Vanuatu passport?
Yes, since 27 June 2024 without a permit. Vanuatu allows dual citizenship. Austrians, by contrast, generally lose their citizenship.
Plan a second passport realistically?
We compare programmes, travel freedom, costs and tax consequences and support the application through licensed partners – confidentially and at fixed prices.
This article is a general analysis and does not replace individual tax or legal advice. Regulations change; the information reflects the status at the date of publication.