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- 10 Benefits of a Vanuatu Second Passport
10 Benefits of a Vanuatu Second Passport
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Vanuatu is a small island nation in Oceania, little known to the world. Located just under three hour’s flight from Australia, it comprises over 80 islands.
The country has English and French as official languages and is regularly ranked in the “Happy Planet Index” (HPI) as one of the happiest nations globally.
Vanuatu is also home to the only citizenship-by-investment program in the Asia-Pacific region, which attracted more than 2,300 investors between 2017 and 2020.
Affluent individuals obtain Vanuatu citizenship for its numerous advantages, including a fast and remote application process that takes just 1–4 months. With a Vanuatu passport, its citizens or passport holders can have the benefit of:
- Visa-free travel to over 100 countries throughout Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania (including Australia), and the Caribbean such as countries like Russia, Malaysia and Singapore.
- Obtain a long-term visa for the United States
- Access preferential terms when applying to British universities
- Enjoy tax benefits, as Vanuatu imposes no personal taxes—no wealth tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, capital gains tax, or income tax
Let’s explore the full range of benefits and investment opportunities that Vanuatu’s second passport provides.
How to Obtain Vanuatu Citizenship: Pathways to Acquire a Second Passport
Foreigners can acquire Vanuatu citizenship through one of the following pathways:
- Residency – By living in Vanuatu for at least 10 years.
- Marriage – Through a legal marriage to a Vanuatu citizen.
- Essential Service – By rendering an essential service to the state.
- Citizenship by Investment – By making a financial contribution to the national development funds.
Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment program is one of the easiest and fastest ways to obtain a passport, with passports granted within 1 to 4 months. Applicants must make a non-refundable contribution to a state fund or invest in shares of the CNO Future Fund to support the development of coconut oil production.
10 Benefits of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
1. Quick Passport Issuance
Vanuatu offers one of the fastest citizenship programs, with passports issued in just 1 to 4 months. Vanuatu’s process is quicker than the alternative citizenship programs in Caribbean countries, where applicants may wait a minimum of six months for their passports.
2. No Need to Visit Vanuatu
Investors do not need to visit Vanuatu to apply for citizenship. Passports can be obtained without a single visit to the country.
3. Family Inclusion
The Vanuatu citizenship program allows investors to include their immediate family members in their application. This includes a spouse, children under 25, and parents over 50. However, children aged 18 to 25 must be unmarried, financially dependent on, or residing with the investor, and enrolled as full-time university students.
However, including the entire family in the citizenship application raises the overall cost of the CBI program.
4. Affordable Investment Options
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program provides two main investment choices:
- Contributing to a national fund
- Investing in coconut oil production
For those opting to contribute to the state fund, the investor alone must donate $130,000, while an applicant with a spouse is required to contribute $150,000. Each additional dependent, whether a child or a parent, incurs an extra fee of $15,000.
Alternatively, investing in the Coconut Oil Future Fund requires a minimum investment of $157,000 for individuals or families of up to four members. For each additional family member beyond the fourth, an extra $25,000 is required.
Apart from the investment, investors must pay a $5,500 Due Diligence fee. For those opting for the CNO Future Fund, the combined administrative and due diligence fees amount to $8,000. Additional fees vary depending on the number of dependents included in the application.
5. Attractive Return on Investment
The Coconut Oil Fund offers an annual return of about 5%, allowing investors to recoup approximately $50,000 over five years, which makes it a relatively profitable investment opportunity.
6. Creating a “Plan B”
The Vanuatu citizenship program allows an investor to travel visa-free to other countries and stay in Vanuatu anytime. It may be helpful in situations of uncertainty or danger in the home country.
Are you the perfect fit for second citizenship?
Additional Benefits of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
7. Long-Term U.S. Visa Access
Vanuatu citizens can apply for a 5-year multiple-entry B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa in the United States, allowing them to stay up to 180 days annually.
This visa is ideal for those who want to conduct business meetings, travel within the U.S.A, get medical treatment or sign up for non-degree educational programs.
8. Educational Opportunities in the UK
Vanuatu citizens can access Commonwealth Scholarships at British universities. Children of investors who obtain Vanuatu citizenship are eligible for funding programs such as the Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowships.
9. Tax Optimization Benefits
Vanuatu offers a tax-friendly environment, with no taxes imposed on wealth, interest, inheritance, capital gains, dividends, and global income.
To optimize tax benefits, a citizen must establish tax residency in the country, which requires spending at least 183 days per year in the Vanuatu.
Investors can also reduce their tax burden by registering an International Business Company (IBC) in Vanuatu. These companies benefit from a 20-year tax exemption and pay an annual fee of $300 to the Vanuatu government instead of taxes.
To learn more about these opportunities, simply visit our Vanuatu Citizenship page.
10. Visa-Free Travel to 100+ Countries
The Vanuatu passport grants visa-free access to 107 countries. In some states, a visa can be obtained upon arrival, while others mandate obtaining an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before the trip.
The European Union (EU) and Schengen Area nations have suspended the visa-free privileges for Vanuatu passport holders. Since May 4, 2022, individuals who have acquired Vanuatu citizenship are now required to obtain a visa to enter EU and Schengen countries. The duration of this suspension is still undetermined.
In Asia, Vanuatu passport holders enjoy visa-free access to key business destinations such as Singapore and Malaysia. In both countries, citizens of Vanuatu can stay for up to 30 days without a visa.
Complete List of Visa-Free Destinations for Vanuatu Passport Holders
Discover the full list of visa-free countries available to Vanuatu passport holders. To get detailed information, download the Vanuatu factsheet by clicking the link below:
Key Insights into Vanuatu’s Passport and Citizenship by Investment Program
- Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is among the fastest in the world, granting passports within 1 to 4 months—an attractive option for investors seeking quick second citizenship.
- The Vanuatu citizenship program gives investors the option of either contributing to a state fund or investing in the coconut oil sector. The minimum contribution for an individual starts at $130,000, with additional costs for family members.
- The CNO Future Fund provides an estimated 5% annual gain, with the possibility of recouping $50,000 of the initial investment in five years.
- A Vanuatu passport grants visa-free access to 107 countries, including Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania (including Australia), and the Caribbean, including countries like Russia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Additionally, passport holders are eligible for 5-year U.S. visas for stays of up to 180 days per year.
- Vanuatu’s favourable tax regime imposes no taxes on wealth or global income and allows businessmen to register their companies tax-free for 20 years.
Get Expert Guidance & Support
Emirates Advisory is a legal advisory firm that assists high-net-worth individuals with global residence and citizenship by investment programs. With 15 years of expertise, we help investors secure second passports efficiently. Schedule a free consultation with our experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vanuatu passport ranks 101st out of 193 countries in terms of travel freedom. While Vanuatu citizens need visas to visit the Schengen Area and the UK, they can access 107 other destinations, including popular Asian cities like Singapore.
Holders of a Vanuatu passport can enter 107 countries visa-free, including popular destinations like Singapore and Malaysia. However, visa-free access to the Schengen Area has been suspended since May 4, 2022. The UK implemented visa requirements for Vanuatu citizens starting July 19, 2023, and Ireland will follow suit on March 7, 2024.
No, Vanuatu citizens are required to apply for a visa to enter the USA. However, they can obtain a long-term visa, specifically a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, which allows them to stay for up to 180 days per year in the United States.
As of February 4, 2023, the European Union Council has fully terminated the visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu. This means that Vanuatu passport holders are now required to apply for a visa to enter any EU country. However, they can still travel visa-free to destinations such as the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore with their Vanuatu passport.
Yes, Vanuatu allows dual citizenship without any restrictions. Foreign nationals who acquire a Vanuatu passport are not required to renounce their original citizenship.
No, the Vanuatu citizenship process is simple and quick. Passports are issued rapidly, and the cost is relatively affordable. Citizenship can be obtained in just 1 to 4 months, with a minimum investment of $130,000 required under the program.
The Vanuatu citizenship program is among the quickest and simplest to apply for. The entire application process can be completed in as little as 2 months.
Yes, family members of the main applicant can be included in the Vanuatu citizenship application. This can include spouses and children under the age of 25. There are no educational requirements, and parents can also be added to the application.