Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (DSP / VDSP)
Vanuatu's Development Support Programme (DSP) is widely regarded as the world's fastest citizenship by investment program, with processing times as short as 30–60 days in many cases. The non-refundable contribution starts at approximately $130,000 for a single applicant. Vanuatu has no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax, which adds to its appeal. However, the EU suspended Vanuatu's visa-free access to the Schengen area in 2022 due to due diligence concerns, which significantly reduced the passport's travel value. The program's due diligence standards have been subject to international scrutiny and ongoing reform.
Program Details
- Individual Cost
- $130,000
- Family of 4 Cost
- $180,000
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Residency Required
- None; no physical presence required
- Due Diligence
- Standard
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 113
- Dual Citizenship
- Accepted
- Renunciation Required
- No
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Amount (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Development Support Programme contribution — individual | $130,000 | Family of 4 (main + spouse + 2 minors): approx. $180,000 |
| Due diligence fees — main applicant | $5,000 | |
| Due diligence fees — spouse | $2,500 | |
| Certificate of naturalization fee | $1,500 | |
| Agent/legal fees (estimate) | $10,000 |
Nationality Restrictions
This program does not accept applications from nationals of: Nationals of sanctioned countries ineligible; applicants from certain high-risk jurisdictions face rejection
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 (rates vary slightly by agent and exact family composition). Fastest CBI program globally — approvals regularly processed within 30–60 days. No real estate or investment route exists; donation to DSP is the only route. 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 sanctioned states (OFAC, UN, EU)
- ⚠Adverse findings in Interpol or international financial intelligence databases
- ⚠Source-of-funds concerns — cryptocurrency without clear KYC trail can be problematic
- ⚠Prior refusal or revocation in any CBI program
- ⚠Reputational risk flagged by due-diligence provider
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 in full-time education may be included for additional fees. Financially dependent parents aged 50+ may be included for additional fees. 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.
Travel Benefits
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 90
- Schengen
- —
- UK
- ✓
- US E-2 Treaty
- —
- Canada eTA
- —
Post-Citizenship Tax Implications
Vanuatu has no income tax, no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, and no inheritance tax. Tax residency is triggered only by physical presence in Vanuatu (183+ days). Holding a Vanuatu passport while residing elsewhere creates no Vanuatu tax obligation. Vanuatu is widely considered one of the most tax-friendly jurisdictions globally for physical residents — there is simply no personal income tax regime. Note: citizenship-based taxation countries (e.g., the US) continue to tax their nationals on worldwide income regardless of second passport.
Recent Changes
The European Union formally suspended visa-free access to the Schengen Area for Vanuatu passport holders under Article 21 of the EU Visa Regulation, citing non-reciprocity and concerns about inadequate due-diligence standards in the Vanuatu CBI program. This was a significant devaluation of the passport's travel utility for European travel. Vanuatu passport holders now require a Schengen visa to enter EU/Schengen zone countries.
source →Vanuatu introduced enhanced due-diligence reforms including mandatory third-party background checks and improved document authentication requirements in a bid to address EU and international concerns and potentially restore Schengen access.
source →
Programme FAQs
Can Vanuatu passport holders still visit EU countries?
Sources: ec.europa.eucitizenship.gov.vu
Why is Vanuatu the fastest CBI program in the world?
Sources: citizenship.gov.vu
Is there any residency requirement for Vanuatu citizenship?
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.