Vanuatu is the most disaster prone countries in the world prone to natural disasters. Every year Vanuatu faces cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes and floods due to climate change.
Major Earthquake
A massive december 14 earthquake has left the country reeling with he 7.3 quake collapsed buildings, destroyed critical infrastructure and caused landslides. An estimated 80,000 people have been affected. Roads and bridges were torn apart, buildings collapsed, and landslides crushed cars and houses with debris. The government estimated the recovery would cost 30 billion vatu ($240m, which includes the repair of infrastructure and schools. Many ongoing real estate projects have left undone causing widespread losses for property developers.
Economic Hardship
This comes at a time when Vanuatu is already in political turmoil, economic hardship and collapse of airline Air vanuatu leading to tourism decline effecting the country. President Trump also slapped 22% on Vanuatu products. Vanuatu citizens facing hardship are slapped with visa restrictions unable to move or migrate or EU or UK during these desperate times. With prevailing unstable political situation government is unable to restore the visa waiver suspension diplomatically.
Best Citizenships supports Vanuatu during these desperate times and we ask global investors to invest in Vanuatu citizenship program and help rebuild the nation.
Development Support Program
Vanuatu has recently suspended the cheaper version of CIIP program pending regulatory changes. The DSP (development support program) remains open and it is off donation helps in rebuilding the country. The DSP is a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) initiative created by the government to fund infrastructure and promote economic development in the country.
| Application | Vanuatu DSP program costs in USD |
| Single Applicant | $130,000 |
| Married Couple | $150,000 |
| Married Couple + 1 Child under 18 | $165,000 |
| Married Couple + 2 Children under 18 | $180,000 |
* Additional FIU due diligence check fee applies.
The Prime Minister Napat announced Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment program continues to welcome applicants with legitimate intentions, such as those seeking to relocate to a safe and beautiful country.
We will not harbour fugitives or criminals. We have zero tolerance for those seeking to use our citizenship program to evade justice.
– Jotham Napat
New Changes
Vanuatu government has come under international pressure for handing over passports to criminals and wanted persons for abusing the economic citizenship program. Since then The Vanuatu government has made important changes to the citizenship by investment program making it more secure and transparent…
- Government has appointed new Chairman, Charles Maniel, the Citizenship Commission to spearhead the citizenship program boosting its. credibility, vetting and governance with international investors
- The Government of Vanuatu has significantly strengthened the due diligence aspect of its Citizenship by Investment Program over the past years, resulting in a marked increase in applications failing the enhanced scrutiny undertaken by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit. The improved process implemented several years ago includes triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification. Probity checks will be completed by senior staff of FIU during the weekly meeting.
- All citizenship fees now paid direct to treasury with automated invoicing, removing gaps on abuse and fraud.
- Republic of Vanuatu passports will be issued in biometric aligning with international standards with enhanced security.
- Biometric capture machines will be installed in all diplomatic missions worldwide by March 2025 to make it easier for citizenship investors provide biometrics abroad without traveling to Vanuatu.
- Enhanced vetting – Three layer screening will be done by institutions FIU, Interpol and Immigration office on applicants, enhancing the verification process.
- Application Processing times will be increased providing more time for vetting, in order protect the integrity of CBI program by meeting highest international standards.
- Investment verification – All investment receipts made by applicants will be verified to prevent underselling, corruption and abuse by agents.
- Passport issuance has been decentralised according to province eliminating the need to visit Port Vila to collect passports. The new passport system reduces wait times.
The Citizenship Act is administered by the Citizenship Office, while the Passport Act is administered by the Depart of Immigration and Passport Services. The Citizenship Act allows for the issuance of a citizenship certificate to eligible individuals, granting them citizenship. However, it does not grant the authority to issue passports. The Passport Act, on the other hand, governs the issuance and administration of Vanuatu passports, certificates of identity, and other travel documents to those who have obtained citizenship through the citizenship program. Foreigners who obtained Vanuatuan passports through wilfully false or misleading statements will be revoked for, violating the Passport Act No. 20 of 2009.
