How to get Vanuatu citizenship in 2025

Citizenship in Vanuatu is available to individuals born to or adopted by Vanuatu citizens, spouses of citizens, naturalized applicants, and individuals who have contributed to the development of the country’s economy. Migrants seeking naturalization must meet residency and other statutory requirements. Foreigners who invest in the country can acquire citizenship without meeting complex requirements, and the processing time is only 45-60 days. The state’s migration policy is distinguished by its commitment to providing applicants with the opportunity to purchase a Vanuatu passport through investment. The procedure for granting citizenship is regulated by the Citizenship Law (Chapter 112).

The advantages of obtaining a Vanuatu passport are ideal for those who want to live in paradise year-round. The island nation is located in the South Pacific Ocean and primarily develops its economy through agriculture and tourism. Its citizens enjoy visa-free travel to many countries, particularly popular destinations for vacations.

Benefits of a Vanuatu citizenship

A Vanuatu passport offers its holder the following benefits:

• Visa-free travel to 99 countries around the world, including Ireland and Hong Kong;
• Business registration in an offshore jurisdiction;
• Asset optimization and protection;
• The opportunity to hold public office and participate in political elections;
• Permanent residence in a resort island country;
• Simplified procedure for obtaining a five-year U.S. visa.

You can learn more about the individual requirements for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship during a free consultation with a specialist.

Requirements for becoming a Vanuatu citizen

Those who obtain Vanuatu citizenship through the investment program are exempt from any requirements. Applicants only need to go through the process of acquiring citizenship according to legal regulations, which can be done remotely. Foreigners who intend to become Vanuatu citizens by naturalization must meet the following conditions:

• Be of legal age and capacity;
• Reside in the country for 10 years prior to the application date;
• Plan to remain in the country;
• Have no criminal record for offenses punishable by 12 months or more of imprisonment in Vanuatu or other countries;
• Be able to speak Bislama, another local language of Vanuatu, or English or French (unless physically or mentally impaired);
• Respect cultural traditions and lifestyles;
• Be free from any debts owed to the government;
• Know the rights, duties, and privileges of citizenship;
• Renounce your current citizenship;
• Take an oath in favor of the Republic of Vanuatu;
• Pass the status examination;
• Have no history of deportation from Vanuatu or involvement with terrorist organizations or funding political instability in Vanuatu.

Legal ways to obtain a Vanuatu citizenship

As of 2025, one can become a Vanuatu citizen by birth, adoption, naturalization, marriage, or investment in the country’s development.

Naturalization is the most accessible way for foreigners to obtain citizenship, but it requires legal residence in the country for 10 years. The easiest and fastest way to acquire citizenship is through the investment program, the only one of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

Birth and adoption

Children born to Vanuatu citizens automatically acquire the same status. Children adopted by Vanuatu passport holders become citizens on the date the court makes its decision. A child adopted jointly by two citizens or solely by a man automatically becomes a citizen.

Marriage

Non-citizens who are legally married to Vanuatu citizens can apply for passports on an expedited basis. The spouse of a Vanuatu citizen can register for a passport without meeting the naturalization conditions for migrants after living in Vanuatu for two years.

Naturalization

People who live in a country for a long time, know its laws and traditions, speak the language, and meet the legal requirements can apply for citizenship through the naturalization process. For foreigners, the process begins with the issuance of a resident visa based on one of the following grounds: work, family reunification, investment, rental real estate, or financial independence. During the naturalization process, a person does not need to obtain a permanent residence visa — in Vanuatu, this status is not considered the next step after the temporary visa, but rather, it is issued to certain categories of applicants. Otherwise, a person may reside in the country with a resident visa for 10 years before becoming a citizen. Depending on the basis, the document is issued for a different period of time, but not longer than 10 years. It is extended according to the same algorithm that applies to the initial issuance.

In the case of a man’s naturalization, his spouse and children can be included in the application and will receive the status alongside the main applicant.

Investment

Under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan, foreigners who have contributed to the country’s economy can obtain citizenship without meeting residency, language, or other naturalization requirements. Investors can expect a 5% annual return on investment (USD 50,000 for five years) and can include family members — children under 28 years of age and a spouse — in the application. Applications are processed within 1.2-2 months. The required principal investment is USD 130,000, with an additional cost of USD 10,000. An extra USD 30,000 and USD 2,000 must be paid for each family member included in the application, respectively. Parents over 50 years of age who depend on the investor can be included in the application. Citizenship and a passport can be obtained without visiting Vanuatu in person; supporting documents are delivered to the applicant by mail. To determine the citizenship eligibility of family members, review the program terms in detail.

Passports can also be obtained through the Vanuatu Contribution or Real Estate Option Programs. The set fees apply to the applicant, their spouse, and two children. There may be additional fees if the applicant wishes to include more children or adult dependents in the application. The application process takes three months.

Honorary citizenship

A person may be granted special status by presidential decree if they:

• Contribute to the development of Vanuatu;
• Serve as a representative of the government abroad.

To apply for a passport on these grounds, an applicant must be respected within their community, organization, and country, and must have no criminal record.

How to become a Vanuatu citizen?

Applicants who intend to obtain a Vanuatu passport should initially apply for a resident visa, either temporary or permanent, depending on the legal grounds. Once the residency requirements and other applicable criteria have been met, the applicant can initiate the passport application process.

Some countries have programs that allow for expedited passport issuance. It is possible to obtain citizenship without going through the residence permit and permanent residence permit stages.

Residence permit registration

An application for a residence visa, which serves as a residence permit, is submitted to the Vanuatu Immigration Service or a diplomatic mission. A residence permit allows a foreigner to stay in the state for 12 months or more and is issued based on one of the legal grounds, provided that supporting documents are submitted. For example, an employee needs a work permit and a VFIPA certificate, as well as a business license and a VFSC commission report on the employer. Depending on the basis, the residence permit is granted for a different period of time and can be extended as long as the grounds for issuance are met, up to the point when the right to citizenship applies.

Testing

To apply for citizenship through naturalization, a person must demonstrate proficiency in one of the state languages and knowledge of the basics of legislation, culture, and the local way of life, indicating a sufficient level of integration into society. To this end, the applicant must pass the Bislama test. The Office of Citizenship Affairs is responsible for organizing the procedure, as well as notifying the applicant. During the test, the applicant must have a conversation with an authorized person in English or another language from the list at a basic level. The applicant must also answer questions about current laws, the rights and obligations of citizens, and the nation’s traditions and cultural values.

Collecting and preparing documents

The citizenship by naturalization dossier includes:

• Two photographs of the applicant, spouse, and children, if applicable;
• The applicant’s birth certificate, issued by the public authorities of the country of origin;
• Passport (for spouse and children, if applicable);
• Letters of support from the Island/Provincial/Municipal Chief’s Council and the Honorable President of the Provincial Organization;
• Passports and birth certificates for the spouse and children;
• Vanuatu resident visa;
• A valid VIPA certificate;
• A certification letter from the Director of Immigration;
• A police certificate from the country of origin and Vanuatu (for the spouse, if applicable);
• Marriage/divorce certificate;
• A completed application form;
• A short autobiography;
• A medical certificate.

All documents must be submitted as copies, with payment receipts attached.

Citizenship, residence permit and business relocation anywhere in the world:

• Live and travel the world freely;
• Grow your business internationally;
• Give your children the opportunity to study at the world’s best universities.

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Application for Vanuatu citizenship

To register for citizenship, you must apply to the Citizenship Department. You can obtain application forms by visiting the department in person or downloading them from the official website. Citizenship requests are submitted by competent adults, whose fingerprints are taken during the procedure. The law does not set a deadline for processing applications, nor does it allow applicants to check the status of their case. However, the commission responsible for reviewing applications meets monthly and may schedule additional meetings to efficiently process requests. Once approved, the applicant has three months to pay the fee and take the oath of allegiance. Afterwards, a citizenship certificate is issued.

When obtaining a Vanuatu passport through the investment program, applicants can start the process immediately by preparing citizenship documents and submitting their applications. Afterwards, they will be able to take the oath of allegiance and receive official confirmation of their status in a short amount of time.

Costs and processing times of Vanuatu citizenship registration

The resident visa is granted to the applicant within 5 working days of the application date, and the document can be renewed within the same period. Considering the processing time for requests, the total time it takes to obtain Vanuatu citizenship by naturalization is just over 10 years. Meanwhile, participants in the investment program can complete the process in 2 months.

The cost of obtaining citizenship depends on the applicant’s chosen method. Processing an application for naturalization and marriage costs approximately USD 42, and a certificate costs USD 422. Processing the request for investors costs an additional USD 250, plus a USD 10,000 certificate fee. Additional fees are charged for family members included in the application.

Vanuatu government fees for civil statuses are high.

How to obtain a Vanuatu passport once citizenship status is granted?

Vanuatu issues its citizens an internal passport and a passport for international travel. The national ID card is issued by the civil and vital records authorities. Until 2022, the authority only issued printed standard documents; however, now the country is issuing biometric ID cards.

The passport resembles a book with a green cover and is used for traveling abroad. Applicants can obtain the document by applying to the Department of Immigration and Passport Services in Vanuatu. Applicants need to prepare two recent passport-size photos, a birth certificate, a marriage certificate (if applicable), a certificate of citizenship, a confirmation letter from the Citizenship Office, and a copy of a police certificate of no criminal record. Applicants must also confirm the purpose of their travel, providing documentation such as a business travel certificate or a medical certificate for travel related to medical treatment. A regular adult passport costs USD 85 and takes 21 days to process. Expedited processing costs USD 170 for 10 days and USD 213 for 3 days.

Dual citizenship in Vanuatu: Is it possible to obtain a second passport?

Although the country’s legislation does not support dual citizenship, there are some exceptions that allow Vanuatu citizens to hold two passports. Applicants who invest under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan, Contributions Program, Development Support Program, or Real Estate Option can keep both passports. In this case, they are acquiring a second citizenship because they can keep their original passport, but they will only be recognized as citizens of their original country. Dual citizenship, in which the rights and obligations of individuals are mutually recognized by states, is possible only if there is an agreement between countries, a rare practice worldwide.

Vanuatu authorities do not notify the applicant’s country of their new status. However, if an applicant obtains a passport through any means other than the investment program, they will need to renounce their current citizenship to complete the process. 

Rejection and revocation of Vanuatu citizenship

A citizenship request could be rejected for reasons such as:

• Submission of an incomplete dossier or inaccurate information about the applicant’s identity;
• The applicant does not meet the requirements;
• Violation of Vanuatu’s migration policy or entry bans;
• Criminal history or involvement in terrorist activities;
• The foreigner poses a threat to Vanuatu’s national security.

Revocation of status is possible if a person:

• Obtains citizenship and takes an oath of allegiance to another state;
• Joins the armed forces of a foreign country without the Prime Minister’s approval;
• Votes or holds elective office abroad;
• Acquires a passport fraudulently.

These conditions do not apply to individuals who have acquired Vanuatu citizenship as a second citizenship according to the law. At the same time, naturalized individuals who cross the Vanuatu border on a passport from another country are immediately stripped of their Vanuatu status.

To avoid rejection and ensure compliance with citizenship requirements, one must carefully study and follow the relevant legislation. During the naturalization process, renew residence documents in a timely manner because illegal residence can result in deportation and prevent the future acquisition of citizenship.

Assistance in obtaining Vanuatu citizenship status

With professional support, obtaining the desired status abroad can be easier and faster. Specialists in international law will inform you of the pros and cons of available immigration programs and recommend the best solutions for your case.

Lawyers independently prepare documents according to the requirements and monitor legislative changes to ensure the procedure aligns with current norms. Regardless of your immigration plans, professional assistance will contribute to a positive outcome.