EU Gives Vanuatu 18 More Months to “Fix” CIP Before Enacting Full Suspension of Schengen Visa-Waiver
Vanuatu will actively involve the EU in the process of reforming its citizenship by investment programs to Brussels’ satisfaction.
Vanuatu is home to the Pacific region’s only formal citizenship by investment programs, of which it actually has three: The DSP, the VCP, and the REO.
The VCP is exclusive to applicants from greater China while the REO is still under development.
Program type | Direct citizenship program |
Time to citizenship | 3-6 months |
Time to citizenship | 1-3 months |
Time to permanent residency | 1-3 months |
Minimum investment | US$130,000 |
Physical presence requirement | None |
Application processing time | 1-3 months |
Grants visa-free travel to | 98 countries |
Contribution types available | Donation |
General program requirements
To qualify for citizenship, the applicant must donate a cash-sum to the government in the following amounts:
$130,000 for a single applicant.
$150,000 primary applicant and spouse.
$165,000 primary applicant, spouse and one child.
$180,000 primary applicant, spouse and two children.
$10,000 per additional family member who joins the application.
There is only a $5,000 due diligence cost on the primary applicant as well as $5,000 in legal fees payable for citizenship.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
After deciding on an official agent, the applicant will go through their internal background check. After this, the applicant will sign an agreement with the agent and pay an initial $5,000. This will start the due diligence process by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and collecting of documents for compiling the case file for application.
If the FIU approve their due diligence the case file is submitted and the investment is transferred. The applicant should receive their citizenship within 45 – 60 days.
The applicants will receive their approval for citizenship and obtain their new passport within 4-6 months. The Antiguan program requires successful applicants to visit the Island for at least 5 days within the first 5 years of being a citizen.
Applications for this program may be directed to:
Citizenship’s Office and Commission (COC) of Vanuatu
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Vanuatu Citizenship Act [Cap.112]
See more statistics on this program, as well as on dozens of other programs, in the IMI Data Center.
See the complete list of agents authorized by the government to submit applications for this program.
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Vanuatu will actively involve the EU in the process of reforming its citizenship by investment programs to Brussels’ satisfaction.
Ukraine, whiplashing post-pandemic demand, Portugal’s golden visa crisis, and a host of price changes made for a highly eventful year.
The EU Council is extending the visa-waiver suspension to non-CBI citizens of Vanuatu, citing a “lack of progress” in addressing concerns.
Grenada’s CIU seeks a new CEO, while the Chairman of Vanuatu’s Citizenship Commission has been given leave.
Q2 was the lowest-grossing quarter in four years for citizenship by investment in Vanuatu. And it’s likely to get considerably worse.
It now remains to be seen whether the remaining non-EU Schengen countries – Norway, Lichtenstein, and Iceland – will follow suit.
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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