Nationality of Vanuatu: all obtaining pathways
Vanuatu keeps one of the world's fastest citizenship-by-investment programs — from 130,000 USD contributed to the State fund, settled in one or two months — although without visa-free access to the EU since the 2023 suspension. Ordinary naturalization requires ten continuous years of residence.
1Naturalization by residence (Form A)
Naturalization by residence (Form A)
Requirements
- Have lived in Vanuatu for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately prior to the application
- Eligibility determined by the Citizenship Office and Commission before issuing the form
- Good conduct and requirements of the Citizenship Act [Cap 112]
- Decision of the Citizenship Commission
Documentation
- Form A
- Valid passport and residence visa
- Criminal record certificate
- Residence certificate issued by the Immigration Department
- Bislama exam result
- Passport photos
- Application fee (5,000 Vatu)
2Citizenship by marriage (Form B)
Citizenship by marriage (Form B)
Requirements
- Legally valid marriage to a Vanuatu citizen
- Have lived in Vanuatu for at least 2 years before applying
- Both requirements cumulative (marriage + residence)
- Decision of the Citizenship Commission
Documentation
- Form B
- Marriage certificate
- Spouse's birth certificate and/or Vanuatu passport
- Criminal record certificate
- Bislama exam result
- Application fee (5,000 Vatu)
3Citizenship by entitlement/descent (Form C(a))
Citizenship by entitlement/descent (Form C(a))
Requirements
- At least one of the parents or grandparents is either of ni-Vanuatu descent or a citizen by naturalization
- If through the parent's naturalization, the applicant must have been born after the parent obtained citizenship
Documentation
- Form C(a)
- Applicant's birth certificate
- Proof of ni-Vanuatu descent or of the parent's/grandparent's citizenship
- Application fee (5,000 Vatu)
4Citizenship by investment - CIIP (Form D)
Citizenship by investment - CIIP (Form D)
Requirements
- Capital investment under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (Section 13C of the Citizenship Act Cap 112)
- Application fee: 250 USD
- Citizenship fee: 260,000 USD (covers applicant, spouse and 1 child under 18)
- An additional child under 18: 19,250 USD each
- A dependent aged 18 to 21: 44,250 USD each
- Background check by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU): 5,000 USD
- Being of good character
- Process it through a designated agent (VRS - Vanuatu Registry Services)
Documentation
- Form D
- Valid passport
- Criminal record certificate and international background check
- Proof of investment
- Medical certificate
- Application and citizenship fees
5Honorary citizenship - the Development Support Programme (DSP/VCP)
Honorary citizenship - the Development Support Programme (DSP/VCP)
Requirements
- A non-refundable financial contribution to the government of Vanuatu
- Individual applicant: 130,000 USD
- Married couple: 150,000 USD
- Married couple + 1 child: 165,000 USD
- Married couple + 2 children: 180,000 USD
- An additional applicant: 10,000 USD
- FIU check: 5,000 USD
- Approval by the Prime Minister and the President of Vanuatu
- Being of good character
- Process it through an authorised designated agent
Documentation
- Honorary-citizenship application form
- Valid passport
- Criminal record certificate and FIU check
- Proof of the financial contribution
- Medical certificate
6Citizenship by property investment - REO (Real Estate Option Program)
Citizenship by property investment - REO (Real Estate Option Program)
Requirements
- Buying property in a project approved by the government of Vanuatu (a VGA Project)
- Approved projects: Pacific Springs (Efate), Narpow Point Coral Bay (Efate), FPF Rainbow City Project (Efate), Milai (Espiritu Santo)
- Payment of the prescribed fees
- Process it through Naika Holdings Limited (the REO program's sole worldwide agent)
- FIU background check
Documentation
- REO form
- Valid passport
- Proof of purchase of property in a VGA project
- Criminal record certificate
- Medical certificate
- Application and citizenship fees
7Recovery of citizenship (Form C(b))
Recovery of citizenship (Form C(b))
Requirements
- Having previously renounced Vanuatu citizenship
- Applying for recovery of citizenship under Section 18 of the Citizenship Act Cap 112
Documentation
- Form C(b)
- Proof of previous Vanuatu citizenship
- Proof of the earlier renunciation
- Application fee (5,000 Vatu)
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Vanuatu
How many years of residence does Vanuatu require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Vanuatu (Naturalization by residence (Form A)), the term is 10 years of continuous residence in Vanuatu immediately before applying (Form A). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Vanuatu be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Citizenship by marriage pathway (Legally married + ≥2 years of residence in Vanuatu before applying (Form B)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Vanuatu require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Form A; Valid passport and residence visa; Criminal record certificate; Residence certificate issued by the Immigration Department; Bislama exam result; among 2 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Vanuatu?
Vanuatu provides 7 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Citizenship by marriage, Citizenship by entitlement/descent, Citizenship by investment - CIIP, Honorary citizenship - the Development Support Programme, Citizenship by property investment - REO, Recovery of citizenship.
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