Vanuatu offers a fast-track citizenship by investment program for families with significant assets. Applicants must contribute to the government’s national development fund and pay due diligence fees of $5,000 per family.
A key benefit is visa-free access to more than 130 countries. Additionally, residents are exempt from taxes on income or wealth, and can open international companies with a flat fee of $300 per year.
1. No Taxes on Income or Wealth
Tucked in the same corner of the world as Australia and New Zealand, Vanuatu feels like an undiscovered tropical paradise. The island nation’s pristine beaches and azure waters are the perfect place to relax, while its citizenship-by-investment program offers an attractive tax regime.
Under the DSP, applicants invest in Vanuatu’s economy through a contribution to its National Development Fund. The minimum investment required is $130,000 for a single applicant and $180,000 for a family of four or more. For a comprehensive look at the benefits and details of the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program, explore vanuatu citizenship on franknez.com for an informative article.
The DSP offers an efficient application process, and citizenship can be obtained in as little as two months. The program also has a favourable tax regime, with no taxes on income or wealth, capital gains, inheritance, and exports. This makes it a popular choice for high-net-worth individuals looking to minimize their tax liabilities. It also allows citizens to open international companies without facing hefty business taxes.
2. No Residency Requirements
Vanuatu’s biodiverse, tropical islands attract retirees, investors and high-net-worth expats looking for a fast-track second citizenship option. The country’s citizen-by-investment programme requires a minimum contribution of $130,000 for a family of four (main applicant and three children under 18 years), plus government fees, processing costs and due diligence charges.
The process takes 6 months to complete and requires no physical residency, renunciation of existing citizenship(s) or notification to home authorities. Our team guides the application through every step, ensuring applicants’ success with a comprehensive due diligence process.
The passport grants visa-free access to 145 countries and territories, including the European Union. It also opens international business opportunities with no taxes on profits, capital gains, dividends, inheritance, gift or wealth. This is a huge advantage for wealthy families who want to escape harsh taxation in their home countries.
3. No Renunciation Requirements
Vanuatu does not require applicants to renounce their existing citizenship or visas. This makes it a particularly appealing choice for those who want to gain passports with untethered access to Europe.
The program also offers a flexible timeframe for document collection and government processing fees, which are typically less than USD 1000. It is important to work with a reputable agent or advisory firm to avoid the risks of delays and errors in the process.
The Vanuatu economic citizenship program is not open to citizens of Syria, Iran, Iraq, or Yemen unless they can prove that they have been resident outside those countries for five years. In addition, it is not open to individuals who are under sanctions from the US or UK. The exception is Syrian construction and real estate magnate Abdul Rahman Khiti, who bought his passport just a few weeks before the US placed sanctions on his businesses.
4. No Immigration Requirements
Vanuatu has a simple and efficient Citizenship by Investment program with one investment pathway. This program is one of the fastest in the world with processing times under a month. The minimum investment is $130,000 for a single applicant and $180,000 for a family of four (main applicant, spouse, and children under 18 years).
Investors contribute to the National Development Fund and receive citizenship without the usual income, wealth, and inheritance taxes. In addition, the citizenship is permanent and can be passed on to future generations.
Applicants need to meet basic requirements, including having good health and being of good character with no criminal record. They must also undergo a thorough due diligence process by the government. The program also recognizes dual citizenship and does not require renunciation of previous nationality. This makes it an attractive choice for families seeking to live abroad.
5. No Visa Requirements
A Vanuatu citizenship by investment program allows investors and their families to purchase passports for $130,000 in a process that typically takes just over a month, without ever setting foot in the country. It offers visa-free access to 103 countries, including the UK and Australia. The US, which does require a visa, grants Vanuatu citizens the B-1/B-2 tourist visa for five years, which gives them the freedom to visit family, conduct business meetings and obtain medical treatment.
As the fastest alternative citizenship by investment program in the world, Vanuatu’s CBI program is a popular choice among wealthy individuals seeking to diversify their assets and expand their travel horizons. For example, Syrian construction and real estate magnate Abdul Rahman Khiti purchased a Vanuatu passport just weeks after the US imposed sanctions against his businesses. He has since moved his family to the country.
6. No Family Requirements
The Vanuatu investment program is a family-friendly citizenship by investment (CBI) program, meaning that spouses, children and even parents can be included in the successful application. In addition, citizenship is heritable, meaning that future generations will be able to enjoy the same benefits of the program.
The 83-island nation of Vanuatu is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich culture. The island country also boasts a robust tourism industry and an emerging offshore financial services sector.
Vanuatu’s unique location in the South Pacific, coupled with its no taxes on income or wealth, makes it a very attractive option for investors looking to gain second citizenship. The streamlined process can be completed remotely, with minimal investor requirements and no residency requirements. Additionally, the country offers visa-free access to 132 countries and territories. Interested in learning more?
7. No Due Diligence Requirements
Getting a Vanuatu passport is an exciting choice for families seeking to diversify their assets and live in a paradise. It can also be a strategic investment for business owners who want to avoid hefty taxes in their home countries.
Vanuatu does not charge any personal income tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax or inheritance tax, making it a great place to run an international business. In addition, it offers zero corporate tax and a locally applied 12.5% VAT.
To apply, the applicant needs to submit basic documentation along with a due diligence fee to the Vanuatu citizenship commission. The commission meets biweekly and reviews each application. Once approved, the applicant must make a non-refundable donation to the development fund and take an oath. After this, the passport will be issued. This process typically takes about two months.
8. No Age Requirements
As one of the newest citizenship-by-investment programs in the world, Vanuatu’s Development Support Program offers a streamlined application process with no age requirements. Investors and their family members can acquire passports within a month, enabling them to travel anywhere in the world without any restrictions.
During the first stage, applicants gather all the necessary documents and submit them along with a fee to the designated agent. The agents analyze and confirm that all the required documents have been filed correctly.
Afterward, the government performs its due diligence checks and issues an approval in principle. The investor then makes a non-refundable donation to the development fund and takes the Oath of Citizenship. Applicants are permitted to include their spouse, dependent children under the age of 25, and dependant parents in the investment. However, the program is not open to residents of Iran, Syria, Libya, Iraq, and North Korea.
9. No Physical Presence Requirements
Vanuatu offers one of the world’s fastest and cheapest economic citizenship programs with visa-free access to 130 countries. This passport scheme has been marketed as a second passport for wealthy families who want to escape a country where they are under pressure or subject to corruption, with no need to ever visit the country.
To qualify, applicants make a non-refundable donation to the government’s development support program and pay additional administrative fees. The investment is designed to support the economy, infrastructure, and social development in Vanuatu.
The process also includes a thorough due diligence and an oath of allegiance. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, this has been modified in 2021 to exclude persons from Iran, Syria, North Korea, Iraq and Yemen. All applicants are required to be represented by an agent who is certified by the government.
10. No Time Limit
The Vanuatu CIP offers a second passport without any residency requirements, and there is no time limit on holding the citizenship. This is a key factor for families with multiple children and businesses that require frequent travel.
In addition, the CIP provides tax optimization for international companies. For 20 years after opening, the company is exempt from income and capital gains taxes, with only a $300 annual fee required.
To get started with the program, applicants must submit their initial documents and pay a non-refundable deposit of $5,000 for due diligence. Then, they will complete the application and submit it to the government. Once everything is processed, the committee will decide if the applicant meets all requirements. If they do, the new citizen will take an oath and receive their passport. The entire process usually takes 30-60 days.