Permanent Resident Visa

This visa is divided into two parts:

Part A, subclass 131

Subclass 131, this visa can be granted to anyone if his/her parents are of Vanuatu origin or anyone who has resided in Vanuatu within the last 12 months and must apply to the office of the Director of Immigration Vanuatu.

Part B, subclass 132-135

The visa is intended for a serious investor who intends to invest in Vanuatu. The benefits are greater compared to the regular Vanuatu resident visa as the requirements are stricter and any interested applicant should contact the office of the Director of Immigration Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is the only program operating in the Asia-Pacific region. This program requires a financial contribution of at least $130,000 to the national development fund.

Benefits of Vanuatu citizenship

• With visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to over 100 countries in Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and the Caribbean.
• The ability to apply for an online visa or a long-term visa to Australia
• Ability to include parents, spouse and dependent children up to 25 years of age
• There are no language requirements for residency or citizenship
• A tax haven with extensive tax benefits:

1.There is no personal income tax or corporate tax.

2.There is no withholding tax and no capital gains tax.

3.No estate, wealth or gift tax.

Initial payment

The applicant must make a non-refundable initial payment of $6,000 for verification by the Government Financial Intelligence Unit in order to obtain approval. After obtaining the permit, the applicant can make and submit a complete application for citizenship.

Contribution

The applicant must make a one-time non-refundable donation to the Government of Vanuatu as follows:

• $130,000 per applicant
• $150,000 for a married couple
• $165,000 for a married couple with 1 child
• $180,000 for a married couple with 2 children
• $25,000 for each additional dependent

A new option for the investment citizenship program 

According to a government bulletin published March 27, 2023, applicants for Vanuatu citizenship will also be able to invest in interest-free bonds denominated in Australian dollars. The minimum entry threshold for the new option is AUD 150,000 (USD 99,770).

Details

Maturity varies with the amount invested:

○ 3 years for AUD 150,000 in bond purchases,

○ 2.5 years - AUD 170,000,

○ 2 years - AUD 180,000.   

Additional innovations.

The government will also appoint a single general agent for the new option, the Investment-Government Bond Option (IGBO).

The agent, not the government, will accept applications from bond investors, so there will be an additional processing fee of USD 5,000 plus fees depending on the number of applicants in the package:

○ principal applicant - USD 13,366;

○ couple - USD 20,049.

Each additional dependent is AUD 7,500 (USD 5,012).  

Vanuatu has also prohibited permanent residents of countries that are under Western restrictive measures and UN sanctions from applying for the investment citizenship program.

Approval

Once the contribution is made and the application is submitted, the Citizenship Commission will issue final approval. The applicant can then attend a swearing-in ceremony as a citizen of Vanuatu. The swearing-in ceremony can take place abroad.

Requirements for applying for Vanuatu citizenship

• Applicants must make payment to the Government of Vanuatu
• Be older than 18 years
• Have no criminal record
• Submit all necessary documents in English
• Provide a medical certificate confirming the state of health

Process

1. Verification in 14 days with passport, police and medical certificates, resume and initial payments

2. Payment of the donation and other contributions

3. Full application submission

4. The permit is granted for 1-2 months

5. Pledge of Allegiance in Vanuatu or abroad by the main applicant for a passport.

Vanuatu citizenship can be obtained in the following ways:

• By birth: A child born in Vanuatu to two foreign nationals residing in Vanuatu can apply for Vanuatu citizenship after turning 18.
• By origin: a child whose parents are citizens of Vanuatu, regardless of the child's country of birth. A child from a Vanuatu father and a foreign mother, regardless of the child's country of birth. A child of a Vanuatu mother and a foreign father acquires the father's nationality.

However, a child can apply for Vanuatu citizenship after turning 18.

• Marriage: A foreigner who marries a Vanuatu citizen can automatically apply for citizenship. A foreigner who marries a Vanuatu citizen can apply for citizenship after 10 years of residence.
• By naturalization: Citizenship of Vanuatu can be obtained by fulfilling the condition that a person has legally resided in the country for at least 10 years.

Dual citizenship is not recognized.

Exception: A Vanuatu child born abroad who acquires the citizenship of the country of birth may retain dual citizenship until the child reaches the age of 18. The person must then renounce their foreign citizenship or their Vanuatu citizenship will be revoked.

Voluntary renunciation of Vanuatu citizenship is permitted by law. The waiver must be made in Vanuatu.