Vanuatu offers contribution-based citizenship through its Development Support Programme.
The qualifying payment is made as a non-refundable contribution rather than an investment in a recoverable asset.
Development Support Programme contribution
Commonly published contribution levels are:
- USD 130,000 for a single applicant
- USD 150,000 for a married couple
- USD 165,000 for a family of three
- USD 180,000 for a family of four
- Approximately USD 15,000 for each additional qualifying dependant
Financial Intelligence Unit checks, passport, application and professional fees may apply separately.
Eligible family members
Subject to current requirements, an application may include:
- Spouse
- Dependent children
- Financially dependent adult children within the permitted age range
- Dependent parents
- Other relatives where specifically permitted
Main requirements
The principal applicant must generally:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Meet the programme’s financial and asset requirements
- Demonstrate a lawful source of funds
- Pass Financial Intelligence Unit and government checks
- Have no disqualifying criminal history
- Submit complete personal and family documents
- Make the contribution through an authorised programme representative
Residence requirement
Vanuatu has generally not required physical residence before or after citizenship is granted under the contribution programme.
Important travel consideration
The European Union ended Vanuatu’s visa-exemption arrangement because of concerns relating to its citizenship programme. Applicants should therefore avoid relying on outdated advertisements claiming visa-free Schengen access.
Travel access should be verified immediately before an application decision.
Important considerations
- The contribution is non-refundable.
- Applications should be handled only through officially authorised channels.
- Current passport access must be independently checked.
- Government and due-diligence approval remain mandatory.