Vanuatu’s Development Support Program is the fastest Citizenship-by-Investment program, with most applicants receiving approval within 30–60 days.
Typical approval time
No language or cultural test
DSP and CIIP
DSP, single applicant (non-refundable)
Full cycle including documents and biometrics: 2–3 months
Count varies with Schengen status; confirm the current figure with us
In-person biometric enrolment is required
Vanuatu’s program covers 2 official investment-route categories: the Development Support Program (DSP) and the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP). DSP is the primary and most popular route — a single non-refundable donation to the government’s national development fund — and is the fastest Citizenship-by-Investment program.
Four points every applicant should understand up front. We disclose them clearly to every client.
Under Pakistan’s Citizenship Act 1951, Pakistan recognises dual nationality with only approximately 19–22 countries — Vanuatu is not currently on this list. A Pakistani citizen who naturalises in Vanuatu may, under a strict legal reading, be deemed to have ceased Pakistani citizenship. There is no publicised case of Pakistan enforcing this provision against Vanuatu CBI holders, but the legal risk remains. We recommend consulting a nationality-law specialist before proceeding.
Cited visa-free / visa-on-arrival country counts for the Vanuatu passport range widely across sources — from 83, to 93, to 95+, to 118, to 121 countries. This variance appears to stem from Vanuatu’s EU Schengen visa-free access having been suspended following 2023–2024 due-diligence concerns, with restoration reportedly ‘expected by early-to-mid 2026’ per some sources. Older figures (118–121) likely include Schengen, while more recent figures (83–95) likely exclude it pending restoration. We do not quote a specific country count without confirming the current, exact status directly via vancitizenship.gov.vu
Some current sources describe mandatory in-person biometric enrolment — submitted at immigration offices in Vanuatu, or at representative offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, or Noumea — for every family member on the application. This contradicts older marketing material that still describes the program as ‘fully remote’ with no need to visit. Please confirm the current, exact biometric-submission requirement with us or directly via vancitizenship.gov.vu before planning your travel.
Since 2023, Vanuatu has undertaken significant governance and due-diligence reforms specifically aimed at improving international credibility and EU relations. While these reforms are directly connected to the temporary Schengen suspension noted above, they also reflect a genuine, ongoing effort toward eventual restoration and long-term program stability.
Direct applications are not permitted. All filings must go through a licensed, government-authorised DSP/CIIP agent working with the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission (VCC).
Engage a licensed, government-authorised DSP/CIIP agent.
Pay the initial due-diligence fee (USD 5,000 DSP / USD 8,000 CIIP) to begin background checks.
Submit the full application and supporting documents.
Receive ‘Approval in Principle’, typically within 2–3 weeks.
Pay the full investment contribution (only required after pre-approval).
Take the oath of allegiance via video conference.
Passport and citizenship certificate issued, typically within 3–4 weeks of payment confirmation.
Excluded nationalities: Nationals of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and North Korea are not eligible to apply, subject to limited exceptions the Citizenship Commission may outline on a case-by-case basis. Pakistan is not on this exclusion list.
No interview or language test: No mandatory interview and no language/cultural-knowledge test are required — though biometric enrolment (see the note above) is now an important, evolving in-person requirement.
Both routes lead to Vanuatu citizenship. They differ in cost structure and in whether part of your contribution is redeemable.
| Development Support Program (DSP) | Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution | USD 130,000 single / 150,000 couple / 180,000 family of four | USD 165,000–170,500 fixed family-of-four rate |
| Type | Single non-refundable donation to the national development fund | Partially refundable: USD 50,000 invested in the Cocoa Sustainable Fund |
| Redeemable portion | None | USD 50,000 after 4–5 years |
| Due-diligence fee | USD 5,000–5,500 | USD 8,000 |
| Best suited for | Single applicants and couples | Families of 3–4 members |
| Processing | 30–60 days most cited (full cycle 2–3 months) | 30–60 days; may add modest additional time |
A Vanuatu passport obtained by investment currently provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a wide range of destinations, with cited figures ranging from 83 to 121+ countries depending on Schengen-access status. Confirmed, stable destinations across most sources include Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and most Commonwealth nations.
A Vanuatu passport, combined with a Pakistani passport, increases overall global mobility, given that Pakistan’s own passport ranks among the world’s most restrictive. We advise honestly on the visa-free-count uncertainty rather than promising a specific figure.
Unlike several Caribbean CBI passports, Vanuatu’s EU Schengen access has been affected by the 2023–2024 due-diligence concerns. Please confirm the current, exact Schengen status with us or directly via vancitizenship.gov.vu if European travel is a priority.
Once payment is confirmed, your passport and citizenship certificate are typically issued within 3–4 weeks.
Your spouse, dependent children and eligible dependent parents can be included in your application.
USD 150,000
USD 180,000
+USD 10,000–15,000
Get personalised advice from our expert team. We guide you from route selection to passport.
