Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
Vanuatu Development Support Program
Vanuatu offers truly unique opportunities for those who want to get a second passport in the shortest possible time, without paperwork and multimillion-dollar investments. Getting the right to visa–free travelling across the UK and the Schengen area, a loyal tax system for conducting international business, providing a "spare airfield" for the whole family in a country with a stable economy, a developed banking sector and a warm climate are great reasons for choosing investment citizenship in Vanuatu.
Program's details
- From $130,000 of minimum investment
- Visa-free travelling to 130 countries Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, the UK
- Passports for the whole family including the spouse and children
- No need to live in Vanuatu or visit to get the passport
- The second passport without giving up the first one
- From 30 days the fastest way to a second passport
- Simple procedure a short list of documents
- Privacy applicants' details are not disclosed
The official website of the program
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About the Program
The first passport offers appeared in Vanuatu at the end of the XX century. The current version of the program was launched in 2017. Since then, more than 5,000 passports have been issued, and the total amount of revenue collected is $230 million. The program is implemented on the basis of Chapter 112 of the law "On citizenship".
Applicants are attracted to business prospects: zero taxes on capital gains, inheritance, gifts, and income earned outside the country. In Vanuatu, there is no tax on income, wealth, inheritance, capital gains, capital withdrawals, and exchange-based profits. Corporate and income taxes for businessmen who want to buy a ready-made company on the island are 0%.
The main tax in Vanuatu is VAT (12.5%). It is paid by companies that actually operate on the islands. International business organizations (IBCS) registered in Vanuatu are exempt from paying taxes for 20 years. They only pay an annual stamp duty of $300.
Comfortable conditions for starting a business: if you want, you can even open your own bank on the islands. However, it is not necessary to become a tax resident. And even if Vanuatu is not the most famous country in the world, with a local passport you can also open an account in a respectable foreign bank.
The Vanuatu passport opens the borders of 130 countries, including the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Russia. Currently, the islands authorities are negotiating visa-free entry to Australia and New Zealand, but in the meantime, visas to these countries can be obtained in a simplified manner.
You do not need to give up other passports. Children, grandchildren and subsequent generations of the investor's family are entitled to Vanuatu citizenship by inheritance.
Although the program offers only one option of non–returnable investments in the Vanuatu Economic Development Fund, the mininun amount is only $130,000, and the speed of passport registration is from one month. An interesting option is to pay the fee with bitcoins. The passport is saved for life, inherited, and you can apply for citizenship for a new family member without any problems.
Investment Options
- $130 000+
- Donation to the National Development Fund of Vanuatu
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The funds will be used to stimulate the state's economy.
Additional fee for registration of citizenship (citizenship fee):
- a spouse – $20,000;
- each subsequent applicant – $15,000.
It is better to pay the citizenship fee through an independent escrow agent. This scheme guarantees 100% refund. Funds will be debited from the account only in case of obtaining citizenship. There is also an option to pay for citizenship with bitcoins.
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For Family Members
The authorities of Vanuatu allow investors include family members in the application.
A spouse
Must be in officially documented marriage.
Children
Financially dependent, studying, non-married. Under 25 years of age.
Children with desabilities have no restrictions.Parents
Over 50 years of age. Financially dependent.
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Requirements for Investors
You do not need to know the language or history of the state to participate in the program. The most important thing is reliability, availability of funds on the account and the legal source of their origin.
Requirements for the main applicant
- Older than 18 and younger than 65
- Without previous convictions
- Security check pass
- From $250,000 on the bank account (these funds do not need to be invested, it is enough to prove their existence)
- Good health condition (not sick with HIV and other dangerous diseases for society)
- Does not appear in the list of sanctions, has no restrictions or bans on entry to the EU, the USA, the UK
If the applicant is involved in serious international crimes, does not meet the program criteria, or provides false information, they cannot obtain a passport.
Requirements for family members
- Without previous convictions
- Security check pass (for everyone older than 18)
- Good health condition (not sick with HIV and other dangerous diseases for society)
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Documents
Due diligence stage
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Biographies of the marriage partners
- Certified copy of the applicant's passport
The main stage
- Application form D
- Birth certificates, marriage registration/divorce, change of last name
- A medical certificate (for those over 18 years of age)
- Driving license
- Civil and foreign passports
- Proof of financial dependence of dependents (certificates from universities about tuition fees, medical bills, etc.)
- 6 photos of each family member (size 4×5)
- Document confirming the transfer of the funds to the account of the government of Vanuatu (first payment – 25%, after approval of the application – 75%)
All personal documents and certificates must be certified, apostilled and translated into English.
Expenses
- Security check
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$5,000 (regardless of how many family members participate in the program). Applies to all applicants over the age of 18.
- State fees
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Application fee – $250
Fee for the certificate of naturalization – $10,000 (per each)
- Lawyer's fee
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The agent's fee for support is $20,000-40,000.
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Rights and Obligations
Foreigners with investment citizenship have the same rights as any other resident of Vanuatu.
- The right to live, work and open a business in Vanuatu.
- The right to travel visa-free to 129 countries.
- The right to own citizenship of other countries.
- The right to transfer citizenship by inheritance.
- The right to issue a local driver's license without passing a test, just show a valid ID. However, this requires a visit to the islands.
- The obligation to take an oath when receiving a passport (this can be done remotely).
- The obligation to pay taxes regularly if you spend more than 183 days a year on the islands. There are no requirements for mandatory changing of tax residence.
The procedure of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship
