Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment: Costs, Timelines and the End of EU Visa-Free Travel

Vanuatu collected about VT11.4 billion — roughly $95.5 million — from its citizenship program in the first half of 2026. That sum equalled about 39% of government revenue excluding donor funding and was larger than any other revenue line in the mid-year figures, including value-added tax.

The takings reached that level even though the country's citizenship scheme had already lost one of its main draws: the European Union permanently ended visa-free access for Vanuatu citizens after raising concerns about the investor citizenship schemes.

Key facts

• Citizenship revenue in the first half of 2026: about VT11.4 billion (roughly $95.5 million), around 39% of government revenue excluding donor funding.
• Two investment routes, with contributions starting at $130,000 for a single applicant.
• Total starting cost under the contribution route: about $140,000 for one person, about $196,000 for a family of four.
• Typical processing time: about 2 to 4 months.
• The EU has permanently ended visa-free access for Vanuatu citizens.

How does the program work?

Eligible applicants can qualify for Vanuatu citizenship by meeting the financial requirements of the country's investment program, without years of residency first. Applicants must meet the program's eligibility requirements and pass government Due Diligence before completing the investment.

The process involves several stages: preparing personal and financial documents, undergoing government Due Diligence, completing the required investment after the relevant approvals, and submitting biometric data. In a typical case the full process takes about 2 to 4 months.

How much does it cost?

There are two routes. Under the contribution option, a single applicant contributes at least $130,000 to a state fund; the required amount starts at $150,000 for a married couple and rises with additional family members. This contribution is non-refundable.

The second option is linked to the Cocoa Sustainable Development Fund: an investment of $165,000 covers a family of up to four people, and part of the contributed amount is redeemable after five years.

The headline figure is not the full bill. Applicants should also allow for a Due Diligence charge, document preparation costs, identity document fees and the cost of submitting biometric data. Under the contribution route, total expenses start at about $140,000 for a single applicant and about $196,000 for a family of four.

Who can be included?

The program can extend to eligible spouses, children and dependent parents. Current eligibility depends on the age, relationship and financial dependency of each family member, so not every relative automatically qualifies.

Why do applicants choose it?

Vanuatu's standard naturalization route generally requires at least 10 years of continuous residency; investment applicants avoid that wait and can typically obtain citizenship in 2 to 4 months. The route also offers a second legal nationality for people who do not qualify through ancestry.

Applications appear to have continued despite the loss of EU visa-free access, and revenue hit record levels in the first half of 2026. The source does not state what share of applicants travel on the resulting document or where.

What should applicants check?

Before applying, compare the full cost for your own family size, the age, dependency and relationship rules for including relatives, and how the two investment structures differ — including whether any capital can be recovered and how long it is committed.

The prices cited are stated as accurate at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.