How to Obtain Vanuatu Citizenship in 30 Days: Step-by-Step Guide

In 2025, Vanuatu remains one of the few countries where a passport can be obtained in record time. While obtaining European “golden visas” takes months, and in some cases years, in this island republic the procedure can be completed in just 30 days. This makes the program especially attractive for investors, entrepreneurs, and families who value time and want to quickly secure a second passport.

What Does The Vanuatu Citizenship Program Include?

The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program has been operating since 2017 and is known for its simplicity and transparency. Essentially, the applicant makes a non-refundable contribution to the country’s economy and receives a passport.

Unlike other countries, there are no complex schemes with purchasing real estate or investing in business here. There is only one condition: a fixed contribution to the state fund. This makes the process quick, straightforward, and accessible.

vanuatu citizenship

Steps To Obtain Citizenship In 30 days

To realistically fit within a month, it is necessary to understand that each stage of the process is strictly regulated, and any delay can extend the timeline. The Vanuatu citizenship in 30 days is designed so that the applicant can go through all the steps as quickly as possible if prepared in advance.

1. Initial Consultation.

At this stage, the agent evaluates the prospects of the case. The personal and financial history of the applicant is checked: whether there are any restrictions related to convictions, sanctions, or political activity. An experienced consultant will also indicate in advance which documents may raise questions with regulatory authorities and provide recommendations for their revision. Usually, this stage takes 1–2 days, and the quality of this step determines the speed of all subsequent steps.

2. Collection Of The Package Of Documents.

This is a key stage where delays most often occur. In addition to a passport and marriage and birth certificates, it is mandatory to provide police clearance certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for more than 12 months, as well as proof of income: bank statements, tax returns, contracts. It is important that all documents are translated into English and notarized. If the certificates are prepared in advance, this stage can be completed within a week, but without preparation, it may take up to a month.

3. Preliminary Check (Due Diligence).

After submitting the documents, the government authorities of Vanuatu conduct a verification of the applicant. Databases of Interpol, financial monitoring systems, and regional registries are used. The purpose of the verification is to ensure that the applicant is not connected to criminal or politically motivated cases. This usually takes 7–10 days. In rare cases, the process can extend up to two weeks if additional inquiries are required.

4. Investment Contribution.

After receiving approval, the applicant transfers the established amount to the government account. For one person, the minimum contribution is about 130,000 USD. For a family of four, the amount increases to approximately 180,000 USD. It is important to plan the transfer method in advance: banks sometimes conduct enhanced compliance on international transactions. If prepared in advance, the process will take only a few business days.

5. Final Statement And Oath.

After payment confirmation, the government approves the decision to grant citizenship. The applicant must take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Vanuatu. Previously, this required a personal visit, but now the procedure can be conducted remotely via video communication in the presence of a notary or an authorized representative. This is an important innovation that allows for cost reduction and process acceleration.

6. Obtaining A Passport.

After the oath, the passport issuance begins. The document is produced within 3–5 business days and sent to the applicant via courier service. Delivery usually takes another 3–7 days, depending on the client’s country of residence.

The entire process — from consultation to receiving the passport in hand — takes 30–35 days, provided proper preparation and working through a licensed agent.

Requirements For Applicants

Although the program is considered loyal, it still provides a number of conditions:

  • age over 18 years;
  • the absence of a criminal record (confirmed by official certificates);
  • confirmed sources of income;
  • Willingness to provide a complete set of documents.

Separate rules apply for families: a spouse and children up to 25 years old can be included in the application, and parents over 50 years old are added for an additional fee.

An important advantage is the absence of requirements for residency or language proficiency. Vanuatu is one of the few countries where a second passport can be obtained without relocating or passing exams.

Advantages Of Fast Citizenship

The main advantage of the program is speed — the opportunity to obtain a passport in just one month makes it unique in the market. In addition, it offers visa-free travel to more than 90 countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong, attractive tax benefits thanks to the absence of income tax on foreign earnings, and the possibility to transfer citizenship to children, ensuring long-term protection for the family. Another important benefit is flexibility, since there is no requirement to reside in or even visit the country after receiving the passport.

Recommendations For Successfully Completing The Process

To guarantee completion within 30 days, it is important to consider practical advice.

  • Prepare the documents in advance. Most often, the process is delayed due to certificates of no criminal record or errors in notarized translations.
  • Work only with a licensed agent. This reduces the risk of errors and ensures proper submission.
  • Be prepared for an income source verification. The more transparent your finances are, the faster the verification will be completed.
  • Use consultation. Personal Vanuatu citizenship consultation helps identify risks and accelerate the process.
  • Make the payment promptly. After approval, you will have limited time, so the funds need to be ready.

Common Mistakes Of Applicants

In practice, applicants often face problems that could easily be avoided, such as delays in obtaining certificates of no criminal record, providing unreliable income information, relying on unverified translations, working with unlicensed agents, or missing payment deadlines. By steering clear of these mistakes, the applicant can save both time and peace of mind.

Conclusion

Citizenship of Vanuatu in 30 days is a truly working scheme, which remains one of the fastest in the world. In 2025, the program retains all key advantages: speed, accessibility, and transparency.

For investors, this is a convenient tool for diversification and mobility; for families, it is a guarantee of long-term security. With proper preparation, a passport can be obtained in a short time without changing the usual way of life.