Vanuatu (DSP)

The Development Support Program (DSP) is a Vanuatu government program that allows foreign investors to obtain Vanuatu citizenship by making a contribution to the country’s development fund. The DSP is a relatively new program, having been launched in 2017, but it has quickly become one of the most popular second passport programs in the world.

Yes – the following nationalities are not eligible to apply unless they can demonstrate more than 5 years of residency overseas (this would be appreciated discretionarily):

• Iran
• Iraq
• Syria
• Yemen
• North Korea

The main applicant must be at least 18 years old but there is no maximum age to apply.

Yes – The main applicant and dependents must each a medical certificate confirming they are in good health. There is no form for the medical report and it just has to be signed by a qualified doctor. There is also no blood test.

Parents, spouse and children under 25 years old and dependent of the main applicant can be included.

Yes – Citizenship can be passed to future generations by descent (conditions apply; it is not automatic).

This program gives to successful applicant(s) an “Honorary Citizenship” with full Ni Vanuatu rights (i.e. same rights but no voting rights or political involvement).

With visa-free access/visa on arrival,  to over 100 countries throughout Asia, Americas, Africa, Middle-east, Oceania and the Caribbean.

• No personal income and corporate tax.
• No withholding and capital gains tax.
• No estate, wealth and gift tax.
• Locally applied VAT at 12.5%.
• Possibility to change name, get a driving license, local address, register a company etc.

The procedure for Vanuatu starts with a due diligence check done by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Department. FIU usually issues a clearance certificate in 2 to 3 weeks.

Once FIU issues a clearance certificate, the rest of the file must be submitted together with the donation amount to obtain the final approval. This usually takes about one (1) month, namely used for the Central Bank of Vanuatu to clear the funds. Once the funds are cleared, the file is pushed to the next Citizenship Committee meeting for final approval (the Committee sits every 2 weeks).

Letter of approval, naturalisation certificate and passports are issued after the Committee’s meeting.

Passports are usually issued 3 weeks after the final approval.

Altogether, it takes 2-3 months from submission to passport handover. This processing time may vary depending of the complexity of the case.

The Due Diligence check is a background check made by the Government to make sure that there are no derogatory information on the applicant and that the application is not a politically exposed person.

• Processing fees: USD 1,500.
• Due diligence fees: The applicant must make an initial non-refundable payment of USD 5,000 for due diligence checks by the Government Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Division to obtain Due Diligence Clearance.
• Oath Ceremony fees: approx. 1,000-1,500 USD if ceremony is held in Vanuatu.

USD 5,000 if ceremony done in Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia.

On request in other countries.

The Processing fees and Due Diligence fee must be paid prior to submitting the application.

Oath ceremony fee can be paid after the final approval.

Once Due Diligence Clearance is granted by FIU, the applicant must pay the donation to obtain the final approval.

Should the application be denied, the entire donation amount shall be refunded. Other fees are non-refundable.

The program accepts the following currencies as payment:

• AUD
• USD
• EUR
• Cryptocurrencies (to be confirmed on a case-by-case basis. Please ask your contact person at HLG).

Once the donation has been made and the application has been submitted, the Citizenship Commission will issue a final Approval. The Applicant can then either:

• attend a ceremony to take their Oath as a Vanuatu citizen.
• Request a Vanuatu passport officer to travel to meet the main applicant (dependents do not need to travel) or, since covid 19 pandemic, attend an online ceremony with a Passport Officer and a local Notary public where the applicant is located.