Vanuatu passport for Russians: how to obtain citizenship by investment

What Vanuatu is and why it runs a citizenship programme

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Population: about 330,000 people. The country is not rich, tourism and fishing are the basis of the economy. The citizenship by investment program was launched back in the 1990s, but has been widely launched in its current form since 2017.

The logic is simple: the state receives direct foreign exchange earnings to the Development Fund, the investor receives a passport and second citizenship. Vanuatu officially regulates the program through a special government body - the Citizenship Commission. Everything is transparent, state documents.

DSP is a donation to the fund. Not an investment with a return, but a non-refundable contribution. But no real estate, funds, shares - just transfer and waiting for a decision.

Two programs: DSP and CIIP - what is the difference

There are two main programs currently in operation.

DSP (Development Support Program) - the most popular. Contribution from $130,000 per applicant. Couple - from $150,000. Family of four - from $180,000. Processing takes approximately 2-3 months, with no trip to the islands and biometrics in person. It is through DSP that most clients come from Russia.

CIIP (Capital Investment Immigration Plan) - investment program. Requires investments in business or approved projects from $180,000. The procedure is more complicated, the period is longer. Suitable for those who want to enter a local business at the same time.

For most Russians who want a second passport quickly and without unnecessary complications, DSP is the obvious choice.

DSP Program Terms and Requirements

The requirements are standard for CBI programs, but softer than in the Caribbean.

• Age - from 18 years old.
• Criminal record - there should be no serious criminal cases.
• Source of funds - you need to confirm the legal origin of the money. Account statements, tax returns, contracts.
• Health - medical certificate, simple.
• Citizens of the Russian Federation - are accepted. There are no official restrictions on citizenship.

Due diligence here is softer than in Caribbean programs. Fewer levels of verification, faster response. But this does not mean that they check formally - they check, just more efficiently.

Important point: the contribution is transferred only after the application is approved. First you submit documents, get approval - and only then pay. It's fair.

Free consultation on your case

Schengen and the UK: how visa-free access changed

Visa-free access to the European Union was reduced in three steps. On 3 March 2022 the Council of the EU partially suspended the visa waiver agreement for Vanuatu passports issued since 25 May 2015. From 4 February 2023 the suspension applied to all Vanuatu citizens. Regulation (EU) 2025/11 of 19 December 2024 moved Vanuatu to the list of countries whose citizens need a Schengen visa. The EU cited the risks of investor citizenship schemes.

The United Kingdom introduced visas for Vanuatu nationals on 19 July 2023. The United States has never been visa-free for them.

In practice, travel to Schengen and the UK requires a visa. Without a prior visa the passport opens about 97 countries and territories, including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Fiji and much of the Caribbean and Latin America. Clients who plan to live in Europe use residence: first a Vanuatu passport, then a residence permit in Greece or Hungary.

Where does a Vanuatu passport fly in 2026?

About 90 countries - visa-free or visa on arrival. Key areas:

• United Kingdom: visa required since 19 July 2023.
• Hong Kong - visa-free for up to 14 days.
• Singapore - visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand - visa-free.
• UAE, Qatar, Bahrain - visa on arrival or visa-free.
• Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana - visa-free or eVisa.

Schengen, USA, Canada, Australia - visa regime. This must be taken into account when planning.

For business in Asia or frequent trips to London, a Vanuatu passport covers real challenges. For the European lifestyle - it does not close.

Timing: what the 2-3 months consist of

Vanuatu is among the fastest citizenship by investment programmes. The approximate timeline from a complete application to the passport is 2-3 months. It consists of four stages:

• collecting, translating and certifying documents on the applicant's side: 2-4 weeks;
• submission through a licensed agent and FIU due diligence: the main part of the timeline;
• approval and payment of the contribution;
• biometrics, oath and passport issue.

The exact timeline depends on how complete the documents are and on government workload. If the passport is needed for a deal or a move, the date is discussed before submission.

What documents are needed

Standard package for DSP:

• International passport and internal passport of the Russian Federation - notarized copies with an apostille.
• Birth certificate - with apostille.
• Certificate of no criminal record - from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, with an apostille.
• Medical certificate - according to the program form.
• Confirmation of the source of funds - statements, declarations, contracts.
• Photos according to the program standard.
• For a spouse - a similar package plus a marriage certificate.
• For children - birth certificates.

Documents in Russian require a notarized translation into English. An apostille is issued in Russia through the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Justice - depending on the document.

The procedure has been completed. We usually help the client collect everything in 10–14 days if the person is actively involved.

Due diligence: how applicants are checked

Vanuatu conducts checks through international databases: sanctions lists, Interpol, financial crime databases. A certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship is requested and verified.

The level of due diligence is moderate. Not as multi-level as in St. Kitts or Antigua, but serious. Light administrative violations are not a problem. Serious criminal cases, being on sanctions lists - refusal.

Citizens of the Russian Federation are checked in the same way as everyone else. Russian citizenship in itself is not a basis for refusal. But if a person is under personal sanctions from the EU, US or UN, this is a problem not only for Vanuatu.

advice: before submitting, we always check the client against open databases - OpenSanctions, local registries. It's better to know in advance than to be rejected and waste time.

Taxes: what does a Vanuatu passport provide?

Vanuatu does not tax worldwide income. No capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no VAT on financial transactions. For wealthy clients this is an important argument.

But an important clarification: a Vanuatu passport in itself does not change your tax residence. You become a tax resident of the country through physical residence. Just having a passport does not mean moving.

If the goal is tax optimization, you need to separately work with the issue of changing tax residence. This is possible, but it requires a real move or at least leaving the tax residence of the Russian Federation. This is a separate story that we are working on individually.

Dual citizenship: both Vanuatu and Russia allow it

Vanuatu officially allows dual citizenship. The country does not require you to give up your previous passport.

Russia is another matter. Russian legislation does not prohibit having foreign citizenship, but requires you to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 60 days of receipt. This is an administrative procedure that does not require permission.

Fine for failure to notify - up to 200,000 rubles or correctional labor. Evading notification is a criminal offense. Therefore it is necessary to notify. It's not scary, it's a procedure.

A separate topic: if you permanently live abroad, the notification obligation under some interpretations of the law may be different. Check with a lawyer on Russian law - this is not my specialty, but I always warn about it.

Features for citizens of the Russian Federation in 2026

After 2022, the issue of a second passport has become practical, rather than abstract, for Russians. This is what is important to know specifically for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Money transfer. This is the most difficult moment. Direct transfers from Russian banks to international payment systems are limited. In practice, clients use accounts in banks of third countries - Armenia, Kazakhstan, UAE, Serbia. Everyone has their own situation, we work it out individually.

Notarization of documents. Apostille works in Russia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs issues certificates of no criminal record. There are no difficulties with documents.

Communication with the program. Conducted in English, through an authorized agent. The client does not communicate directly with the Citizenship Commission.

Result. Vanuatu citizen's passport is a full-fledged state document. Issued by courier or through an agent.

Total cost: all expense items

Transparency in money is my principle. Here are all the numbers.

DSP contribution (principal amount):

• 1 applicant - $130,000
• Main applicant + spouse - $150,000
• Family of 3 (+ 1 child under 18) - $165,000
• Family of 4 - $180,000
• Each additional dependent - from $15,000

Additional costs:

• State fee for due diligence - $5,000 per applicant, $2,500 per family member
• Passport fee - about $300 per person
• Notarization and apostille of documents - $500–1,500 (depending on the number of documents)
• Document translations - $300–600
• Agent commission (legal support) - please check individually

The total for one applicant is realistically from $136,000, taking into account all fees. For a family of four - from $190,000.

Comparison with other programs

Why Vanuatu, and not the Caribbean or other options?

The conclusion is simple: Vanuatu wins in terms of price and speed. The Caribbean wins in terms of passport geography - Schengen has been preserved there. If speed and budget are more important than geography - Vanuatu. If you need Schengen, look at the Caribbean.

How to start: first steps

The process begins with a consultation. You need to understand the client’s task, check documents, evaluate the source of funds. Sometimes you can immediately see that another program is suitable.

If Vanuatu is the right choice, then this:

1. We sign a cooperation agreement.
2. We collect documents and provide a detailed checklist.
3. Notarization, apostilles, translations - we help or do it ourselves.
4. We form an application and submit it to the Citizenship Commission.
5. We are waiting for approval - usually 3–5 weeks.
6. After approval - transfer of contribution, issue of passport.
7. Receiving your passport by courier.
8. Notification of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation within 60 days.

At every stage, you know where your business stands. No “wait, let’s clarify.”

BRIDGES analysis on this topic: who obtains a Vanuatu passport, Vanuatu after the EU visa-free suspension.

BRIDGES service: Vanuatu citizenship by investment with BRIDGES support.