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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Nauru · Citizenship

How a Client Quickly Transitioned from Vanuatu to Nauru After Program Issues

Investment citizenship programs evolve: what was a viable plan yesterday may lose value today due to external circumstances. Our client invested in Vanuatu, and when force majeure struck, he was left with a devalued plan. We quickly pivoted him to Nauru. This is a case about flexibility and having a backup route. We explain how we preserved the actual objective.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time8 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How a Client Quickly Transitioned from Vanuatu to Nauru After Program Issues
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor who selected Vanuatu, from Yekaterinburg
Objective
obtain a functional second passport despite force majeure
Program
Nauru, Citizenship by Investment (Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program)
Challenge
the Vanuatu program lost significant value
Solution
rapid pivot to Nauru citizenship
Logic
the objective remains the same, the route is functional
Result
Nauru second passport obtained

Client story

Client Background

Where they started

The client initially selected Vanuatu—a popular expedited second passport program at the time. However, programs depend on external factors, and Vanuatu encountered force majeure: part of the passport's value that the client relied upon became questionable due to external circumstances.

Why the standard route did not work

The client found himself in an unfortunate situation: the plan he had invested in lost value through no fault of his own. There was a sense that time and calculations were wasted, and a second passport with the required characteristics now seemed unattainable.

What BRIDGES had to solve

The key was to separate the objective from the specific program. The client needed a functional second passport—expedited, remote-accessible, with strong global mobility. Vanuatu was merely one route to this goal, and its problems did not mean the objective was unachievable. Nauru offered similar advantages: expedited processing in 3-4 months, remote process, visa-free access to dozens of destinations.

Why a standard answer would not do

The client came to BRIDGES to avoid being stuck with a devalued plan: to quickly pivot to a functioning alternative—Nauru—and obtain a second passport with the required characteristics, despite the force majeure situation with Vanuatu.

Problems arose with the Vanuatu programme. Daniel quickly turned the case to Nauru citizenship, and I have a second passport.

Tagir · InvestorThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was at Risk

What Was at Risk

The real risk was getting stuck with a devalued plan or concluding that the needed second passport was now unattainable. The threat lay not in the goal itself, but in being tied to a specific program affected by force majeure. The solution was to quickly pivot to a functioning alternative rather than hold onto a route that no longer delivered what it was chosen for.

that force majeure devalued the specific program, not the goal itself;

  1. 01that the client needed a functional second passport, not necessarily Vanuatu;
  2. 02that Nauru offered similar advantages: speed, remote accessibility, mobility;
  3. 03the necessity to pivot quickly without losing time;
  4. 04achieving the goal through changing routes.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    Separated objective from program. First, we showed the client that specifically Vanuatu had been devalued, while his objective - a functional second passport - remained attainable. This restored perspective instead of a sense of loss.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    Assessed what exactly was lost. We analyzed which passport properties were affected by the Vanuatu force majeure to select an alternative that would meet the same client needs.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    Selected a functional alternative - Nauru. We proposed Nauru as a program with similar advantages: processing in 3-4 months, remote process, visa-free access to dozens of destinations. The objective became attainable again.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    Pivoted the client quickly. To avoid wasting time, we promptly transferred the client to the new route, avoiding prolonged uncertainty. Speed was critical after the Vanuatu setback.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    Processed investment under the Nauru program. We executed the investment under ECRCP as the basis for Nauru citizenship through a clear route.

Takeaway. Conclusion: force majeure devalues the route, not the objective. When a program loses value, it is more sensible to pivot quickly to a functional alternative. Nauru offers advantages similar to Vanuatu.

How we resolved the issue

How we resolved the issue

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    Separated objective from program

    First, we showed the client that specifically Vanuatu had been devalued, while his objective - a functional second passport - remained attainable. This restored perspective instead of a sense of loss.

  2. 02

    Assessed what exactly was lost

    We analyzed which passport properties were affected by the Vanuatu force majeure to select an alternative that would meet the same client needs.

  3. 03

    Selected a functional alternative - Nauru

    We proposed Nauru as a program with similar advantages: processing in 3-4 months, remote process, visa-free access to dozens of destinations. The objective became attainable again.

  4. 04

    Pivoted the client quickly

    To avoid wasting time, we promptly transferred the client to the new route, avoiding prolonged uncertainty. Speed was critical after the Vanuatu setback.

  5. 05

    Processed investment under the Nauru program

    We executed the investment under ECRCP as the basis for Nauru citizenship through a clear route.

  6. 06

    Obtained second passport

    The client obtained Nauru citizenship - a functional second passport with the required properties. The Vanuatu force majeure remained in the past, and the objective was achieved through an alternative program.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01Separated objective from program
  2. 02Assessed what exactly was lost
  3. 03Selected a functional alternative - Nauru
  4. 04Pivoted the client quickly
  5. 05Processed investment under the Nauru program
  6. 06Obtained second passport

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

Investment citizenship programs are a living market: they depend on external decisions, and sometimes a program that was excellent loses some value. This happened with Vanuatu, and my client found himself in an unfortunate situation - his plan was devalued through no fault of his own. At such moments, the key is not to panic and not conclude that the needed passport is now unattainable. I always separate the objective from the specific program. The client needed a functional second passport - fast, remote, with good mobility. Vanuatu was just one path to this goal. Nauru offers a similar set of advantages and processes quickly, in 3-4 months. We pivoted the client without unnecessary complications, and he obtained the passport. I always say: don't attach yourself to the route, hold onto the objective. If a program encounters force majeure - change the program, not the objective.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Understand force majeure
Diagnosis: route devalued, not objective · Perspective restored
Don't waste time
Quick pivot · Functional alternative
Change route
Nauru with similar benefits · Objective is attainable
Obtain passport
Program investment · Nauru citizenship
Obtain passport
Program investment · Nauru citizenship

What was: the client relied on Vanuatu, the program encountered force majeure and lost some value, leaving him with a devalued plan. What we did: separated objective from program; assessed what was lost; selected a functional alternative - Nauru; pivoted the client quickly; processed the investment; obtained the second passport. What the client received: Nauru citizenship - a functional second passport.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: force majeure devalues the route, not the objective. When a program loses value, it is more sensible to pivot quickly to a functional alternative. Nauru offers advantages similar to Vanuatu.
  • The client obtained a functional passport despite the Vanuatu force majeure - because we changed the route, not the objective, and quickly pivoted him to the functional Nauru program.
  • A quick switch to an alternative citizenship programme often solves the problem without losing time. We will look at your situation.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01What should be done if a citizenship program encounters force majeure?

Separate objective from program. If a functional second passport is attainable, it is more sensible to pivot to a functional alternative than to hold onto a devalued route.

02How is Nauru similar to Vanuatu?

Speed and convenience: processing within 3-4 months, remote procedure, visa-free access to dozens of destinations. For a client requiring a fast second passport, this represents a similar set of advantages.

03Will I lose the funds invested in my previous program?

This depends on the stage and terms of your previous program. It is important to objectively assess what exactly has been lost and select an alternative that addresses the same needs.

04How quickly is Nauru citizenship processed?

Yes, this is one of the fastest programs - approximately 3-4 months. The process is remote with no residency requirement. Exact timelines are confirmed with the authorized body.

05Does a problem with one program mean citizenship is unattainable?

No. More often, this indicates that a particular route no longer works, rather than the goal being unattainable. A properly selected alternative restores the result.

06Which documents were key in this case?

Separated objective from program. First, we showed the client that specifically Vanuatu had been devalued, while his objective - a functional second passport - remained attainable. This restored perspective instead of a sense of loss. Assessed what exactly was lost. We analyzed which passport properties were affected by the Vanuatu force majeure to select an alternative that would meet the same client needs.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

The client found himself in an unfortunate situation: the plan he had invested in lost value through no fault of his own. There was a sense that time and calculations were wasted, and a second passport with the required characteristics now seemed unattainable.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.