Vanuatu citizenship for CIS citizens: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine in 2026

Why do CIS citizens look to Vanuatu?

Short. Vanuatu is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get a second passport: one to two months, without moving, exams or accommodation. For CIS citizens, this is primarily a tool for mobility and Plan B, and not a replacement for the main passport.

In recent years, the usual routes for second citizenship for CIS residents have become dramatically more complicated. Caribbean programs have raised entry thresholds and tightened checks, European options (Malta, investment residence permits with transition to citizenship) have become longer and more expensive, and banks around the world are more attentive to the origin of capital. Against this backdrop, Vanuatu stands out because it delivers results predictably quickly and without the requirement to physically move to the South Pacific islands.

The Vanuatu program is Development Support Program (DSP), citizenship for a non-refundable donation to the country's budget. The applicant does not buy real estate or open a business: he makes a charitable contribution, undergoes a security check and receives a passport. For a busy entrepreneur from Minsk, Almaty or Kyiv, this means that the entire process is carried out remotely, through a licensed agent, and does not require living abroad for months.

• Speed. From submitting a set of documents to a passport is approximately one to two months, this is one of the shortest times on the market.
• No moving. There are no residence, language or residence history requirements.
• Tax neutrality. Vanuatu itself has no tax on income, capital gains, inheritance or worldwide income.
• Plan B A second passport serves as insurance against restrictions associated with your primary citizenship.

At the same time, it is important to immediately set a framework: Vanuatu does not offer visa-free entry to Schengen (more on this below), and the fee is non-refundable. This is not a European passport and is not a replacement for it. We discuss the economics of the program in more detail in the material Vanuatu citizenship by investment.

Dual citizenship: what the law of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine says

Short. Vanuatu itself allows dual citizenship and does not require renunciation of the previous one. But the law of your country is decisive: Belarus and Ukraine allow a second passport with reservations, and Kazakhstan does not recognize second citizenship in principle.

This is a key section of the article because the legal effect of a second passport is determined not by Vanuatu, but by the laws of the country where you remain a citizen. Vanuatu, for its part, allows multiple citizenships and does not require renunciation of the original one - but this is only half the picture. Below is a analysis of three CIS countries. An important disclaimer: this is general information, not an individual directive. The specific consequences depend on the country, your status and situation, so personal consultation is required before applying, including with a local lawyer.

Belarus

Officially, Belarus does not recognize second citizenship: on the territory of the country, a person with a Vanuatu passport is still considered exclusively a citizen of Belarus. At the same time, there is no direct ban on having a second passport - a Belarusian has the right to obtain foreign citizenship. An obligation has been introduced to notify the internal affairs authorities about receiving a second passport or residence permit abroad - approximately within three months from the date of receipt of the document; You can submit a notification in person or through the electronic services portal. According to available data, the law does not directly establish specific fines for failure to notify, but the obligation should not be ignored - the rules change, and the current procedure must be checked before submitting.

Kazakhstan

Here you need to be as as possible: Kazakhstan dual citizenship does not allow. The Constitution directly establishes that a citizen of the republic is not recognized as the citizenship of another state, and in 2026 this rule remains (it is further emphasized in the new version of the Constitution being discussed). Obtaining foreign citizenship is the basis for the loss of Kazakh citizenship with all the ensuing rights. Moreover, a Kazakh citizen is obliged to notify the internal affairs authorities about a new passport approximately within 30 days, and for failure to notify or late notification, serious fines are provided (about 100-200 MCI) up to and including administrative expulsion. Therefore, for a citizen of Kazakhstan, a Vanuatu passport is not just an “additional” document, but a fork in the road at which one can lose one’s primary citizenship. The decision here is made only after an individual legal assessment.

Ukraine

Ukraine is the most dynamic situation of the three. On January 16, 2026, Law No. 4502-IX came into force, which partially legalizes multiple citizenship, but not for all countries: the government approved a limited list of states with which dual status is allowed (among them are the USA, Canada, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic). At the same time, a direct ban on multiple citizenship with aggressor states was introduced. Vanuatu is not included in the approved list, therefore the status of a Vanuatu passport for a Ukrainian should be clarified according to the current version of the law and regulations - the rules are still being formed in practice. We analyze the general logic of the second passport in the article dual citizenship: how it works.

How CIS rules affect the decision to take a Vanuatu passport

Short. The fact that dual citizenship is allowed or not does not change the Vanuatu program itself, but its consequences for you. For some CIS citizens this is a safe mobility tool, for others it is a reason to act carefully and check the risks first.

The Vanuatu program is the same for all applicants from the CIS: the same documents, the same verification, the same fee. What varies is what happens to your primary citizenship and responsibilities once you receive your passport. This logic should be discussed before submission, not after.

• For citizens of Belarus. A second passport is acceptable; the duty is mainly limited to notification. Vanuatu works as a complete mobility tool and Plan B; The key is not to forget about the notification and check the current procedure.
• For citizens of Kazakhstan. There are most nuances here. Since second citizenship is not recognized and threatens the loss of Kazakh citizenship, a Vanuatu passport cannot be considered as a “silent” addition. Possible scenarios (for example, using a Vanuatu passport while maintaining or after changing status) require separate legal consideration. There is no universal advice here - it all depends on your goals.
• For citizens of Ukraine. Since 2026, the field of opportunities has expanded, but Vanuatu is not included in the preferential list, so you need to check the current regulations. For many Ukrainians, Vanuatu is still interesting as a quick backup document, but it is important to confirm the legal status in advance.

The general principle we always repeat to our clients is: first the law of the country of origin, then the program. We do not provide individual legal directives in a "do this" format - this varies by country and specific situation and requires consultation, including with a local lawyer. But we help you build a solution so that your Vanuatu passport works for your goals and does not create problems at home. If speed is important, it is useful to compare the options in the review fastest second citizenship.

Conditions and cost: what does a CIS citizen need?

Short. Basic route - non-refundable DSP fee starting at USD 130,000 per applicant, plus verification fees. The amount grows for a family. The main requirement is the clean and provable origin of funds.

The financial side of the program is transparent. This is a charitable contribution to the Vanuatu Development Fund and not an investment with a return - no money will be returned. According to current data for 2026, the guidelines are as follows:

Fees for due diligence and support are added to the fee - approximately from 5,000 USD per applicant, the total “turnkey” amount for one person is about 135,000 USD or more. The exact numbers and composition of payments are confirmed at the start according to the current price list of the program - we keep a detailed breakdown in the material on the cost of Vanuatu citizenship.

What is required from an applicant from the CIS:

• Pure source of funds. This is the central requirement. It is necessary to show the legal origin of the funds: business, dividends, sale of assets, savings, inheritance - with supporting documents.
• Documents in English. Passports, certificates, extracts - with a notarized translation into English and an apostille where it is needed.
• No criminal record or sanction risks. Certificate of good conduct, check on international databases.
• Main applicant's age of majority and the ability to include a spouse and children.

There is no residence requirement, language exam or interview on the islands - this is the convenience of the program for a busy person from the CIS. The entire process goes through a licensed agent remotely.

Documents and due diligence

Short. The set of documents is simple, but requires careful legalization: translations into English, an apostille and a convincing dossier on the origin of the funds. It is at the source of funds that most refusals stumble.

Although Vanuatu issues a passport quickly, the check is real - after criticism from the EU, the country has strengthened due diligence. For CIS citizens, this means that documents must be prepared in advance and without gaps. The basic kit usually includes:

• Foreign and internal passports (copies of all pages);
• Birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change certificates - if available;
• A certificate of good conduct from the country of citizenship and from the countries where you have lived for a long time;
• Documents on the origin of capital: account statements, tax returns, asset sale agreements, confirmation of dividends;
• Resume (professional biography), bank letters of recommendation;
• Medical certificate and photographs in the established format.

All foreign documents are translated into English by a certified translator and certified, and official acts (certificates, certificates) are usually apostilled. This is a standard procedure for citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine - the countries are parties to the Hague Convention, therefore the apostille is issued by the authorized bodies without complex consular legalization. We have collected a detailed checklist for legalization in the material documents for citizenship by investment.

It’s worth mentioning separately about the source of funds. For applicants from the CIS, this is the most common risk area: inspectors want to see not just the presence of money, but a clear and legal history of its appearance. Vague formulations like “accumulated over years of work” without confirmation raise questions. The more transparent the dossier, the higher the chance of passing the test the first time and meeting the promised deadlines.

Visa-free opportunities: about Schengen

Short. A Vanuatu passport gives visa-free or simplified entry to approximately 88-90 countries, but Schengen is no longer among them: the EU has suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu from 2022. This must be understood before purchasing.

Here we speak directly because at this point many competitors mislead customers. A Vanuatu passport does not have visa-free entry into the Schengen zone. The European Union began partially limiting visa-free travel from February 2022, and from December 2022 the suspension became complete and was confirmed subsequently. The reason is the EU's complaints about the “golden passports” program itself (fast issuance, lack of residence requirements, shortcomings in checks). This is the official position of the EU Council, it can be checked in the original source: message from the European Commission on the suspension of the visa agreement with Vanuatu.

A practical conclusion for a citizen of the CIS: you cannot count on a Vanuatu passport as “entry into Europe without a visa.” To travel to Schengen you will need a visa category C, and from the end of 2026 - ETIAS authorization. At the same time, the passport still has real advantages in terms of mobility:

• Visa-free or simplified entry into approximately 88-90 countries and territories (the number varies, you should check it before your trip);
• Access to a number of Asian hubs and most Caribbean states;
• Convenience for business trips and transit where the passport of the country of origin creates difficulties.

The picture looks like this: Vanuatu is not a “European” passport, but a tool for additional mobility and insurance. If your goal is precisely freedom of movement throughout Europe, other solutions are needed, and we are openly talking about this. We analyze a detailed current list of destinations in a separate article in the cluster on visa-free countries in Vanuatu.

Which CIS citizens really benefit from Vanuatu?

Short. Vanuatu is suitable for those who value speed, tax neutrality and a backup document, and who are sober about the absence of Schengen. This is a solution for mobility and plan B, not for living in Europe.

After a analysis of the pros and cons, it is easier to outline the profile of a person who really needs a Vanuatu passport. From our practice of working with clients from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, several typical scenarios emerge.

• An entrepreneur who needs mobility and speed. If a person often travels on business and wants to have a backup passport, which can be issued in one or two months without moving, Vanuatu solves this problem better than many.
• The one who builds plan B. A second passport serves as insurance against restrictions associated with your primary citizenship, sudden changes and instability. The speed of receipt itself is valued here.
• International business and tax planning. Zero taxes in Vanuatu itself (on income, capital gains, inheritance, global income) make the passport a convenient element of the structure - provided that tax residency is structured correctly and taking into account the rules of the country of residence.
• Someone who is diversifying with an eye toward the Caribbean. Sometimes Vanuatu is taken as a quick first step and then compared to Caribbean programs - see Vanuatu vs Dominica and review Caribbean passports.

For whom Vanuatu is less suitable: those for whom a visa-free Europe is a priority, and citizens of Kazakhstan for whom the risk of losing their primary citizenship outweighs the benefits (without a separate legal strategy). In these cases, it is more to discuss alternatives than to sell a passport for the sake of a passport.

What we check from CIS citizens before submitting

Short. Most problems are resolved on shore - before sending documents. We check four risk areas: compatibility with the country of origin, source of funds, correctness of legalization and sanctions risks.

Experience shows that refusals and delays under the Vanuatu program are almost always associated not with the program itself, but with the fact that the applicant came with an unprepared dossier. Therefore, before filing, we run the case through several control points - especially for clients from the CIS.

• Compatibility with country of origin. First of all, let’s look at what the law of Belarus, Kazakhstan or Ukraine says about the second passport and notification. This is critical for Kazakhstanis - you cannot act blindly here. We do not issue a “do this” directive: we form a picture of the risks and recommend checking with a local lawyer, because the outcome depends on the country and the situation.
• Source of funds. The most common reason for refusals. We check whether the legality of the capital can be documented, whether there are any gaps in the history, whether the amounts conflict with the declarations. If the dossier is weak, we help strengthen it before submission.
• Legalization of documents. We control translations into English, apostilles, and validity periods of certificates. A minor mistake in legalization can delay the process for weeks.
• Sanctions and reputational risks. We check the applicant against available international databases so as not to receive a refusal at the due diligence stage after payment.

Typical mistakes that we catch in advance: a Kazakh citizen submits documents without assessing the risk of losing his primary citizenship; the applicant sends statements without explaining the origin of large income; certificates have been translated, but not apostilled; a person is counting on Schengen, which the passport does not have. All this can be fixed - if you take it apart before the start, and not after. That is why our first step is not payment, but an audit of your situation and a answer as to whether Vanuatu is right for you at all.

BRIDGES analysis on this topic: who obtains a Vanuatu passport.

BRIDGES service: Vanuatu citizenship by investment with BRIDGES support.