The Vanuatu citizenship by investment (VCBI) program has brought great economic prosperity to the Government since the inception of the program in 2015.
So far, Vanuatu has collected $230.6 million from citizenship by investment revenues in just four years of running the scheme, exceeding all expectations and breaking all records.
The revenues from citizenship sales reached all time high exceeding $100 million in 2019, exceeding the surplus of Vanuatu for the first time.
VAT continues to be the main source of the Government’s taxation revenue collecting $73 million in 2019, but CBI has collected $104.8 million exceeding all expectations.
Vanuatu Government has ordered a review of the scheme in consultation with stakeholders, ministers and general public.
As Vanuatu prepares for the elections, the fate of the scheme will be decided after elections. A new chairman of Citizenship commission will be appointed after the elections. The General elections are scheduled to be held in Vanuatu on 19 March 2020.
| DSP/VCP (USD millions) | Surplus(USD millions) | GDP (%) | |
| 2014 | 0 | 12.17 | 1.8 |
| 2015 | 13.7 | 56.49 | 8 |
| 2016 | 22.19 | 26.6 | 4 |
| 2017 | 29.1 | 35 | 5.3 |
| 2018 | 60.9 | 73.13 | 8.1 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 89.41 | 9.6 |
Note: Vanuatu Vatu exchanged to US dollars at today’s rate.
How much CBI contributed to Vanuatu’s GDP?
Vanuatu CBI program has been a significant contributor to GDP of Vanuatu. Take a look below..
| GDP contribution (VCBI) | |
| 2014 | 0.00% |
| 2015 | 1.85% |
| 2016 | 2.80% |
| 2017 | 3.30% |
| 2018 | 6.85% |
| 2019 | 11.60% |
Vanuatu Economic Rehabilitation Program (VERP), was launched in 2015 aimed at raising revenue post Cyclone Pam through a fast-track citizenship program.
Later VERP was phased out by March 2017, replaced by two programs – Vanuatu Development Support Program (VDSP) and Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP).
In 2014, Vanuatu approved the legislation of accepting dual citizenship for Ni-Vanuatu citizens by making amendments to Citizenship Act 2013 and 2014.
Vanuatu Citizenship Commission
The Citizenship’s Office and Commission is a statutory entity of the government of the Republic of Vanuatu established by the Vanuatu Citizenship Act [Cap 112]. Its role covers:
1. Consider and approve or differ or reject applications of Vanuatu citizenships
2. Revoke a citizenship if it was not granted according to other provisions of the citizenship Act [cap 112] and/or the national constitution and other powers specified or implicated by the Act.
The Citizenship Commission also oversees citizenship by investment programs. Citizenship Commission ensures that the granting of Vanuatu citizenship to the applicants must be made in accordance with the relevant laws of the Republic of Vanuatu. It main role is
- To enhance the efficiency of Citizenship Office in processing of applications
- Strict compliance of due diligence checking with all applicants
- Smooth line the procedures in issuing of certificates
- Better co-ordination with other governmental departments
- Protecting the integrity of Vanuatu Citizenship
The Citizenship office collected a whopping $23.7 million from citizenship and application fees, shows the financial reports of the office of Q2 2019.
The Citizenship Commission continues to carry out its core functions while at the same time raising government revenue through its various programs such as the Honorary Citizenship Program Fees, Honorary Citizenship Fees, Application charges recoveries and other minor fees. These fees account for more than a billion vatu annually. The current demand for honorary citizenship programs is increasing each year as the program is opened to other regions. The office is currently manned by 8 of 10 officers under the current organizational structure.
Whats new in 2020?
Vanuatu currently operates two types of actively running citizenship by investment program, one is Development Support program (DSP) and the other Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP). But the programs have same investment thresholds $130,000 plus fees.
To attract clients, Vanuatu has simplified the CBI scheme improving the processing times within 8 weeks. Vanuatu further eased the requirements for passport, to take oaths online by skype due to coronavirus outbreak.
Vanuatu Passport
Vanuatu offers great passport benefits with a very good passport from pacific. As of 2020, Vanuatu citizens had total access to 127 countries in the world, according to the recently released study of Best passport rankings 2020
- Visa not required – 80 (using passport)
- Visa required – 67
- eVisa – 13
- Visa on Arrival (VOA) – 29
- eVisa / Visa on Arrival (both) – 5
