Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu is an island country in Melanesia, South Pacific. Its neighbours include the Solomon Islands to the north, Australia to the west, New Caledonia to the southwest and Fiji to the east. It has 2,528 km of coastline.

Vanuatu occupies 83 islands of the New Hebrides archipelago in the volcanic belt of the Pacific Ocean where the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates meet. This causes frequent volcanic activity and earthquakes, although both are usually mild and rarely destructive. Vanuatu’s best known active volcano is Mount Yasur on Tanna Island (365 m above sea level).
The country’s two largest islands are Espiritu Santo (4,010 square km) and Malakula (2,069 square km). The first of the islands is home to Vanuatu's highest peak – the dormant volcano Mount Tabwemasana (1877 m).

The Australian dollar is also widely circulated and accepted in most shops and restaurants.

Vanuatu: Tax Heaven

While this offshore jurisdiction isn’t particularly well known, many features make it both interesting and appealing. Within the Vanuatu jurisdiction, one can establish companies similar to the classic International Business Company format. Offshore companies in Vanuatu are exempt from capital and currency controls.

Just like in other classic offshore jurisdictions, the company must maintain its accounts. Currently there is no requirement of submitting reports to the tax authorities.

The main privilege available to offshore companies is a complete relief from taxation for 20 years. In addition, Vanuatu offers excellent terms for obtaining a Forex broker licence. The lost cost of registration and quick processing times have made it one of the most sought-after jurisdictions among Forex brokers. The nation strictly adheres to the Prevention of Fraud Act, which enables both individuals and companies to obtain a licence for dealing in securities.

Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program

Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment scheme became law in 2017. Applicants are offered a single investment option – Development Support Programme (DSP), which enables foreign investors to obtain honorary citizenship in return for a donation in the amount set by law. The nation’s government has restructured its citizenship scheme to optimise the security screening process and reduce the volume of required paperwork.

Vanuatu is a member state of the British Commonwealth, which grants its citizens visa-free entry to the UK for 180 days per year; moreover, an agreement with the EU and Schengen Area countries enables visa-free entry for 90 days every 6 months. Visas for the USA and Canada can be granted for a period of 10 years. On top of that, Vanuatu is an offshore financial hub in the Pacific. Vanuatu’s taxation system is extremely favourable, with identical terms for residents and non-residents. There are no taxes on income, wealth, inheritance, capital gains, corporations, capital withdrawal or stock exchange trading profits.

To qualify, applicants must meet the flowing requirements: lack of criminal record; good health; high net worth; ability to invest in the approved option.

Vanuatu citizenship and passport facts:

Freedom to choose your next destination with visa-free travel for you and your whole family – to more than 125 countries of the world.
Maximum advantages for your business. The Citizenship by Investment scheme guarantees your status as a successful and independent citizen of a politically stable country. You are purchasing a Vanuatu passport not just for travel, but also for the added benefit of diversifying your assets.
Safety for your family – dual citizenship would give you a sense of security, unperturbed by any political or economic fluctuations. A second passport is the best insurance policy in a time of political unrest and upheaval.
Attractive cost, quick application processing.

Vanuatu citizenship benefits:

No need to renounce your existing citizenship, Vanuatu has no restrictions on dual citizenship.
The citizenship application procedure does not require attending an interview. Also, the main applicant (investor) doesn’t need to meet any education or business experience criteria.
The Vanuatu citizenship application process is confidential and no information is exchanged with any third parties. Vanuatu does not disclose any information about its citizens or residents and does not notify the applicant’s country of origin.
Citizenship applications are processed in 4 to 6 weeks – the fastest turnaround among equivalent schemes.
Much lower paperwork requirements compared to other countries.
Vanuatu citizenship is indefinite, permanent and may not be revoked. All economic citizens are able to pass on their citizenship to their children and grandchildren who are entitled to it through ancestry, without any need for additional investment.

By law, the Citizenship by Investment scheme in Vanuatu offers the following option:

A donation to the Development Support Programme of at least USD 80,000. This option does not provide for a return on your investment.

Applicants will also be required to cover some additional government fees, a passport application fee and the cost of due diligence associated with the chosen investment option, depending on the number of accompanying family members, as well as consultation fees.

Program cost

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