Citizenship by investment for the whole family: how it works

You make an investment — the state provides citizenship. No residency obligations, no bureaucratic red tape. The entire procedure is carried out through verified lawyers and accredited agents. Our team supports you at every stage: from selecting the appropriate program to obtaining passports for all family members.

Why obtain a second citizenship for the whole family?

Obtaining citizenship provides reliable legal protection and security guarantees. Independence from political and economic upheavals in the home country allows parents, children, and elderly relatives to feel confident. In case of threats or force majeure situations, there is always a backup plan — legal refuge under the protection of a second passport. Vanuatu citizenship also helps preserve assets and minimize the risks of account freezes or restrictions on international travel, which is especially important in an era of sanctions and growing cross-border barriers.

Vanuatu citizenship provides visa-free or simplified entry to more than 100 countries. This opens unique opportunities for the whole family: traveling without restrictions, visiting relatives, and participating in international events. For businessmen, this means free business trips; for children, access to international camps, olympiads, and competitions; for parents, comfort and confidence when visiting any countries without worrying about visa deadlines.

One of the main factors why wealthy families strive to obtain second citizenship is concern for their children’s future. With a Vanuatu passport, children gain the opportunity to study in the best schools and universities in the world, where citizenship plays a key role in admission, tuition costs, and access to scholarships. Second citizenship also facilitates access to quality healthcare, especially in countries with a high level of healthcare.

Unlike temporary visas or residence permits, citizenship is granted for life and is passed down by inheritance. This means that your children and future generations will be able to enjoy all the benefits of a second passport without repeated investments. Citizenship becomes part of a family strategy, providing long-term stability, mobility, and international opportunities for decades to come.

Who can be part of a family application for Vanuatu citizenship?

Vanuatu Development Support Program is one of the most flexible in the world in terms of the composition of applicants. It allows obtaining a second passport not only for the investor but also for their close family members.

The main applicant: who can initiate the process?

Initiating the process of obtaining citizenship can be done by any person meeting the basic criteria. The primary applicant is the investor in whose name the entire package of documents is prepared and who undertakes to contribute the established investment amount to the Vanuatu National Development Fund. Key requirements:

1. Age — from 18 years;
2. The presence of a legal source of income and sufficient capital for investments (from $130,000);
3. The absence of convictions and a criminal record;
4. Confirmation of financial solvency — not only the availability of funds for making an investment but also the provision for all family members;
5. Participation in the due diligence procedure, including a biographical summary, bank statements, employment or business documents.

Successful fulfillment of these requirements opens the path to obtaining citizenship not only for the investor but also for the entire family.

Spouse of the principal applicant

The Vanuatu program officially allows the inclusion of the lawful spouse of the main applicant in the family application. A legitimate marriage registration (civil or religious—depending on the recognition of the country of origin) is required.

The spouse also undergoes a background check and submits a complete set of documents (passport, certificate of no criminal record, medical certificates). No additional investments are required—spouse participation is included in the overall contribution. The rights of the spouse are fully identical to the rights of the main applicant: obtaining citizenship, a passport, and all related opportunities.

Children

The application may also include:

1. Minor children (under 18 years old) — automatically;
2. Children under the age of 25 — if they are full-time students and financially dependent on their parents;
3. In exceptional cases — children up to 30 years old, if they are not married, live with their parents, and are fully supported by them;
4. Children with disabilities are also allowed regardless of age, provided they are dependent on their parents and have the appropriate medical documentation.

A separate set of documents is required for each child (passport, birth certificate, certificate from the educational institution, medical certificates). Additional fees for children are also provided. However, they are significantly lower than the main investment.

Parents and grandparents

The Vanuatu program allows including parents and even grandparents of the main applicant or his/her spouse in the application. The minimum age is 50 years.

Financial dependence on the principal applicant or spouse must be officially confirmed (for example, through transfers, income certificates, an explanation of the absence of an independent source of income). All included persons must undergo standard checks: biography, absence of criminal records, health certificate. Parents and grandparents receive all the same rights as a citizen of Vanuatu, including a passport and the ability for visa-free travel.

Do you want to find out if you and your family can obtain Vanuatu citizenship? Contact our lawyers for a personalized consultation. We will assess your profile, prepare a complete set of documents, and provide full support at all stages — quickly, confidentially, and effectively.

The process of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship for the whole family

1. First consultation and preliminary assessment

The procedure begins with a legal consultation, during which our specialists evaluate your profile as the primary applicant, check which family members can be included in the application, calculate the total contribution amount depending on the family composition, explain the legal requirements for documents, and outline the timelines and stages. At this stage, it is important to determine whether you meet the basic criteria: age of 18 or older, no criminal record, availability of legal funds for investment.

2. Collection and preparation of documents

After confirming participation in the program, the collection of documents begins:

• The main applicant: passport, certificate of no criminal record, bank statements, biography, medical certificate.
• Spouse: the same documents, including the marriage certificate.
• Children: birth certificates, certificates from educational institutions (if over 18 years old), medical documents.
• Parents/ancestors: documents confirming age, dependency, and absence of criminal records.

All documents undergo internal verification for compliance with the requirements of the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit. The company’s lawyers provide full legal verification, and if necessary, apostille and translation of documents.

3. Due diligence

Before submitting the official application, the principal applicant and family members undergo a background check through VFIU. This is a mandatory stage that ensures the absence of criminal records, international sanctions, or claims, as well as the legality of income sources. The verification process takes approximately 5–7 business days. Only after successfully completing this stage can one proceed to the next step.

4. Payment of the initial installment

To initiate the application, a prepayment (25–30% of the total investment amount) must be made. This payment includes administrative expenses and the initial stages of submission. The remaining amount is paid only after the application is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Vanuatu.

5. Submission of the application and review

Lawyers submit an application on behalf of the client directly to government authorities. The documents are reviewed by the Ministry of Citizenship Affairs and the Citizenship by Investment Commission. The final decision is made by the Cabinet of Ministers. The processing time is about 30 working days, which makes Vanuatu’s program one of the fastest in the world.

6. Payment of the remaining investment and oath of allegiance

After receiving preliminary approval, you pay the remaining investment amount (depending on the number of family members) and also undergo the oath-taking ceremony, which can be organized online or through the nearest consulate/embassy of Vanuatu. The ceremony formalizes your new citizenship, after which the preparation of passports begins.

7. Obtaining passports with the whole family

Civil passports are delivered to the specified address by courier service. All family members included in the application receive full-fledged Vanuatu citizenship passports, valid for 5 years (with the possibility of renewal).

The financial aspect of the question: How much does Vanuatu citizenship cost for a family?

The Development Support Program (DSP) requires investors to make a non-refundable contribution to the Vanuatu National Development Fund. The amount of the contribution directly depends on the number of family members included in the application:

• 1 applicant (one adult): from 130,000 USD
• Married couple: from 150,000 USD
• A family of 3 people (spouses + 1 child): from 165,000 USD
• A family of 4 people (spouses + 2 children): from 180,000 USD
• Each additional dependent: +10,000–15,000 USD depending on age

These amounts cover the state fee, administration, and directly the cost of granting citizenship.

In addition to the main payment, there are associated expenses that need to be considered:

1. Legal services and support. Professional fees of licensed agents and a legal company (depending on the service package) usually range from 15,000 to 25,000 USD for full support (including verification, submission, communication with authorities, and passport logistics).
2. Due Diligence. State background check (conducted by Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit). Cost: from 5,000 to 10,000 USD depending on the number of applicants.
3. Working with documents. Includes translations, notarizations, apostilles. Average cost: from 1,000 to 2,000 USD per family.
4. Courier delivery. The passport is sent to the specified address by a courier service. Cost: 200–500 USD depending on the region.

It is important to note: this is an approximate cost, and it may slightly vary depending on the exchange rate, family composition, service package, and specific agent.

Against the backdrop of other economic citizenship programs (for example, Cyprus — from 2 million euros, Malta — from 600,000 euros + real estate), Vanuatu citizenship is one of the most financially accessible solutions, especially for families. At the same time, you receive a full-fledged passport of a Commonwealth member state, visa-free access to more than 100 countries, fast processing in just a couple of months, and the possibility of including multiple generations of a family in one application. Our lawyers will help you accurately calculate the budget, prepare the document package, and guide you through the entire process: from the first consultation to receiving the passports.

Tips for families planning to obtain Vanuatu citizenship by investment

To avoid delays, misunderstandings, and additional costs, families should consider a number of practical points already at the preparation stage. Below, we have compiled key tips that will help you go through the process of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship as efficiently as possible.

Carefully determine the circle of dependents for inclusion in the application.

The first and one of the most important steps is to correctly determine who among your loved ones can be included in the family application. The more accurately you define the family composition, the easier it will be to calculate the overall budget and prepare the documents. A mistake at this stage can lead to a rejection or the need to submit a new application.

Keep in mind that after submitting the application, adding new members requires a repeated procedure. Therefore, we recommend discussing the optimal family composition in advance with a lawyer in the context of both legal and financial criteria. At the same time, it is important to remember that separate requirements and fees apply for each additional dependent. Proper planning of the family composition at the start significantly simplifies the entire process.

In advance, clarify all the requirements for dependents under the Vanuatu program.

Each applicant must meet certain criteria. The main requirement is the absence of criminal records and legal issues. All participants undergo a reliability check, so any discrepancies may affect the decision on the entire application. Additionally, to include parents, it is important to confirm their financial dependence on the main applicant: with documents proving the absence of income, pension, or employment.

For children, it is necessary to provide birth certificates, proof of education (if they are over 18 years old), and documents confirming that they are dependents. Neglecting these details often leads to delays or additional requests from immigration authorities. For this reason, it is better to gather all the information in advance and consult a lawyer regarding each individual family member to avoid unpleasant surprises at the final stages.

Contact an experienced accredited agent of the Vanuatu program.

The legislation of Vanuatu requires that applications for citizenship be submitted exclusively through government-accredited licensed agents. Working with a trusted legal partner significantly reduces the risks of errors, rejections, and delays. A reliable agent will help you accurately determine the appropriate family composition, prepare the documents, ensure communication with government authorities, and protect your interests at every stage. Professional support at all stages is the key to your peace of mind and the successful completion of the process.

Start preparing the documents in advance.

Collecting documents for the whole family takes time. You will need to prepare and translate birth certificates, a marriage certificate, certificates of no criminal record, financial documents, and proof of source of funds. Each document may require an apostille or other legalization depending on the country of issuance. It is also important to consider that some documents have a limited validity period. For example, a certificate of no criminal record is usually valid for 3–6 months.

You should start collecting documents immediately after the first consultation. It is especially important to prepare documents in advance for parents and adult children if they live separately. With the support of a lawyer, you will receive step-by-step instructions and templates for all necessary documents, which will save your time and resources.

Conclusion

Citizenship of Vanuatu by investment for the whole family is a strategic decision that provides stability, freedom of movement, and security for loved ones. The program is distinguished by transparent requirements, a fast processing time, and the possibility of including spouses, children, and parents in the application.

This is one of the most loyal offers on the economic citizenship market, especially for those who value confidentiality and speed. Vanuatu provides not just a second passport — it is a real tool for asset protection, tax flexibility, and access to international opportunities. No residency requirements, reasonable cost, and full support make the process comfortable and secure. In a world full of uncertainty, a second passport can become your best asset.

Citizenship of Vanuatu for the whole family: Calculate the cost and find out the details

The program provides flexible conditions for including spouses, children up to 25 years old, and parents over 50 years old, while the processing takes only 1–2 months. However, the final cost depends on the family composition and the number of applicants. Therefore, it is important to conduct an accurate calculation at the planning stage. Our lawyers will help determine all mandatory payments, including the investment contribution, administrative fees, and support expenses.

We don’t just handle document processing; we take care of the entire process: from the initial consultation and document verification to fund transfer and passport acquisition. Thanks to our expertise, you will avoid hidden costs, delays, and legal risks. We work exclusively with official program representatives and guarantee transparency at every stage. If you are considering obtaining second citizenship for your entire family, we will provide you with a personalized calculation and a step-by-step strategy tailored to your goals and priorities.

Contact us right now and find out how to make a second passport a reality for all members of your family with minimal effort and maximum safety.