Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus in 2025: restrictions and opportunities

The Citizenship by Investment program in Vanuatu remains open to citizens of all countries, but with a number of conditions. The main requirement is a clean reputation and the absence of sanction-related ties. Vanuatu conducts mandatory checks on applicants through international databases such as Interpol, Europol, and World-Check. This ensures the legitimacy of the passport obtained and its recognition by other states. For citizens of Russia and Belarus, the process may take slightly longer due to additional compliance checks, but if all formalities are observed, the likelihood of approval remains high. The main advantages remain unchanged: fully online processing without traveling to the country, visa-free entry to more than 95 countries, 0% tax on global income, capital gains, and inheritance.

Are there any restrictions for Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians in 2025?

The Vanuatu citizenship program remains available and legal for applicants from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. However, a successful outcome depends not on citizenship but on the quality of document preparation and passing the compliance check. Therefore, it is important to entrust the process to experienced lawyers who know how to properly structure the case and interact with the government authorities of Vanuatu.

The official position of the government of Vanuatu

As of 2025, there are no official restrictions on the participation of citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus in Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program. The government of the republic continues to adhere to a policy of neutrality, avoiding participation in international sanctions initiatives and keeping its investment program open to most nationalities. Vanuatu has not joined either the EU sanction regimes or American restrictions, making it one of the few jurisdictions where citizens of the post-Soviet space can legally and safely obtain a second citizenship.

It is important to note that the government and the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission strictly monitor the reputation of the program, maintaining its international recognition. At the same time, the country cooperates with international organizations (Interpol, FATF, OECD) to prevent possible abuses. For most investors who do not have a sanctioned status and possess transparent sources of funds, obtaining a passport remains fully possible.

General vs. specific constraints

Existing restrictions in the Vanuatu program are not directed against specific nationalities but represent universal requirements applicable to all applicants without exception. The key “stop-factors” include:

1. Inclusion in international sanctions lists;
2. The presence of an unexpunged criminal record for serious crimes;
3. Providing false or counterfeit documents, including fake certificates of no criminal record;
4. Visa or citizenship program rejections in other countries: they may raise additional questions during the compliance check;
5. Serious infectious diseases posing a threat to public health.

These criteria are universal and serve to protect the reputation of the state and investors. They are applied with equal strictness to all applicants, including citizens of Western countries. Thus, there is no discrimination based on nationality. The key factors remain personal compliance, transparency of capital origin, and the legality of the investor’s actions.

Reliability check

One of the most important stages of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship is the applicant’s verification by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). It is the FIU that conducts a detailed analysis of the origin of funds, financial transaction history, and the applicant’s reputation. The verification includes:

1. Analysis of international databases (Interpol, World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance);
2. Verification of sources of capital and origin of funds;
3. Assessment of potential risks associated with corruption, tax evasion, or financing illegal activities.

If FIU confirms that the applicant does not pose a reputational risk, the dossier is forwarded to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission for final approval. This stage is mandatory for everyone, regardless of citizenship.

The verification is conducted remotely and takes from 7 to 14 days, after which a preliminary decision on admission is issued to the applicant. Thanks to this mechanism, citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus with a clean financial and legal status can successfully obtain a Vanuatu passport without facing additional political barriers.

Advantages of the Vanuatu passport for investors from the CIS

1. Speed and simplicity of obtaining

The main advantage for investors from CIS countries is the prompt processing. The average time to obtain Vanuatu citizenship is from 1.5 to 2 months, making it the fastest program in the world. The entire process can be completed remotely, without a personal visit. This is especially convenient for businessmen who value time and prefer confidentiality.

2. Visa-free destinations

The Vanuatu passport opens doors to more than 95 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the UAE. Although the visa-free regime with the Schengen Zone is suspended, the document still provides a high degree of international mobility, especially for entrepreneurs working with Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

3. Complete tax neutrality

Vanuatu is recognized as a tax haven. There is no tax on worldwide income, inheritance, capital gains, or corporate tax here. This feature makes Vanuatu one of the most advantageous destinations for structuring assets and minimizing tax burdens within the framework of international law.

4. Confidentiality and neutrality

Unlike many jurisdictions, Vanuatu does not participate in political conflicts and is not a member of sanction coalitions. This guarantees political neutrality and protects investors from discriminatory restrictions. The procedure for obtaining citizenship is carried out in compliance with strict attorney-client privilege and confidentiality of applicants’ data.

5. Family and asset security

The Vanuatu passport is not just a travel document but a tool for family protection. It provides the opportunity to create a backup legal identity, offering more freedom in the event of political and economic risks in the country of primary citizenship. Citizenship is passed down by inheritance, making it a long-term asset for future generations.

6. Simple compliance and neutral policy on CIS

The government does not impose restrictions based on nationality and applies uniform verification rules for all applicants. For CIS citizens not under sanctions and with transparent capital origins, the procedure is fully accessible. This is one of the few areas where legal predictability and stability of participation conditions are maintained.

Vanuatu Citizenship Program: Investment Options 2025

Despite the political and economic changes in the global environment, the state continues to offer foreign investors transparent and legal pathways to obtain citizenship. Currently, there are two official programs operating under government control: DSP and CIIP. Both are aimed at attracting foreign capital to the economy of Vanuatu but differ in structure, requirements, and purpose.

1. Development Support Program (DSP)

Development Support Program (DSP) is the main and most popular program for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship through investment. It was launched in 2017 and is regulated by the Vanuatu Citizenship Act [Cap. 112], under the supervision of the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The main goal of the program is to attract funds for the socio-economic development of the country, including infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

Key characteristics of DSP:

1. Investment: a non-refundable contribution to the state fund starting from 130,000 USD for a single applicant;
2. Processing time: 1-2 months, making the program the fastest in the world;
3. Form of participation: fully remote, without the need to visit Vanuatu;
4. Eligible applicants: the main investor, spouse, children up to 25 years old, and parents over 50 years old;
5. Procedure: preliminary check (Due Diligence) → FIU approval → final payment → issuance of citizenship certificate and passport.

The DSP program is known for its transparency, speed, and absence of hidden fees. Unlike Caribbean counterparts, there is no requirement to purchase real estate or start a business here. A direct contribution to the national development fund is sufficient.

2. Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP)

Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) – an alternative pathway to obtaining Vanuatu citizenship, designed for those who prefer a structured approach with an investment component. The program is managed through the Vanuatu Investment Migration Bureau – an organization operating under an agreement with the government. Unlike DSP, CIIP involves a multi-stage investment mechanism, including payment of administrative fees, a charitable contribution, and participation in an investment platform that supports the development of private and public projects in Vanuatu.

Main parameters of CIIP:

1. Investment: from 135,000 USD for a single applicant;
2. Implementation period: from 2 to 3 months;
3. The structure of payments: part of the amount is directed to state funds, part — to investment projects managed by VIMB;
4. Control: strict compliance and confirmation of capital origin;
5. Legal basis: approved by the government of Vanuatu and regulated within the framework of national citizenship legislation.

The main difference from DSP lies in the fact that CIIP combines elements of donation and real investment, which makes it attractive for those who want not only to obtain a passport but also to participate in the development of the country’s economy.

Both programs provide the same legal status of a Vanuatu citizen and the same passport but differ in their structure and approach:

1. DSP – ideal for those who want to obtain citizenship as quickly and simply as possible, without participating in projects;
2. CIIP – is of interest to investors focused on long-term investments and participation in real initiatives.

From a legal perspective, both programs comply with international AML/KYC standards and are recognized as legal tools for obtaining second citizenship. However, each application undergoes an individual FIU review, ensuring a high level of reputational integrity.

Step-by-step process of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship in 2025

Step 1. Preliminary assessment and KYC screening

It all begins with a confidential consultation and a basic KYC questionnaire. Personal data, citizenship, residency, sources of income, visa rejections, and involvement in legal disputes are checked. The goal at this stage is to eliminate stop factors (sanctions lists, outstanding criminal records, issues with the origin of funds) and confirm preliminary eligibility for the program.

Step 2. Pre-check FIU

Official admission filter – express check by the financial intelligence unit of Vanuatu. A short package of documents is submitted: passport, resume/application form, certificate of no criminal record/or a commitment to provide it, basic bank confirmations of the source of funds. FIU evaluates reputational and sanction risks, the legality of income, and compliance with AML/KYC. Based on the result, you receive preliminary approval or a request for additional information. Average timeframe: 1–2 weeks.

Step 3. Consolidation of the strategy and agreement

After a positive pre-approval, the family composition is agreed upon (spouse, children under 25 years old, parents over 50 years old), the payment schedule and document submission timeline are determined. A support agreement is signed, and the budget is finalized (program contribution + government and agency fees + due diligence). For Vanuatu, this is one of the most transparent budgets in the industry. The basic non-refundable contribution starts at 130,000 USD for a single applicant (excluding DD and administrative fees).

Step 4. Collection and legalization of documents

A complete dossier is being prepared for each included family member:

• Foreign passport and internal document (copies);
• Birth/marriage/name change certificates;
• Certificate(s) of no criminal record from countries of citizenship and long-term residence;
• Bank statements, tax declarations, financial reports, or other evidence of the source of funds;
• Medical forms (upon request);
• Photos of the installed sample.

Documents are translated by sworn translators, notarized, and, if necessary, apostilled. At this stage, it is important to reconcile all names/transliterations and dates in advance to avoid discrepancies.

Step 5. Submission of the main petition to the Citizenship Commission

A licensed state agent forms an electronic and paper dossier and submits it to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission. The package includes confirmation of pre-approval from FIU, applicant forms, proof of source of funds, and payment of the applicable fees. The Commission conducts a legal and formal review, coordinating with the FIU if questions arise. In practice, inquiries pertain to the details of income flows, beneficial ownership, and explanations regarding visa history.

Step 6. Approval in Principle

In the case of a positive decision, you receive a conditional approval, which lists the final steps and deadlines for making the investment contribution. This is a key point of irrevocable confirmation from the state: the dossier has been approved, only financial and procedural formalities remain to be completed.

Step 7. Making the investment contribution

A non-refundable contribution to the state fund is transferred to the specified treasury details (in stages or in a lump sum, according to the terms of your decision). For transparency, SWIFT confirmations and payment documents are retained. Simultaneously, the agent finalizes the issuance of citizenship certificates for all approved family members.

Step 8. Oath of Allegiance

According to the laws of Vanuatu, it is necessary to take an oath. In 2025, this will be organized remotely: the ceremony is conducted by an authorized Commissioner of Oaths/Justice of the Peace via video call or in an on-site format (sometimes in one of the cities convenient for the applicant). As a result, you receive a Certificate of Citizenship/Naturalisation.

Step 9. Issuance and delivery of the passport

After the oath, passport forms are submitted; a passport(s) is issued for each family member. Documents are delivered by courier service to the agreed address. In practice, the entire cycle from pre-FIU to receiving the passport takes about 6–8 weeks with prompt responses to requests and a properly prepared package.

Step 10. Renewal and Compliance

1. Validity period: Ordinary passports of Vanuatu are issued for a long term (specified at the time of issuance), renewal is carried out through authorized channels without a residency requirement.
2. Children born later: can be registered through the Vanuatu citizen’s line with the submission of the relevant documents.
3. Tax status: Vanuatu has no tax on worldwide income, inheritance, and capital gains; there is no corporate tax. Citizenship itself does not create tax residency, which is determined by separate criteria (actual presence, etc.).
4. Visa card updates: keep track of changes in visa-free agreements (we provide clients with updated route navigators).
5. Banking and migration compliance: keep the “source of funds” package and payment confirmations, this speeds up due diligence when opening accounts and applying for visas.

We will help you obtain a second citizenship of Vanuatu.

Our lawyers assist clients at all stages of the process: from the initial reliability check to passport issuance. We conduct a preliminary compliance analysis to ensure in advance that the applicant meets the program criteria and to minimize the risk of rejection at the FIU level.

We take care of all communication with the government authorities of Vanuatu, including the preparation, legalization, and submission of documents, as well as organizing the citizenship oath. You do not need to visit the country: all processing is done remotely and confidentially, under the supervision of licensed representatives.

In addition to legal accuracy, we provide a personalized approach. An individual strategy is developed for each client, including the optimization of family composition, the selection of an investment option, the preparation of proof of funds’ origin, and tax planning.

We also provide consultations on tax status, opening foreign accounts, asset structuring, and visa-free regimes so that you can make the most of the benefits of second citizenship.

Contact our team right now to find out if you are eligible to participate in the program and receive a personalized roadmap with a cost estimate for your family. A second citizenship can become your real tool for freedom, security, and financial independence, and we will help you navigate this path without mistakes.