Vanuatu Development Support Program

Do you want to obtain Vanuatu citizenship in just a couple of months and take advantage of all the benefits of one of the world’s most loyal tax jurisdictions? The Vanuatu Development Support Program is the perfect opportunity for this! The Development Support Program (DSP) is suitable for businessmen and investors looking to optimize taxation. This citizenship application process is also suitable for wealthy individuals aiming to obtain a second passport quickly in a country with no capital gains tax, personal income tax or inheritance tax. Our lawyers will provide full support throughout the process, from application submission to passport acquisition, ensuring maximum speed and security.

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Development Support Program

Overview of Vanuatu Development Support Program

Vanuatu’s Development Support Program (DSP) is a government initiative officially launched in 2017, aimed at attracting direct foreign investments into the country’s economy. The program provides an opportunity for investors and wealthy individuals to obtain Vanuatu citizenship in a relatively short time through a non-refundable contribution to the country’s development fund. The country also supports dual citizenship for individuals who want to retain their existing passports.

The main goal of this Vanuatu citizenship program is to strengthen and develop the country’s economic development by stimulating the inflow of capital from abroad. The funds contributed by program participants are directed towards the development of various sectors: infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, social, and educational projects.

The process of obtaining a Vanuatu passport can take only 1–2 months, which is significantly faster than many similar programs in other countries. The participant is required to make a designated contribution to the National Development Fund. Mandatory residency, language exams, or interviews are not required. Documents are submitted through a licensed agent, which eliminates complex bureaucratic procedures.

Our law firm specializes in assisting clients with the Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP) and other investment programs. We are ready to provide full support: we will assess your status and prospects, help prepare the document package, and guide you through all stages from application submission to obtaining a passport.

Documents

Main Requirements for Vanuatu DSP Citizenship

A valid international passport and copies of internal documents
Certificate(s) of no criminal record from all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months
Documents confirming financial solvency and the legal origin of funds (bank statements, audit reports, tax declarations)
Birth certificates, marriage certificates (if necessary), and other civil status records
Medical certificates confirming the absence of serious diseases that pose a threat to society

The Vanuatu DSP provides a unique opportunity to quickly and legally obtain a second passport in one of the most investor-friendly jurisdictions. However, it is necessary to meet a number of government-established criteria to participate in the DSP and become a Vanuatu citizen.

To start the application process, the main applicant of the Vanuatu DSP must reach the age of majority. Family members (spouse and dependent children) can be included in the application if they are financially dependent on the applicant. At the same time, there are age restrictions for children (up to 25 years old) and for parents (over 50–55 years old).

The applicant and all adult family members applying for citizenship must not have any outstanding or unexpunged criminal convictions. Another important condition is the absence of ongoing criminal cases under review.

The Vanuatu government and authorized agents conduct an in-depth verification of the applicant’s data in international databases. If necessary, additional certificates may be requested to confirm the lawful origin of funds and the absence of offenses.

All supporting documents must be translated into English and officially certified (notarized and with an apostille). According to the legislation, applications for participation in the Vanuatu DSP are submitted through a licensed representative or a legal company accredited by the government.

Required Investments for Obtaining Vanuatu Citizenship

The main condition for participation in the Vanuatu Development Support Program is making a non-refundable contribution to the Vanuatu National Development Fund. The amount of investment depends on the family composition:

- Single applicant – USD 130,000

- Applicant + spouse – USD 150,000

- A family of 3-4 people – USD 165,000

- A family of 5-6 people – USD 180,000

- Additional dependents – USD 25,000 per person

The above figures are approximate, and each application is reviewed individually. The amount may vary depending on the requirements for applicants.

In addition to the investment contribution itself, it will be necessary to pay administrative services and due diligence fees to the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit. You also need to pay professional fees for the authorized agent or legal company that will oversee the process.

Contact us for a personal consultation and calculation of the final cost of participation in the Vanuatu DSP. Our international law firm offers comprehensive support: we will help you choose the optimal investment format, gather documents, and go through all stages of obtaining second citizenship.

Steps

Application Process for the Development Support Program (DSP)

Consultation

The first stage is an initial consultation with lawyers, lasting 1-3 days. During the first meeting or online call, our specialists analyze the applicant’s situation: financial capabilities, certificates of no criminal record, and family composition. We provide recommendations on making a donation, preparing a document package, and calculating the contribution amount. After agreeing on the terms of cooperation and service costs, a contract is signed that details the obligations of both parties.

Due Diligence

The second stage – Due Diligence reliability check, on average, lasts 1-2 weeks. The applicant provides financial reports, bank statements, certificates of capital origin, and a clean criminal record. Lawyers and a licensed agent review the provided information to eliminate the risk of rejection by the Vanuatu government.

Documents

The third stage – preparation and submission of documents, on average takes 2-4 weeks. Our lawyers will prepare a complete package of necessary documents and ensure their official translation into English. The application is submitted through an authorized agent accredited by the Vanuatu government.

Contribution

The most important stage is the contribution of the state donation, the approximate time frame is 1 week. After verifying the documents, the government gives the “green light” for the donation to the National Development Fund. After the funds are transferred, the client’s bank sends a SWIFT confirmation, which is forwarded to government authorities.

Review of the application

The final stage is the review of the application by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission and the issuance of the passport. The VCC evaluates the application, verifies the receipt of funds, and ensures compliance with all criteria. In case of a positive decision, a Final Approval is issued. The applicant takes a solemn oath of allegiance to Vanuatu. The procedure can be conducted either in the country itself or at an embassy/consulate. The final step is handing over biometric passports to the applicant, granting visa-free travel to more than 100 countries worldwide.

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Investment Opportunities within the DSP Program

One of the key advantages of the Vanuatu DSP is the flexibility in choosing an investment direction that aligns with the applicant’s goals and budget.

The main and most common way to participate in the Development Support Program is a one-time non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund of Vanuatu. The funds are directed towards supporting infrastructure, social, and economic projects: road construction, development of medicine, education, agriculture, etc. The donation is non-refundable but provides a simplified method of acquiring Vanuatu citizenship.

Although the classic format of the DSP mainly involves a government contribution, some investors may consider additional investments in Vanuatu’s real estate market: purchasing apartments, villas, or condominiums with the possibility of subsequent rental. Vanuatu is actively developing its tourism sector, so seasonal rentals can provide a stable income. In Vanuatu, long-term land leases of up to 50 or 75 years are available; purchasing a plot of land for construction could be an interesting project for businessmen.

The acquisition of real estate itself does not replace the main DSP contribution, but can serve as an additional investment direction for those planning to earn income in Vanuatu or settle in the country.

Regulatory Framework of Vanuatu Citizenship

The main law defining the procedure for obtaining, losing, and restoring Vanuatu citizenship is the Citizenship Act (Cap. 112). It outlines the general procedures regarding the submission of applications, the list of required documents, and the criteria for various categories of applicants (birth, marriage, naturalization, investment, etc.).

Development Support Program (DSP) and other government initiatives to attract foreign investments were codified in the form of subordinate acts, granting the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission the right to offer an expedited procedure.

Apart from the DSP, other initiatives previously operated (for example, the Vanuatu Economic Rehabilitation Program), but currently, it is the Development Support Program that serves as the key mechanism for attracting foreign investments through the issuance of passports. However, individuals can also acquire a Vanuatu passport through the Capital investment immigration plan.

The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission is the key body responsible for reviewing applications for citizenship. It is authorized to make decisions on approving or denying citizenship. It conducts due diligence on applicants, monitors compliance with laws and requirements for participants in programs.

Consultation

Ready to apply for Vanuatu citizenship through the DSP program?

Our law firm has many years of experience with investment programs and knows all the pitfalls of the process of obtaining a Vanuatu citizenship.

Before starting the process, we analyze your situation and assess the chances of obtaining citizenship. We calculate the required investment amount depending on the number of family members. We explain all the legal nuances of the Vanuatu DSP, including obligations after receiving the passport.

Specialists preliminarily analyze the client’s profile to ensure it meets reliability criteria. We help prepare financial reports to prove the legality of the source of funds. We accompany the verification process to avoid rejection due to formal errors.

We work through official licensed agents authorized to submit documents to VCC. We ensure the correct completion of the application form and submission of documents. We monitor the status of the application review. We promptly resolve any issues that arise during the process.

Many clients prefer our company due to our years of successful experience with investment programs. We guarantee compliance with all the requirements of Vanuatu legislation, avoidance of delays, an individual approach to each case, and complete confidentiality of personal information.

Contact us right now for an initial consultation and qualified legal assistance. Our lawyers will guide you through all stages of the DSP program, ensuring a guaranteed result.

How much time does the application process for the Vanuatu Development Support Program take?

The process of becoming a Vanuatu citizen through the DSP takes only 1-2 months. After submitting the application and providing the necessary documents, a due diligence check is conducted, which usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Upon successful completion, the applicant makes an investment contribution to the Vanuatu National Development Fund. The final processing, issuance of the citizenship certificate, and passport take an additional 2-4 weeks.

What distinguishes the Vanuatu Development Support Program from the Citizenship by Investment Program?

The Vanuatu DSP is an official government program aimed at attracting foreign investments into the country’s economy. The DSP program does not require investments in real estate or business, as is common in traditional “citizenship by investment” schemes. Instead, the applicant makes a one-time non-refundable contribution to the Vanuatu National Development Fund. There are no residency, language proficiency, or interview requirements.

Are there any residency obligations to keep the citizenship acquired through the Vanuatu DSP program?

No, the citizenship of Vanuatu obtained through the DSP program is lifelong; applicants are not required to reside in the country or even visit it after obtaining it. There are also no requirements for renewing citizenship – the only condition for retaining the Vanuatu passport is updating the document every 10 years (as in any other country).

What is the procedure to apply for Vanuatu citizenship under the Development Support Program?

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment application procedure includes several simple steps. During the initial consultation, specialists will assess your situation, check compliance with the requirements, and recommend the optimal solution. The next stage is the collection and submission of documents. The applicant provides a passport, a certificate of no criminal record, financial documents, and other necessary papers (in English or with a certified translation). The government authorities of Vanuatu analyze the submitted information. After the application is approved, the applicant transfers at least 130,000 USD to the Vanuatu National Development Fund.