Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of Africa and the Middle East

For citizens of African and Middle Eastern countries, a second passport is not just an additional document but a powerful catalyst for change. It opens doors that were previously closed and provides a level of freedom and security unattainable in their homeland. The Vanuatu citizenship program speaks to this audience in the language of tangible benefits: visa-free travel across Europe, reliable protection of capital in a neutral jurisdiction, access to global markets and banking services. It is an opportunity to provide their children with world-class education and ensure them a secure future. Obtaining Vanuatu citizenship through investment is an entirely legal, fast, and prestigious way to elevate one’s status, protect one’s family, and become a true global citizen for whom borders do not exist. It is a strategic decision for those who think globally and strive for the best.

Updated: 21.08.2025
Tatiana Del Moral Author
Tatiana Del Moral

Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of South Africa

Addressing South Africans, there’s no need to spend much time explaining the value of a “Plan B”. Amid growing economic instability, high crime rates, and the ever-weakening rand, the idea of a backup plan becomes an essential necessity. A Vanuatu passport offers just such a solution. This is not a call for emigration but a sensible precaution — your personal evacuation plan in case of unforeseen circumstances. It also serves as an effective tool for preserving capital, allowing you to move part of your assets out of the risks posed by the South African economy and place them in a stable international jurisdiction. It is an investment in peace of mind and confidence in the future for your family.

Key advantages for South Africans

For a South African citizen whose passport requires visas for entry into most developed countries, the advantages of Vanuatu citizenship are obvious and tangible. It is a significant leap in the level of personal and financial freedom.

  1. Freedom from visas: The main advantage is the ability to travel to Schengen Zone countries and dozens of other states without the need to undergo humiliating and lengthy visa procedures;
  2. Financial security: Transferring part of assets outside South Africa to a jurisdiction without tax on global income, inheritance, and wealth, which protects savings from inflation and currency risks;
  3. The future for children: The opportunity to provide children with education in the best universities in Europe, as well as to ensure them a safe environment for living and working in the future;
  4. The speed of acquisition: Unlike long-term immigration processes, a Vanuatu passport can be obtained in just 1-2 months. This is a solution that works here and now, while it is most relevant.

The process of obtaining for citizens of South Africa

01
Initial consultation.

Initial consultation.

Selection of an accredited agent and preliminary compliance check with the program requirements.

02
Collection of documents.

Collection of documents.

Preparation of a document package, including passports, birth certificates, and marriage certificates.

03
Obtaining key certificates.

Obtaining key certificates.

The main focus is on two documents: the Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS and detailed confirmation of the Source of Funds.

04
Due Diligence check.

Due Diligence check.

Financial Intelligence Unit Vanuatu (FIU) conducts a thorough review of the provided information.

05
Approval and payment.

Approval and payment.

After a successful check, you receive official approval and make the subsidy payment.

06
Oath and receiving the passport.

Oath and receiving the passport.

The oath is taken remotely, and the ready documents are delivered by courier to South Africa.

Important: All documents issued in South Africa must be legalised by means of an apostille. In addition, they must be accompanied by a professional translation into English, notarised. Thorough preparation of documents is the key to the prompt and successful consideration of your application.

Cost and investments for applicants from South Africa

For a South African investor, the amount of the subsidy may seem significant, especially when converted from rands. Therefore, it is critically important to view these costs not as an expense but as a lifelong investment in the safety and freedom of one’s family. This is the price for peace of mind and access to global opportunities.

Approximate cost (USD)
What is included
One applicant
~$130,000
Includes all government fees.
Married couple
~$150,000
For the main applicant and spouse.
Family (spouses + 2 children)
~$180,000
Spouses and two children under 18 years old.
Due Diligence check
$5,000
Payment is made at the beginning of the process for the whole family.

Tax consequences for South African citizens

Vanuatu is a country with a territorial taxation principle, where there are no taxes on worldwide income, capital gains, or inheritance. However, it is important for South African citizens to understand that obtaining a Vanuatu passport does not automatically cancel their tax obligations to SARS (South African Revenue Service). As long as you remain a tax resident of South Africa, you are required to pay taxes on your worldwide income. A Vanuatu passport becomes a powerful tool for legal tax planning in the case of changing tax residency.

Vanuatu passport for Nigerian citizens

For a Nigerian businessman, investor, or simply a traveller, their country’s passport often becomes a source of constant difficulties. The need to obtain visas for almost any country in the world, challenges with opening bank accounts abroad, increased distrust from international partners – all of this significantly limits potential. A Vanuatu passport offers a radical solution to these problems. It not only opens borders but also changes the way you are perceived on a global level. It is a tool that provides freedom of movement, enhances international trust, and allows for the safe structuring of assets away from economic and political instability.

Why should Nigerians consider a Vanuatu passport?

This is not just an improvement, but a complete transformation of your capabilities. The Vanuatu passport solves three fundamental problems faced by Nigerian citizens.

  1. Global mobility: You gain visa-free access to the Schengen Zone and dozens of other countries. This means you can board a plane and fly to a business meeting in Berlin or for a holiday in Paris without months-long waiting for a visa.
  2. International trust: With a Vanuatu passport, a member country of the Commonwealth of Nations, opening a bank account in Europe or Asia becomes significantly easier. It serves as a mark of quality, removing many questions during compliance procedures.
  3. Privacy and asset protection: The program allows for the legal diversification of assets by placing them in a stable jurisdiction and protecting them from local risks, currency control, and political uncertainty.

Requirements and process for Nigerians

The process of obtaining citizenship for Nigerians requires impeccable preparation. The authorities of Vanuatu understand the risks and conduct one of the strictest Due Diligence procedures in the industry. This is not an obstacle but a deliberate filter that weeds out dubious candidates, thereby maintaining the high reputation of the Vanuatu passport.

The process consists of the following stages:

  1. Pre-screening. Your agent conducts an internal check to assess the chances of success even before submitting the official application.
  2. Collection and preparation of documents. It is necessary to provide a complete package of personal and financial documents with an apostille and certified translation.
  3. Key stage: Due Diligence Check (FIU Check). At this step, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu conducts a comprehensive check of your background, sources of income, and business reputation through international databases. It is critically important that the origin of every dollar is absolutely transparent and documented.
  4. Obtaining approval and payment. Only after successfully passing the verification do you gain the right to make an investment grant.
  5. Oath and passport issuance. The oath ceremony is conducted online, after which the passport is delivered to you.

Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of Kenya

Kenya is the economic locomotive of East Africa. Local entrepreneurs, IT specialists, and investors think in global terms. For them, a second passport is not a means of escape but a tool for expansion. Kenyan businesses entering the international level and digital nomads working with clients worldwide need a document that matches their ambitions. The Vanuatu passport provides exactly that: freedom of movement for making deals, a reliable banking platform for international transactions, and the opportunity to optimise tax burdens for global business.

Advantages for Kenyan businessmen and digital nomads

For Kenyan businessmen and digital nomads, obtaining Vanuatu citizenship presents a range of significant advantages for global mobility and business growth. This opportunity allows for substantial business expansion with visa-free access to Europe and many Asian countries, opening up new markets and networking possibilities. The freedom to travel without borders means entrepreneurs can spontaneously attend international conferences, exhibitions, and partner meetings without the delays of visa applications.

Furthermore, a Vanuatu passport simplifies international financial operations by making it easier to open corporate and personal bank accounts in stable financial centres. It also offers a powerful tool for tax optimisation, enabling individuals to structure their international business and income by leveraging the benefits of a tax-free jurisdiction.

How can a citizen of Kenya obtain Vanuatu citizenship?

The process for a Kenyan citizen to acquire Vanuatu citizenship is designed to be exceptionally efficient and convenient for busy professionals, as it can be completed entirely online in no more than 60 days. A personal agent provides full support at every stage. The process begins with an online consultation and application submission. Most documents can then be submitted in scanned form for a preliminary verification, followed by a swift Due Diligence check that takes only one to two weeks for applicants with a transparent history.

After receiving an official approval letter via email, the applicant makes the required subsidy payment through a secure bank transfer. The process is finalized with an online oath ceremony, and the new passport is delivered directly by courier, ensuring a seamless experience without disrupting business operations.

Vanuatu passport for UAE residents

This part is addressed not to UAE citizens, but to the vast expat community, which makes up to 90% of the country’s population. You are successful professionals, entrepreneurs, top managers. You have built your life and career in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. However, your status, residency permit, and even access to bank accounts directly depend on your employment contract. In the event of a job change, economic crisis, or simply reaching retirement age, you risk losing everything. A Vanuatu passport offers a solution to this fundamental problem. It is a permanent asset that does not depend on your employer or visa. It is your personal insurance, guaranteeing stability in any situation.

Why does a UAE resident need a second passport?

The process of obtaining for citizens of South Africa

01
Confidential consultation.

Confidential consultation.

Meeting with a representative in Dubai or online to discuss your situation.

02
Preparation of documents.

Preparation of documents.

You provide documents from your country of citizenship (not from the UAE).

03
Obtaining key certificates.

Obtaining key certificates.

The main focus is on two documents: the Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS and detailed confirmation of the Source of Funds.

04
Remote submission and verification.

Remote submission and verification.

All communication with the authorities of Vanuatu is conducted by your agent.

05
Payment through a bank in the UAE.

Payment through a bank in the UAE.

The investment can be safely transferred from your local bank.

06
Obtaining a passport in Dubai.

Obtaining a passport in Dubai.

Ready documents are delivered directly to your hands.

A common question: “Can I apply based on my residency in the UAE?” Answer: No. An application for Vanuatu citizenship is always submitted based on your primary citizenship (e.g., India, Pakistan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, etc.). Your residency in the UAE is considered a positive factor during the Due Diligence check but is not a basis for application.

Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait

For affluent families and businessmen from the Gulf countries, a second passport is a sign of foresight and an element of prestige. In a world where the geopolitical situation can change overnight, prudent diversification of assets and personal status becomes a key strategy. Vanuatu citizenship offers an elegant solution. It provides global mobility for the entire family, simplifies the process of purchasing property and educating children in Europe, and adds an additional layer of confidentiality for international financial transactions. This is not a replacement but a prestigious addition to your current status.

Advantages for Citizens of GCC Countries

Investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—value speed, prestige, and specific practical benefits in investment programs. The Vanuatu program fully meets these high standards. It provides an opportunity for global diversification, allowing them to avoid concentrating all their assets and personal ties in a single, albeit very stable, region.

For families focused on Western education for their children, Vanuatu citizenship becomes a practical tool that significantly simplifies the purchase of real estate in Europe and ensures a comfortable stay for children while they study at prestigious universities in the UK or Switzerland. The use of a second passport for international banking operations and asset registration adds a legal layer of privacy to financial matters. Finally, it provides absolute freedom for spontaneous travel, allowing the entire family to go on vacation or shopping in London, Paris, or Geneva at any moment without the slightest visa hassle.

Process Features for GCC Citizens

We deeply understand the importance of complete confidentiality and impeccable service for clients from this region. Therefore, the entire process of obtaining citizenship is built on the principles of respect for privacy and a personalized approach. Your application is processed in strict secrecy, precluding the transfer of information to third parties.

From the moment of your inquiry, you are accompanied by a dedicated personal manager available 24/7 to resolve any questions. We minimize bureaucratic procedures: a licensed agent handles all the paperwork, requiring you only to provide the original documents. The mandatory Due Diligence check is conducted thoroughly but with full respect for your status and business reputation, ensuring correctness and professionalism at every stage.

Opening accounts in European and Asian banks

This is one of the most sought-after advantages for investors from GCC. Attempting to open an account in a private bank in Zurich or Singapore with a Gulf country passport may encounter additional checks. Presenting a Vanuatu passport, you appear as a citizen of a neutral country, loyal to OECD standards. This resolves many concerns for compliance officers and significantly speeds up and simplifies the procedure for opening both personal and corporate accounts necessary for managing international wealth.

Your second Vanuatu passport — start the process today!

From Johannesburg to Riyadh, from Lagos to Dubai – the pursuit of freedom, security, and global opportunities unites successful people around the world. “Obtaining a Vanuatu passport was the best decision for my family’s security. Now we can travel across Europe without visas,” shares a businessman from South Africa. “As an expat in Dubai, I always felt vulnerable. The Vanuatu passport gave me confidence that my status does not depend on my work contract,” says an IT manager.

The Vanuatu citizenship program offers the fastest, simplest, and most confidential way to achieve these goals. It is a proven solution that thousands of investors have used to secure their future. Take the first step towards a world without borders. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and begin your journey to global freedom.

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