Citizens of various countries in North and Latin America, from the USA to Argentina, are increasingly seeking a second passport, but their motivations are entirely different. For an American, it is a tool for geopolitical diversification and tax planning. For a Canadian, it is a way to expand already broad horizons. For a Brazilian, it is a key that opens doors to Europe without visas. An Argentine sees it as salvation from hyperinflation, while a Mexican entrepreneur views it as a ticket to the major league of global business. At first glance, their problems and goals seem unique, but at their core, they boil down to universal human desires: freedom of movement, asset security, and confidence in the future for their family.
The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program offers an elegant and, crucially, swift solution that addresses these diverse needs. It serves as a bridge between current limitations and global opportunities, offering a reliable “Plan B” in a world full of uncertainty. This is not just the purchase of a passport but a strategic investment in personal and financial freedom.
Citizenship of Vanuatu for US citizens
Addressing a citizen of the USA, the idea of a second passport might seem paradoxical. Why would one need it if an American passport grants access to almost the entire world? The answer lies not in replacement but in addition. The world is changing, and geopolitical tensions can, at any moment, restrict freedom of movement even for Americans. A Vanuatu passport is not a way to evade tax obligations to the IRS but a powerful tool for optimising them and globally structuring assets. It provides the freedom to live, work, and conduct banking operations in jurisdictions where an American passport might raise unnecessary questions or complicate procedures. It is diversification of your personal freedom, an insurance policy against political and economic storms, allowing you and your family to remain citizens of the world rather than hostages to one flag.
Advantages of a Vanuatu passport for Americans
For an American citizen accustomed to a certain level of global mobility, a Vanuatu passport opens up new, unobvious horizons. It is not just a duplicate travel document but a unique asset that addresses specific tasks. Here are the key advantages it provides:
- Geopolitical diversification: Gaining access to countries that maintain neutral or friendly relations with Vanuatu but may have complex relations with the USA, ensuring freedom of movement regardless of Washington’s foreign policy;
- A tool for global living: The perfect solution for expats and digital nomads, simplifying the opening of bank accounts, company registration, and obtaining residency in third countries where an American passport may result in stricter FATCA checks;
- Financial confidentiality: The ability to conduct banking operations and own assets through a jurisdiction not part of the main financial information exchange alliances, which increases the level of privacy (while maintaining reporting obligations in the USA);
- Reliable “Plan B”: Having a second citizenship in a stable, neutral Commonwealth country is your personal insurance in case of social, political, or economic upheavals in your homeland.
The process of obtaining citizenship for US citizens
One of the main advantages of the Vanuatu program is its remarkable speed and simplicity, especially for applicants from countries with developed legal systems, such as the USA. The entire process is designed to be as efficient as possible and can be completed remotely. It is important to understand that as part of the Due Diligence procedure (reliability check), not only the absence of criminal records will be thoroughly examined, but also your history of interactions with the US tax authorities (IRS) to ensure the legitimacy of the source of funds.
The process for American citizens is as follows:
01
Initial consultation and preliminary check
At this stage, the agent assesses your chances and helps prepare the basic set of documents.
02
Collection and legalisation of documents
The main package includes passports, birth and marriage certificates, and a certificate of no criminal record. A key point for documents from the USA is the affixing of an apostille, confirming their authenticity at the international level.
03
Due Diligence process
Due Diligence process. Documents are submitted to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu (FIU) for detailed verification. This stage takes from 7 to 14 days.
04
Approval and payment
After a successful verification, you receive an official approval letter, after which it is necessary to make the main donation to the state fund.
05
Taking the oath
The ceremony can be organised remotely via videoconference, which is a huge advantage. The oath is administered by a special commissioner.
06
Obtaining a passport and a certificate of naturalisation
Ready documents are delivered by courier service to any point in the world.
Costs
Options for Obtaining Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
The Vanuatu program is based on a non-refundable grant to the National Development Fund. This is a direct contribution to the country’s economy, not a returnable investment in real estate or securities. Transparency is the key principle of pricing.
Capital Investment Immigration Plan
Development Support Program
Application Timeline 3-4 Months
2-3 Months
Program Fees USD
USD
One applicant 155 000
130 000
Married couple 155 000
150 000
A family of 3 people 155 000
165 000
A family of 4 people 155 000
180 000
Additional dependent 25 000
25 000
Tax consequences for American citizens
It is extremely important to understand: obtaining Vanuatu citizenship does not exempt US citizens from their tax obligations to their homeland. The USA is one of two countries in the world (along with Eritrea) that taxes its citizens based on citizenship rather than residency. You will still be required to file an annual tax return with the IRS and report foreign accounts (FBAR) and assets (FATCA).
What, then, is the value of a Vanuatu passport from a tax perspective? It lies in the convenience of operational activities outside the USA. With a Vanuatu passport, you can more easily open bank and brokerage accounts in international financial centres where banks may be reluctant to work with American citizens due to the complexities associated with FATCA. It is a tool for more efficient management of global assets, not for tax evasion.
Vanuatu passport for Canadian citizens
Canadians possess one of the best passports in the world. So why might they need a second one? The answer lies in the strategy of “from good to better.” Vanuatu, like Canada, is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which creates a certain commonality in legal and cultural traditions. For a Canadian, a Vanuatu passport is not a necessity but a sensible expansion of opportunities. It enhances already excellent mobility, opening or simplifying access to certain countries in Asia and Africa. For “snowbirds” spending winter in warmer climates, it can become an element of tax planning when changing residency. And for entrepreneurs targeting the Asia-Pacific region, Vanuatu citizenship opens doors for business and investment in one of the fastest-growing parts of the world.
Why should Canadians consider a Vanuatu passport?
Your Canadian passport is the gold standard. It gives you immense freedom. But in the world of finance and global mobility, diversification is the key to stability and growth. Consider Vanuatu citizenship not as a replacement but as an addition to your portfolio of personal assets. Yes, your passport is magnificent, but here’s what you gain additionally:
- Diversification of citizenship: Reducing dependence on a single country, its political course, and international agreements.
- New financial opportunities: Simplified access to banking services and investment platforms in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Climatic and personal “Plan B”: The possibility to move at any moment to a tropical country with a favourable tax regime (no income tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax for residents).
How can a Canadian citizen obtain a Vanuatu passport?
01
Submission of an application through an accredited agent.
Choosing a reliable representative is the key to success.
02
Preparation of documents.
Canadian documents, such as birth certificates or bank statements, are highly trusted.
03
FIU check.
Financial intelligence of Vanuatu is conducting a standard but thorough check.
04
Payment of subsidy.
After approval, the main payment is made.
05
Remote oath-taking and passport issuance.
Documents are delivered to you in Canada or any other country.
Comparative table: Passport of Canada vs. Passport of Vanuatu
To make a balanced decision, it is important to objectively compare both documents. Honesty and transparency are the best advisors here.
| Criterion | 🇨🇦 Passport of Canada | 🇻🇺 Passport of Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free access | ~185 countries, including the USA. | ~100 countries, including the United Kingdom and the Schengen Zone. |
| Taxation | Based on residency, high tax rates. | 0% tax on global income, inheritance, wealth. |
| Term of receipt | Years (through naturalisation). | 1-2 months. |
| The cost of obtaining | Low (state duty). | High (investment from $130,000). |
| Transfer to children | Automatically by birth. | Automatically by birth for future generations. |
| Geopolitical weight | Tall, member of G7. | Neutral, member of the Commonwealth of Nations. |
Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of Brazil
For a Brazilian citizen, phrases like “visa to the United Kingdom” or “queue for submitting documents to the consulate of a Schengen country” understandably evoke gloom. A Vanuatu passport solves this problem once and for all. It is your key to the world without tiresome visa procedures, granting free entry to the United Kingdom and the entire Schengen zone. But it’s not just about travel. Against the backdrop of economic instability and political turbulence in Latin America, a second passport becomes a tool for asset protection. It allows you to diversify savings, store them in stable jurisdictions, and ensure financial security for your family, which is unattainable within the framework of just one, even beloved, country.
Key advantages for Brazilians
- Visa-free travel: The Vanuatu passport allows visiting more than 90 countries without a visa, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and many Commonwealth nations.
- Asset protection: The ability to open accounts and store funds in international banks.
- Economic stability: Tying part of your future to a jurisdiction independent of the Brazilian economy.
- Speed: Obtaining a passport in just 1-2 months.
The process of obtaining for citizens of Brazil
The procedure for Brazilians is standard but requires special attention to the preparation of documents. The authorities of Vanuatu conduct a thorough check, so every document must be impeccable. Particular attention is paid to the certificate of no criminal record (Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais) and documents confirming the legal origin of funds.
- Preliminary check. Make sure that you and your family meet the program criteria.
- Collection of documents. Prepare passports, certificates, criminal record checks, and financial documents.
- Apostilling and translation. All documents issued in Brazil must be apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention.
- Submission and verification of Due Diligence. Your documents will be thoroughly reviewed.
- Payment and oath. After approval, you make a donation and take the oath (possibly remotely).
- Obtaining a passport.
Important: Apostille (Apostila de Haia) is a critically important step. Without it, your Brazilian documents will not have legal force in Vanuatu. A professional translation of all documents into English, carried out by a certified translator, is also required.
The cost of the program for Brazilian applicants
Consider these expenses as an investment in the freedom and security of your family. The cost depends on the number of family members and is calculated in US dollars.
Approximate cost (USD)
What is included
One applicant
~$135,000
Subsidy + DD check
Married couple
~$150,000
Subsidy + DD check
Family (spouses + 2 children)
~$180,000
Subsidy + DD check
Tax aspects for Brazilian citizens
As with the USA, it is important to understand: obtaining a Vanuatu passport does not automatically change your tax residency status in Brazil. If you continue to live in Brazil, you are obliged to declare all your global income (princípio da universalidade) to Receita Federal. The value of a Vanuatu passport lies not in tax avoidance but in gaining tools for global financial planning, asset diversification, and protection against economic instability in your home country. When changing tax residency (for example, by moving out of Brazil), the situation changes, but this step requires thorough consultation with tax experts.
Citizenship of Vanuatu for citizens of Argentina
For an Argentine living amidst a permanent economic storm, hyperinflation, peso devaluation, and strict currency controls (cepo cambiario), a second passport is not a luxury but an essential necessity. It is a lifeline. Vanuatu citizenship offers a tangible way out of financial isolation. It allows one to legally and safely store savings in US dollars or another stable currency in reliable international banks, in a jurisdiction where your wealth is protected by law. It is a way to break the vicious cycle of losing savings and to secure a future for your children where their work and savings won’t be consumed by yet another economic crisis.
Why do Argentinians need a Vanuatu passport?
- Protection of savings: Transferring assets from the constantly depreciating peso to US dollars or euros in accounts outside Argentina.
- Exit from financial isolation: Overcoming currency control restrictions and freely managing your money worldwide.
- Freedom of travel: Visa-free access to Europe and dozens of other countries without the need to obtain visas with an Argentinian passport.
- Inheritance for children: Creating stable foreign capital that can be passed on to the next generation, protecting it from Argentine economic risks.
How can a citizen of Argentina obtain Vanuatu citizenship?
The key advantage for an Argentine is the ability to go through the entire process without leaving the country. In conditions where travelling abroad may be associated with difficulties, a fully remote procedure becomes a decisive factor.
- Contact the official agent. They will guide you through the entire process.
- Collect the necessary documents. You will need apostilled copies of passports, certificates, and a criminal record certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales).
- Confirm the source of funds. This is the most important stage for Argentinians. You will need to provide transparent evidence of the legality of your savings.
- Undergo the Due Diligence check. The process takes several weeks.
- Make an investment contribution. After approval, you transfer the funds.
- Take the oath online and receive your passport. Documents will be delivered to your home.
01
Contact the official agent.
They will guide you through the entire process.
02
Collect the necessary documents.
You will need apostilled copies of passports, certificates, and a criminal record certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales).
03
Confirm the source of funds.
This is the most important stage for Argentinians. You will need to provide transparent evidence of the legality of your savings.
04
Undergo the Due Diligence check.
The process takes several weeks.
05
Make an investment contribution.
After approval, you transfer the funds.
06
Take the oath online and receive your passport.
Documents will be delivered to your home.
Investment vs. Value: what does an Argentine get?
It is incorrect to view the cost of the program as an expense. It is an exchange. You make a one-time, fixed contribution in dollars, and in return, you receive lifelong, invaluable benefits. Compare the amount of the contribution with the losses that the average Argentinian saver incurs from inflation in just a few years. An investment in Vanuatu citizenship is essentially a purchase of financial stability and freedom. It is the cessation of constant capital outflow and the beginning of its preservation and growth.
We answer the main question of an Argentinian: “What about my taxes?”
Obtaining a second passport does not cancel your obligations to AFIP (the tax authority of Argentina) if you remain a tax resident of the country. You are still required to report your global assets. However, a Vanuatu passport provides you with legal tools for more effective management of these assets. It allows you to open accounts and companies abroad, where you can transfer your savings, protecting them from the devaluation of the peso. This is a transition from passive loss of money to active management of your wealth within the framework of international law.
Passport of Vanuatu for citizens of Mexico
For ambitious Mexican entrepreneurs and families striving for global integration, Vanuatu citizenship is a strategic step. It is less about solving current issues and more about investing in future growth. A Vanuatu passport provides visa-free access to Europe and Asia, simplifying international business operations, participation in exhibitions, and negotiations. It enhances your personal and corporate status, inspiring greater trust from foreign partners and banks. For families, it is an opportunity to provide children with education in the world’s best institutions and secure them a truly global future.
Advantages for Mexican entrepreneurs and families
- Global business: Free movement around the world for making deals and expanding markets.
- Status enhancement: A second passport from a Commonwealth country increases trust in international financial circles.
- Education for children: Simplifying the process of admission and accommodation for children studying in Europe.
- Diversification of assets: Allocation of part of the family capital in a stable international jurisdiction.
Requirements and steps for Mexicans
The process for citizens of Mexico is standard, but special attention is paid to verifying the purity of capital origin. Due Diligence for Mexican applicants will be very strict, requiring thorough and transparent preparation of financial documents.
- Consultation and preparation: Assessment of compliance and collection of documents confirming identity, absence of criminal records, and source of income.
- Financial audit: Providing detailed information about the business and sources of funds for FIU Vanuatu.
- Approval and investment: After successful verification — obtaining approval and payment of the grant.
- Obtaining citizenship: Remote oath and passport delivery.
Comparison of programs: Vanuatu vs. Caribbean programs
Mexican investors often choose between Vanuatu and the programs of Caribbean countries (Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, etc.). Each has its own advantages.
| Parameter | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | 🇰🇳 The Caribbean (on average) |
| Speed | 1-2 months (the fastest) | 4-8 months |
| Visa-free in the UK | Yes | Да |
| Visa-free to China | No | Yes |
| Process | Fully remote | May require personal presence (depends on the country) |
| Cost | From $130,000 | It might be slightly cheaper (but often longer). |
| Reputation | The only program in ATP | Historically popular, but with changing rules |
The key advantage of Vanuatu is its unparalleled speed and simplicity. If time is a critical factor, Vanuatu has no competitors.
Opening bank accounts with a Vanuatu passport
For a Mexican citizen, opening an account in a Swiss, Singaporean, or Dubai bank can be a complex process with numerous checks. A Vanuatu passport radically changes the situation. It is a document that increases the trust of financial institutions. You present yourself not as a citizen of Mexico but as a citizen of a Commonwealth nation with a clean reputation. This is not an automatic guarantee of account opening, but it significantly simplifies KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures and greatly increases your chances of successful cooperation with leading global banks.
Second passport of Vanuatu – start the process today!
Regardless of who you are—an American investor seeking diversification, a Canadian retiree planning a life in the warmth, a Brazilian entrepreneur aspiring to Europe, an Argentinian protecting their savings, or a Mexican building a global business empire—Vanuatu citizenship offers you a powerful, fast, and reliable tool to achieve your goals. It is not just a document; it is a lifelong investment in freedom, security, and new opportunities for you and your future generations.
The process is completely confidential and guaranteed by the legislation of Vanuatu. Thousands of investors from all over the world have already used this program to build their global future. Do not postpone a decision that could radically change your life. Take the first step towards boundless freedom today.