Citizenship by investment programs have ceased to be something exotic. Amid growing geopolitical instability and travel restrictions, many entrepreneurs are seeking a backup option for themselves and their families. I will share my personal experience of obtaining a Vanuatu passport: how the process went, what changed in life afterwards, and most importantly – whether this investment truly paid off. This will be an honest story without advertising promises, but with conclusions that may be useful for those considering second citizenship.
The beginning of the journey: when visa centres become a second home
Many entrepreneurs working in international markets are well acquainted with the feeling of helplessness in the face of visa bureaucracy. At some point, it was the visa centres that began to dictate the rhythm of my life. I spent hours and entire days in them, filling out dozens of forms, collecting certificates, translating documents, paying yet another set of fees. Every new trip turned into a quest: is the insurance correctly arranged, will the bank statement suffice, will they accept an electronic document or demand a paper original?
It became particularly difficult to feel this when the business demanded flexibility and instant decisions. The ability to fly to a meeting the day after tomorrow was becoming a luxury. Even with multiple-entry visas, it was necessary to coordinate dates, adhere to stay durations, and prove financial solvency. An unfortunate experience with the German consulate, when I was denied the extension of a Schengen visa without explanation, became a turning point.
I realised that my business prospects were limited by a paper stamp in my passport. It was a moment of insight: business mobility cannot be built on a system that initially assumes distrust towards you. Every trip turned into an exam, and I wanted freedom, the ability to manage my own time and geography.
Why exactly Vanuatu? Comparison of options and cold calculation
When I seriously started considering a second citizenship, various offers were on the table: the Caribbean islands, European programs, even options in Turkey and Cambodia. Each consultant praised their own, each promised the perfect balance of price and quality. But the longer I compared, the clearer it became: the key criterion would not be prestige or the number of visa-free countries, but practicality.
The Caribbean options looked convincing: time-tested programs, reputation, good geography. But the processing times were too long for me. European options were completely ruled out: millions of euros in investments and years of waiting. Turkey was of interest, but its passport did not solve all the tasks by far.
And then Vanuatu appeared on the horizon. An inconspicuous country in the Pacific Ocean, which most people had never even heard of, offered citizenship with a unique combination of factors: speed, simplicity, and confidentiality of the process.
The speed of processing as a decisive factor
For business, time is not just an abstract concept but money, deals, partnerships. The Vanuatu program at that time was the fastest in the world: from application submission to receiving a passport took only 6–8 weeks.
For comparison:
- Saint Kitts and Nevis: 4–6 months;
- Antigua and Barbuda: up to six months;
- Malta: from 12 months and more.
I remember how the agent said: “If you are ready to gather the documents within a week, you can manage it in two months.” For me, this became a key argument. In circumstances where every week could determine the fate of the contract, saving 4-5 months played a huge role.
Simplicity and confidentiality of the procedure
The second important factor is the structure of the program itself. Unlike Malta or Cyprus, where it is necessary to purchase real estate, keep funds on deposit and regularly submit reports, Vanuatu offered a single mandatory step – a non-refundable contribution to the state fund.
The minimal set of documents (passport, certificate of no criminal record, bank statement) and the absence of a requirement to personally travel to the islands made the process almost “seamless”. Everything could be done remotely, even taking the oath via video call.
A separate advantage was confidentiality. Unlike a number of European countries, where the data of new citizens ends up in public registers, Vanuatu guaranteed complete privacy of information. For an entrepreneur working with large contracts, this was an important element of security.
The process of obtaining a passport: from application to oath
When I first saw the description of the procedure on the agent’s website, it seemed suspiciously simple. In the promotional brochures, everything looked like “four steps to freedom”. In reality, however, the process was not so superficial: it included a thorough check of identity and finances, but at the same time turned out to be much more transparent and predictable than any visa I had ever obtained.
The stages were as follows
01
Primary Due Diligence check
First, the agent requested a minimal set of documents from me: a foreign passport, a certificate of no criminal record, proof of income source, and a brief CV. This stage lasted about two weeks. Vanuatu cooperates with international agencies that check the client against sanction lists, court rulings, and political activity. For me, it was akin to banking KYC but significantly more thorough. It is important to note: there are no guaranteed passports here. Even if you have money, you are required to pass the verification. The agent honestly warned that refusals do occur, especially if connections to offshore scandals or dubious companies are discovered.
02
Preparation and submission of the dossier
After preliminary approval, the main stage began. We collected an extended package: copies of passports of all family members, notarised translations, medical certificates, tax declarations. All of this was sent to Vanuatu in electronic form. I was surprised: the volume of paperwork turned out to be less than for a Schengen visa. There was no need to explain every trip over the past 5 years or gather piles of bank statements.
03
Government approval and financial contribution
Further, the matter was passed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Vanuatu. It is they who review the applications and make a decision. After a positive verdict, I received an official invoice from the Ministry of Finance. The amount was 130,000 dollars for one applicant (more for a family). The transfer was made through an international bank in Asia. The agent explained that sometimes delays occur precisely at this stage when banks request additional confirmations. Everything went smoothly for me, the money arrived in 3 working days, and I received confirmation.
04
Oath and receiving the passport
The final point was the oath ceremony. In Vanuatu, it is conducted remotely: via video call in the presence of an authorised consul. I read the text of the oath from a sheet, and the feeling was unusual – a formal ceremony, but without a ceremonial hall. A week later, a courier delivered the passports to my address. In my hands, I held not only a document but also a symbol of independence from visa routines.
The whole process took 57 days. For comparison: extending a Schengen visa in Germany once took me 47 days and cost dozens of hours of nerves. Here, everything was structured and predictable.
The new reality: what has actually changed with the Vanuatu passport
Obtaining the passport became a turning point. For the first time in many years, I felt that I was no longer a hostage to visa regulations. But most importantly, it is not just emotional relief, but the new practical opportunities that this document has opened up.
Freedom of movement without a headache
The first flight with a Vanuatu passport to Singapore was memorable for a long time. I passed passport control in just a couple of minutes, without a visa, without a stack of papers, without humiliating questions. It felt like an invisible chain had been removed: you no longer wait for permission for every movement.
The list of visa-free countries for a Vanuatu passport exceeds 90 states. Yes, it does not include the EU, the USA, and the United Kingdom, but for Asia, it turned out to be extremely useful. I was able to freely travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and these are key points for my business.
This mobility has influenced the strategy. If before I planned trips months in advance, now I can decide everything within a couple of days. In negotiations, this has become a competitive advantage. Partners were surprised at how quickly I could be in the right place.
Financial instruments and tax optimisation
The second unexpected advantage of the passport is financial flexibility. Previously, when opening an account, banks in Asia or the Caribbean treated me with caution. The Vanuatu passport turned out to be neutral and clean for them. This drastically reduced the time for KYC and checks.
Moreover, Vanuatu itself is a jurisdiction without income tax, capital gains tax, and dividends tax. This does not imply evasion of obligations to other countries, but with proper structuring, it allows for legal expense optimisation.
For example, part of my projects is now structured through entities where Vanuatu plays a key role in management. This has facilitated settlements with partners, reduced transaction costs, and simplified access to international payment systems.
“Plan B”, which provides peace of mind
And, perhaps most importantly: the second passport gave my family a sense of security. We never planned to move to the islands, but the very fact of having alternative citizenship became a psychological support.
In conditions where the world is experiencing crises and sanction wars, having a backup airfield is priceless. I saw how my acquaintances panicked, searching for ways to take their families out when travel and bank transfer restrictions began. However, I already had a tool that guaranteed mobility and an alternative. This factor is difficult to measure in money, but for me, it became almost the most important one.
What they won’t tell you in promotional brochures: a sober look at the downsides
Any investment has a downside. When consultants spoke about Vanuatu, everything sounded like a fairy tale: quick, convenient, without unnecessary hassle. But during the process of using it, I encountered nuances that are rarely mentioned in promotional materials. These points do not devalue the passport, but it is important to take them into account to avoid disappointment later.
Firstly, the main disadvantage is the lack of access to key countries. With a Vanuatu passport, you will not be able to enter the Schengen Zone, the USA, Canada, and Australia without a visa. If your business or personal interests are connected with Europe and North America, you will still have to go through visa bureaucracy. In my case, this was not critical: the Asian direction is more important.
Secondly, is the irretrievability of investments. Unlike programs where the purchase of real estate or bonds is required (and part of the investment can be returned), here the money is irrevocably transferred to a state fund. This is not an asset that can be sold, but a payment for the very fact of obtaining citizenship. Yes, it is lower than in Europe, but it is psychologically difficult to accept that $130–150 thousand has simply disappeared from the balance.
Finally, it is important to remember the geographical and political specifics of Vanuatu. This is a small Pacific state dependent on external aid. It is vulnerable to pressure from major players. Therefore, new restrictions may be introduced in the future.
In advertising brochures, this is not mentioned because any marketing only sells the positives. But it would be honest to say: a Vanuatu passport is not a universal pass to the world but a highly specialised tool. It is perfect for those who work with Asia and are looking for quick results, but for global tasks, its capabilities are insufficient.
My verdict: was it worth it?
For my business and lifestyle, a Vanuatu passport turned out to be a justified investment. It freed me from visa routines, sped up negotiations, and provided flexibility in working with Asian partners and banks. In conditions where time is often more valuable than money, this advantage is hard to overestimate.
Of course, the program has its weaknesses: limited visa-free access, non-recoverability of investments, and vulnerability to political pressure from the EU. But from the beginning, I viewed this document not as a universal pass but as a tool for specific tasks, and in this capacity, it worked perfectly.
Therefore, my conclusion is simple: yes, it was worth it. A Vanuatu passport will not solve all problems, but it will provide freedom of movement, financial flexibility, and peace of mind for the future of the family, and for me, that was the main thing.