Vanuatu Citizenship: Who It’s Really For and Why People Apply

Over the past few years, the world has become far less predictable: visa policies are changing, political and economic risks are growing, and countries are strengthening their mobility controls.

Against this backdrop, second citizenship is no longer a rarity — more and more entrepreneurs, investors, and families are seeking an additional layer of security to travel freely, protect their assets, and maintain a contingency plan for unexpected situations.

What You Should Know About the Vanuatu Citizenship Program

Before understanding who this program is genuinely suited for, it’s important to grasp its key features.

• Processing time — from one to several months, depending on the due diligence stage.
• Application format — fully remote: all documents can be prepared and submitted without a personal visit.
• Main requirement — a contribution to the government fund.
• Eligibility criteria — a clean background, proven legality of income sources, and no entry bans to a list of key countries.
• Benefits — enhanced mobility, a territorial tax system in the country, and minimal bureaucracy.
• Legal framework — the program is regulated by government acts and includes a mandatory due-diligence procedure.

This is not a “fast passport for everyone,” but a legal process designed for certain categories of applicants. And those are exactly the groups we’ll examine next.

Who Vanuatu Citizenship Is For: Six Key Applicant Profiles

According to the international legal firm iWorld, which assists clients with citizenship and residency programs across various jurisdictions, most applicants seeking Republic of Vanuatu citizenship fall into six main categories. These profiles help clarify who truly benefits from the program — and who might be better off considering alternative options.

1. Entrepreneurs and Founders Working in International Markets

For entrepreneurs, mobility is more than just convenience — it is part of operational efficiency. Business trips, negotiations, conferences, and quick flights between countries all require flexibility that a single passport cannot always provide.

Vanuatu citizenship helps entrepreneurs:

• simplify international travel without constant visa applications;
• structure business activities across multiple jurisdictions more freely;
• reduce risks associated with political instability in their home country.

2. Investors and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNW)

For investors, a second citizenship is part of a broader strategy for capital protection and diversification. In a world where regulations change quickly, having a backup option for mobility, access to international banking, and structuring assets becomes essential.

Vanuatu citizenship is well suited for investors who value:

• speed — the ability to obtain a passport within a short timeframe;
• legal clarity — a transparent, well-defined program framework;
• mobility — simplified travel to a number of destinations;
• flexibility — tools for building international financial and corporate structures.

For HNW clients, the fast processing time is especially important: decisions concerning asset structures or relocations often need to be made swiftly.

3. Families Building a “Plan B” for Their Children

Family needs go far beyond a “passport for travel.” They include education opportunities, the ability to relocate quickly, and shielding children from uncertainty.

Why the Vanuatu program works well for families:

• citizenship can be passed down to future generations;
• the application process is fast, which is crucial for urgent planning;
• a second passport expands the family’s options — where to study, where to live, how to travel;
• in times of instability in the home country, the family has an alternative travel document.

For families, this is primarily a strategy of safety and long-term stability.

4. Digital Nomads, Remote Professionals, and Online Business Owners

This group typically has a highly pragmatic request: freedom of movement and minimal bureaucracy.

Vanuatu enables them to:

• travel visa-free to a number of destinations;
• avoid dependence on visa centers and lengthy approvals;
• plan routes across Asia, Oceania, and island countries more flexibly;
• have an alternative passport if their primary one restricts mobility.

For digital professionals, continuity of work is crucial — and a passport that doesn’t slow them down becomes a practical productivity tool.

5. Citizens of Countries with Low Visa Scores

For people from countries where visas take a long time to obtain or refusals are common, a second passport can offer real relief.

Vanuatu suits those who want to:

• expand the list of visa-free destinations;
• reduce dependence on consulates and visa centers;
• save time and resources when planning trips.

It does not eliminate the need for visas to certain major economies, but it provides noticeable travel flexibility.

6. Individuals Seeking Flexibility in (Legal) Tax Planning

This section requires precision: Vanuatu citizenship alone does not make someone a tax resident, nor does it cancel obligations in their country of residence.

However, the program suits individuals who:

• build international corporate or financial structures;
• spend the year moving between countries rather than residing in one;
• prefer jurisdictions with a territorial taxation model;
• wish to separate citizenship, tax residency, and the place where business activities are conducted.

It is important to emphasize that all decisions must comply with the laws of the applicant’s tax-residency country. For many clients, this is a way to add flexibility — not a method of “tax avoidance.”

Who the Program Is Not Suitable For: A Realistic Expectation Check

This section helps the reader understand the program’s actual limitations.

Vanuatu citizenship should be approached with caution if:

• you need automatic access to the Schengen Area, the UK, or the USA — the program does not provide this;
• you expect to bypass screening — due diligence is strict, and financial or legal issues cannot be concealed;
• you need permanent residency in a major economy — the program provides a passport, but not a right to live in developed countries;
• your goals are tied to relocating to Europe or North America — there are other programs for that.

Clear segmentation builds trust and helps readers make realistic decisions.