What It Costs

Understanding the Full Vanuatu Passport Price: From Investment to Issuance

What's the true cost of a Vanuatu passport? It's a common and confusing question. The final figure isn't a single fee. It's a sum of several distinct parts: a substantial government contribution, mandatory due diligence fees, and various administrative charges. For most investors, the path is the Development Support Programme (DSP). This requires a minimum investment of US$130,000 for a single applicant, plus a non-refundable US$5,000 due diligence fee. Understanding this complete cost structure is the first step to a successful application. Not knowing can lead to serious budget miscalculations.

Our legal team specialises in guiding high-net-worth individuals through global citizenship programmes. We provide a transparent breakdown of every cost, ensuring there are no surprises, and manage each stage of the application to ensure full compliance with Vanuatu's Citizenship Act [CAP 112].

Development Support Programme (DSP) - This is the primary citizenship by investment route in Vanuatu, established under the Citizenship Act. It allows foreign nationals to acquire citizenship by making a specified, non-refundable financial contribution to the nation's economic development, following a rigorous due diligence process.

Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - The FIU of Vanuatu is the government agency responsible for conducting the mandatory, in-depth background and due diligence checks on all citizenship applicants to prevent financial crime and ensure the integrity of the programme.

Key Takeaways

• Minimum Investment: The baseline cost starts at US$130,000 for one person and climbs as you add family members.
• Mandatory Fees: Every application faces a non-refundable US$5,000 FIU due diligence fee upfront. You'll also pay a small VT 5,000 government application fee for each person.
• No EU/UK Access: Starting in 2026, a Vanuatu passport will not provide visa-free travel to the EU Schengen Area or the United Kingdom. You will need to apply for visas for both destinations.
• No Cryptocurrency: The Government of Vanuatu does not accept Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies directly. All contributions must be made in US dollars through official channels.
• Process: The main investment is only paid after you receive an "Approval in Principle," which significantly lowers your financial risk.

Vanuatu's Citizenship Programmes: A Cost and Process Comparison

Vanuatu offers two distinct citizenship by investment programmes: the Development Support Programme (DSP) and the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP). While both result in the same Vanuatu citizenship, their investment structures, costs, and target investors are worlds apart. The DSP is a direct, non-refundable donation, making it the most common and straightforward choice for most applicants.

The CIIP, on the other hand, involves a much larger investment into a government-approved project, usually real estate, but it offers the potential for financial returns. Those returns are not guaranteed. Its higher entry cost and complexity mean it's aimed at a very different class of investor.

Below is a comparison of the mandatory government costs for the DSP versus the CIIP. Remember, these tables exclude variable agent fees, legal counsel fees, and personal document procurement costs (like apostilles or translations), which you must factor into your final budget.

Table 1: Development Support Programme (DSP) — Donation Route

Applicant Profile	Minimum Government Contribution	FIU Due Diligence Fee (Non-Refundable)	Total Minimum Outlay
Single Applicant	US$130,000	US$5,000	US$135,000
Married Couple	US$150,000	US$5,000	US$155,000
Couple + 1 Child (<18)	US$165,000	US$5,000	US$170,000
Couple + 2 Children (<18)	US$180,000	US$5,000	US$185,000
Each Additional Dependant	+ US$10,000	N/A (covered by main fee)	+ US$10,000

Takeaway: For individuals and families who just want citizenship quickly without the hassle of a real estate investment, the DSP is the more direct and cost-effective option. It gives you price certainty from day one.

Table 2: Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) — Investment Route

Applicant Profile	Minimum Investment & Fees
Main Applicant, Spouse, and 1 Child (<18)	US$260,000
Additional Child (<18)	+ US$19,250
Dependant Child (18-21)	+ US$44,250
Application Fee (per application, not per person)	US$250

Takeaway: The CIIP carries a much higher initial cost, but it's structured as an investment, not a donation. This path might appeal to investors who want a tangible asset, but be prepared for greater complexity and the need to perform due diligence on the investment project itself.

This article is published by an independent law firm for informational purposes only and does not represent or claim affiliation with any government body, international organization, or official authority.

The Published Fee Schedule

Reproduced from the schedule the Citizenship Office publishes. Nothing here is our estimate, and no agent can alter these amounts — only the agent fee sits outside them.

What it is	Amount	When
Application fee, per application	VT 5,000	On lodging, whatever the applicant's age
Financial Intelligence Unit due diligence fee	US$5,000	Before the check begins; non-refundable whatever it concludes
Single applicant	US$130,000	After the Commission approves the application
Married couple	US$150,000
Married couple and one child	US$165,000
Married couple and two children	US$180,000
Each additional applicant	US$10,000

The Capital Investment Immigration Plan is charged separately

The CIIP runs under its own form and its own schedule. The citizenship fee is US$260,000 and covers the main applicant, a spouse and one child under eighteen. An additional child under eighteen costs US$19,250, and a dependant aged eighteen to twenty-one costs US$44,250. The application fee under that form is US$250 rather than VT 5,000. These are published amounts, not estimates, and they are set out in the Citizenship Office schedule of fees and charges.

Because the two routes are charged on different bases, comparing them on the headline figure alone is misleading: what matters is the total for your own family composition and which part of it, if any, is recoverable.