Yes, citizenship under the program is legal: it is a state program with an official price table and a Commission that makes the decision. Citizenship can be revoked only on specific grounds: deception in the application, a breach of law when it was granted, or a sentence of 10 years or more. It is worth separating rumour from what the documents confirm.
What makes the program legal
The state runs the program. Contribution amounts are published in the official table at vancitizenship.gov.vu, decisions are made by the Commission, and it meets twice a month. You can apply only through an authorised representative, and the main applicant goes through the FIU check.
The country itself is a sovereign state: independent since 30 July 1980, a UN member since 1981, an Interpol member since 20 November 2018. Its 52-member parliament tightened oversight of the program in 2025.
For an applicant this gives simple signs of a legal route: an authorised representative, a contract, a payment in your own name and a source of funds check. If someone offers to bypass any of these, that is a reason to stop.
Rumour one: the passport can be taken away at any moment
Citizenship is for life. Even an expired passport does not cancel it. The grounds for revocation are listed: deception in the application, a breach of law when it was granted, and a sentence of 10 years or more.
Look closely at the first ground, because it is in your hands. Submit only truthful information and genuine documents, fully disclose your source of funds and do not hide biographical details. A sound application is the best protection against future trouble.
| What people say | How it really is |
|---|---|
| It can be taken without cause | The grounds are specific: deception, breach of law when granted, sentence of 10 years or more |
| An expired passport means lost citizenship | Expiry does not cancel citizenship |
| Children will be left without status | Citizenship passes to children |
| You must give up your existing citizenship | Dual citizenship is allowed |
Rumour two: the program is about to close
We cannot name a closing date, nor can we promise the program will be unchanged in a few years: the terms of any state program can change. There are, however, facts you can verify.
In the first half of 2026 the program provided about 39% of budget revenue, which shows how much it matters to the country. In 2025 parliament did not abolish it but tightened oversight. These facts do not promise that terms will never change, but they help you tell documents from hearsay.
The practical conclusion: if you have decided, assess your application under the current rules and do not put it off because of rumours. Citizenship already granted under the rules remains for life, and the grounds for revocation do not depend on what others say.
Rumour three: Russians are no longer accepted
In March 2026 the Commission confirmed that Russian citizens are accepted on general terms. So there is no separate ban: their applications follow the same procedure as others.
On the Russian side, a second citizenship is allowed. The one requirement is to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) within 60 calendar days of obtaining citizenship, by the certificate date. If you are abroad, the 60 days run from the day you enter Russia. Each Russian citizen files personally, a parent files for children, and you can file through Gosuslugi or in person.
Payment belongs in this discussion too. A payment through Russian or Belarusian banks will not go through. The applicant must pay personally: from a personal account abroad, in rubles through a broker, in cryptocurrency or from your own company's account. Another person's company or card will not be accepted.
Rumour four: all travel on the passport has been cancelled
It has not, but there was an important change on the European side. From 3 March 2022 a partial suspension of Schengen visa-free travel applied to passports issued from 25 May 2015. It became full on 4 February 2023 under Council Decision 2022/2198, and since 3 February 2025 the visa list under Regulation 2025/11 applies. The UK has required a visa since 19 July 2023.
Even so, on 4 October 2026 the passport gives 85 destinations without a prior visa: 49 visa-free, 7 with an electronic authorisation and 29 with a visa on arrival. Another 41 offer an electronic visa, and 100 require a visa in advance.
There is also a route to Europe: residence. With a Vanuatu passport you can apply for a Greek residence permit by buying a home, which a Russian passport does not allow at present. Nobody can promise that visa-free travel will soon return, so plan under today's rules.
How to tell a legal offer from a doubtful one
A simple check helps you avoid promises that should not be made. Look not only at the price but at how the work is done.
- amounts should match the official table, and any line on top should be explained in the estimate
- filing goes only through an authorised representative
- there is no power of attorney in the process: the applicant signs, a parent signs for children under 12, and children sign for themselves from 12
- the applicant pays personally, and source of funds is documented for every application
- nobody can promise approval in advance: the Commission decides
- timelines are realistic: usually 2 months, 3 at most
What can really go wrong
Refusal is possible. On refusal the due diligence fee is not refunded, and everything else follows the program rules and the contract. Read that clause before signing and ask your questions.
That is why it pays to check yourself before the contract. The preliminary check is free, takes 1-2 working days and shows whether your situation has obvious difficulties. That is more honest than trusting rumours either way and deciding at random.
Common questions
Is Vanuatu citizenship legal for Russians?
Yes. In March 2026 the Commission confirmed that Russian citizens are accepted on general terms, and Russia allows a second citizenship. You only need to notify the MVD.
What can citizenship be revoked for?
Deception in the application, a breach of law when it was granted, or a sentence of 10 years or more.
Will the program close?
There is no exact answer: nobody can promise that the terms will not change. In 2025 parliament tightened oversight, and in the first half of 2026 the program provided about 39% of budget revenue.
Can I apply on my own?
No. You can apply only through an authorised representative.