Where is Vanuatu? What kind of country it is and how it works

Where Vanuatu is: the country in numbers

If you want the basics in one place, they are in the table below. It is a spacious country: with 343 320 residents and 12 199 sq km of land, there are about 28 people per square kilometre.

The easiest way to find Vanuatu on a map is to start from Australia and move about 1 750 km east. The country is spread over 83 islands, so it is easy to miss on a small-scale map.

The country runs on UTC+11. That is no obstacle for an applicant in another time zone: the oath is taken online by video call at a convenient time, so you will not have to rearrange your day around the islands.

How the state is organised

Vanuatu became independent on 30 July 1980 and joined the United Nations the following year. It has been a member of Interpol since 20 November 2018. Laws are passed by a parliament of 52 members.

This matters in practice too. The passport is issued by a sovereign state that belongs to international organisations, not by a private body. In 2025 parliament tightened oversight of the citizenship program. The program also carries real weight in the economy: in the first half of 2026 it provided about 39% of budget revenue.

To understand how the state treats the program, look at what it does. In 2025 parliament tightened oversight. In March 2026 the Commission confirmed that Russian citizens are accepted on general terms.

You can apply only through an authorised representative, and the main applicant goes through the FIU check. Source of funds is mandatory for every application. For a small state where the program provided about 39% of budget revenue in the first half of 2026, this is a serious part of the work and not a formality.

Which languages are spoken

There are three official languages: Bislama, English and French. If you speak English or French, finding your way around the country's official environment will be easier.

You do not need to learn Bislama for citizenship: language knowledge is not on the applicant's document list. You will, however, need translation and certification of your documents. These are invoiced separately.

Banks, taxes and land

Banks operating in the country include National Bank of Vanuatu, ANZ, BRED and Bank South Pacific. The bank itself decides on opening an account, so a passport does not mean an automatic account, either here or elsewhere.

Domestic tax is simple: no tax on income, capital gains or inheritance, and 15% VAT. Still, tax follows tax residency, so for someone who keeps living in another country a new passport alone changes nothing.

Foreigners can lease land for up to 75 years. If you are considering Vanuatu for a project of your own, plan around that format and check the terms for the specific plot.

You do not need to buy property in Vanuatu to obtain citizenship. The money goes either to the contribution or to the fund. The contribution program starts at $130 000 for one person, and the fund is $157 000 for a family of 1 to 4. The due diligence fee is added on top.

Do you have to go there for citizenship

No. You do not need to fly to or live in Vanuatu. The oath is taken online, and biometrics are done in person in Moscow or St Petersburg, where sessions run at least once a month. Dubai, Hong Kong and Port Vila are also options. In another city a staff member will come to your home, office or hotel, even for one person.

The route usually takes 2 months, 3 at most. The Commission meets twice a month, and passports are issued 2-4 weeks after biometrics. Citizenship is for life, passes to children and can be held alongside another citizenship.

You can of course visit simply because the country interests you. That is your personal choice, not a condition of the program.

Where you can travel on this country's passport

A small country does not mean a short travel list. According to the index of 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.

Hong Kong is open for 90 days; Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines for 30. Moldova, Bosnia, Montenegro and Panama allow 90 days, and Peru 180. The Schengen area, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China require a visa in advance. The route to Europe runs through residence: with a Vanuatu passport you can apply for a Greek residence permit by buying a home.

What being a citizen of this country means

The biometric passport lasts 10 years for adults and 5 for children. An expired passport does not cancel citizenship. Dual citizenship is allowed and the status passes to children. There are limits too: citizens by investment do not vote or hold public office.

After the passport you can obtain domestic documents: an ID, certificates, an apostille, a driving licence and a tax number. If needed, you can also replace the passport or register a company in Vanuatu. In that sense the country becomes more than a point on the map: it is a working jurisdiction you are connected to through documents.

Where to start if the country suits you

If citizenship interests you, start by checking your situation, not by booking tickets. The preliminary check is free, takes 1-2 working days and happens before any contract. Afterwards you will know which option fits your family and what the final sum comes to.

Common questions