Vanuatu Passport

The main purpose of Vanuatu citizenship is to be able to enter different countries without a visa. Citizens of the country have the right to enter about 100 countries. You can go on holiday, arrange business meetings without a visa. This option is optimal for those who need a 2nd citizenship. The opportunity to issue a passport of the country for investors was launched in 2015. For all the time that the programme has been running, more than 2.6 thousand documents have been issued.

Often the document is obtained to do business in the global market, to reduce taxes. The passport also allows becoming a client of European banking organisations. In addition, holders of the document can study in English universities.

Overview

Vanuatu is an independent nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of 83 islands of varying sizes, of which only a few are permanently inhabited. The capital is Port Vila. Vanuatu is one of the youngest nations in the world, having gained independence from France and the United Kingdom in 1980. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, hot springs and a number of other tourist attractions.

Vanuatu has a tropical climate, with the rainy season lasting from November to April and the dry season from May to October. Humidity is quite high, especially during the rainy season. Temperatures throughout the year usually range between +25°C and +30°C.

Rainfall can vary considerably from region to region and season to season, but overall rainfall is high. Vanuatu is prone to regular cyclones between December and April, which can cause flooding and other emergencies.

Basic Information

The document specifies the surname, first name, date, month and year of birth, sex. In addition, the passport has a photo, indicates the period of validity. It is possible to emphasise such advantages of the document:

• fast processing – the document can be made in 30 days;
• possibility to travel to different countries in a visa-free regime – you can visit more than 90 countries;
• reduced tax burden – there is no need to pay taxes on capital increase, inherited property, gifts, income that was received outside the borders of Vanuatu;
• excellent backup option – the country is perfect for relocation if there are shocks related to economy, politics in a person’s home country;
• citizenship for all relatives – the applicant’s family can also acquire citizenship of the country;
• no real estate requirements – even those who live outside the state can obtain the document.

In 2022-2024, citizens of Russia and Belarus faced increasing restrictions in different states. There are countries that banned entry of Russians and Belarusians, threatened to take away property, block accounts, made visa processing more difficult. Vanuatu citizenship has become a great option for Russians and Belarusians who are constantly outside their home countries.

Rating Of The Country’s Passport

The document is in the rating on the 58th place. The passport is evaluated by the number of states that can be entered visa-free. Citizens of Vanuatu can visit 91 states without a visa. A visa is required to visit 107 States. States that can be visited visa-free are:

• Belize;
• Dominica;
• Singapore;
• Hong Kong;
• Israel and others.

Some countries require an electronic visa or a visa on arrival.

Taxes And Benefits For Organizations

Citizens of the country do not pay taxes on capital growth, exports, and inherited property.

Organizations that are registered in the state do not pay tax for the first 20 years.

However, they have to pay $300 annually. At the same time, the companies’ profits must come from abroad.

Taxation Laws

1. Corporate Tax:
   Vanuatu does not levy corporate income tax.
2. Personal Income Tax:
   Vanuatu does not impose personal income tax on residents or non-residents.
3. Value Added Tax (VAT):
   The standard VAT rate is 15%.
   Certain goods and services may be zero-rated or exempt from VAT.
4. Withholding Tax:
   Vanuatu does not impose withholding tax on dividends, interest, or royalties paid to non-residents.
5. Property Tax:
   There is no property tax in Vanuatu. However, leasehold land rents are payable.
6. Import Duties:
   Import duties vary depending on the type of goods but generally range from 0% to 50%.

Business Incentives

1. Investment Incentives:
   The Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) offers incentives to attract foreign investment, including simplified procedures for business registration and investment approval.
2. Tax Exemptions:
   Vanuatu offers tax exemptions for certain industries and activities to encourage investment, particularly in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.
3. Economic Citizenship Program:
   Vanuatu has a Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) that allows investors to obtain citizenship through a significant investment in the country, typically by making a donation to the Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP).
4. Free Trade Zones:
   Vanuatu has designated free trade zones where businesses can operate with benefits such as exemptions from customs duties and other taxes.
5. Tourism Incentives:
   The government offers various incentives to boost the tourism sector, including duty-free imports of equipment and materials for tourism-related projects.
6. Export Incentives:
   Businesses involved in export activities can benefit from duty-free imports of raw materials, machinery, and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

Regulatory Environment

1. Ease of Doing Business:
   Vanuatu has made efforts to simplify the process of starting and operating a business, including streamlined procedures for business registration and obtaining necessary permits.
2. Investment Promotion:
   The Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) is responsible for promoting and facilitating investment in Vanuatu. They provide support services to investors, including assistance with permits and licenses.

Summary

Vanuatu offers a highly favorable tax environment with no corporate or personal income tax, no withholding tax, and no property tax. The country provides various incentives to attract foreign investment, particularly in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. The Citizenship by Investment Program is a significant draw for foreign investors seeking dual citizenship. The regulatory environment is supportive of business operations, with efforts made to streamline procedures and facilitate investment.

How To Apply

To become a participant in one of the country’s investor programmes, you must take advantage of one of the following programmes:

1. Cocoa Segment Development. The exact investment required is based on the number of applicants for citizenship.
2. Vanuatu Citizenship Development. The applicant must pay between $130,000 and $150,000.

Vanuatu Contribution Program (PR)

There’s a third program in Vanuatu which is the Contribution Program.

Vanuatu Permanent Residency is the fastest PR program in the world. Within one week, you can have PR from a Commonwealth Country with a 100% success rate. No need to visit or stay in Vanuatu, explain your income, or meet language requirements. All application documents only need scanned copies.

Eligibility:

• Must be over 18
• Must have a police clearance
• Must have assets

Permanent Residency Fees:

• Single Applicant: $5,500
• Family: $7,500
• Additional Child (under 18): $1,500 per person

Benefits:

• Provides a pathway to citizenship after maintaining residency
• Access to Vanuatu’s tax benefits, including no income, inheritance, or capital gains taxes

Citizenship Of Vanuatu

The main pros of being a citizen of the country are as follows:

• One can easily and quickly acquire 2nd citizenship. It will not be necessary to pass examinations, interviews, arrive in the country. The document can be issued in a month. The same Caribbean States issue a passport in six months.
• The opportunity to safely invest money. You need to invest money only after the passport application is approved by the commission. You only have to pay in advance for a security check with the Department of Finance. The amount of payment is 5.5 thousand dollars.
• Profitability, the possibility of returning the invested money. Having invested funds in coconut oil production, you can get about 5% per annum.
• Registration of a European residence permit. Citizens of Vanuatu have the right to obtain a European residence permit, even if the EU country does not approve applications from citizens of the native state of the investor. For example, in Greece, having a passport of Vanuatu, it is possible to acquire the status of a resident for 60 months.
• Second citizenship for close relatives. With a Vanuatu passport, one can secure citizenship for a husband or wife, children, mother and father.
• No need to cancel the original citizenship. No need to renounce previous citizenship if the applicant’s home country allows this option.
• Ability to visit Asian countries without a visa. This applies to those states that are considered business centres of the Asian region.
• The ability to apply for a U.S. visa for a long period of time. Having a passport of the country, it is possible to issue a document that allows you to stay in America for up to 6 months.
• Reduction of taxes. It is possible to register in the country your firm, working on the world market, and not to pay tax fees for 20 years.
• A great fallback option. Citizens of the country can come to Vanuatu, other states in a visa-free regime. This is important if there is instability in the country.

A large number of pluses explain why Vanuatu citizenship is so popular.

Drawing Up A Document

First of all, it is necessary to prepare the required documents. You Will be required:

• A photocopy of the passport. All information must be clearly legible. The period of validity of the passport should not expire.
• A photocopy of the birth certificate. The document allows you to confirm your identity, citizenship.
• Medical certificate. The document is necessary to confirm normal health.
• Reference on the absence of a criminal record. The certificate is necessary to pass a security check.

Further it is necessary to determine the authorized agent. He will be the representative of your interests during the passport issuance. You will need to make an application for citizenship. Add the necessary documents to the application. Pay the state duty, the amount of which depends on your status and other factors. At the end it remains to send the application.

The period of time during which the application will be processed depends on various factors. These include the current workload of the immigration service and the truthfulness of the information provided in the application.

Usually the application is considered for several months. You can find out the exact time frame by contacting an agent or the immigration service.

Requirements For Applicants

Before you apply for a passport, you need to make sure that you meet the applicable requirements. The key ones are as follows:

• Age at least 18 years old. Those who are under the age of majority cannot apply for a passport on their own. However, it is possible to process the application with the minor’s representatives.
• Normal health. It will be necessary to prepare medical certificates or undergo a medical examination to confirm the condition of the body.
• Absence of a criminal record. The candidate must have a good reputation, do not commit crimes in the past, do not have debts.

Renewal Of The Passport

To extend the passport, you will need to prepare the following:

• Application for prolongation;
• Existing passport;
• Two passport size photos;
• An identity document;
• A document confirming citizenship;
• A document confirming the change of name, if such a procedure has been performed;
• A receipt confirming that the state duty for prolongation has been paid.

The Passport is valid for 120 months. Citizens do not need to come to the country for prolongation. You can make an application and submit the requested documents at any consular office of the state or through your own agent. The application must be completed with accurate information.

The Passport will be renewed within 30 days. The price of prolongation for an adult citizen is 900 USD. This does not include postage, translation into the required language, and other additional fees. It is best to start prolonging the document 90 days before it ceases to be valid.