Destinations
Vanuatu
Vanuatu runs the fastest citizenship-by-investment programme — approvals in about one to two months, fully remote, from a donation around 130,000 USD. Its trade-off is decisive and must be stated plainly: the passport has lost visa-free access to the EU Schengen area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, so its travel value is a fraction of what agents still advertise.
Key facts
- From
- $130 000≈ $173 550 — estimated total, family of four, fees included
- Processing time
- 1–2 months
- Physical presence
- None. No visit, residence or interview is required before or after grant — the process is fully remote.
Tax at a glance
- No personal income tax at all — a genuine zero-income-tax jurisdiction
- No corporate income tax on company profits
- No capital gains, inheritance, estate or wealth tax
- Government revenue rests on VAT (15%) and import duties
- Citizenship does not by itself make you tax-resident
Frequently asked questions
Is Vanuatu really tax-free?
For personal and corporate income, yes — Vanuatu levies no income tax, no capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax. The state raises revenue mainly through a 15% VAT and import duties, so consumption is taxed even though income is not.
Can I travel visa-free to Europe with a Vanuatu passport?
No longer. The EU suspended visa-free Schengen access for Vanuatu passport holders, Switzerland has required a visa since 4 February 2025, and the United Kingdom also requires one. This is the single most important limitation to weigh.
How fast is the Vanuatu programme?
It is widely regarded as the fastest citizenship-by-investment programme, with approvals commonly reported in about one to two months, and no visit, residence or interview required.