Before being considered for Vanuatu Citizenship your background will be checked to ensure you are of high standing in your community and that you have no past criminal convictions. The non-refundable Government and Legal fees for Stage 1 are US$7,500. Once formal application is made to the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission and the fees are paid, the Commission is legally obligated to give its response within 96 hours.

Once the Financial Intelligence Unit issues its written approval, application may be made for Vanuatu Citizenship. Upon receipt of your application for Citizenship, the Vanuatu Citizenship Office will check the application and supporting documents for compliance and receipt the fees. The application will then be submitted to the Screening Committee for screening, which sits twice a month. The Screening Committee will also check the application and supporting documents for compliance and if in order submit the application to the Citizenship Commission for its consideration. The Citizenship Commission sits twice a month and its Secretary General is legally obligated to give written advice of the Commission’s decision within 24 hours.

Once the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission issues its written approval, application must be made for a Vanuatu Passport within 3 months. Upon receipt of your application and payment of the required fees, the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Service will issue your Passport. However, your Passport and Citizenship Certificate will not be handed over to you until you complete your Citizenship Ceremony.

Once your passport has been approved. Arrangements will be made to hold your Citizenship Ceremony, normally in a place convenient to you, with the appropriate Passport Officer and Commissioner of Oaths performing the required ceremony. However, because of the COVID-19 travel and quarantine restrictions you can now complete your Citizenship Ceremony by Video Conference.