Vanuatu Citizenship by Donation: Cost and Timeline [2026] – Dual Citizenship, Passport and Japanese Nationality
![Vanuatu Citizenship by Donation: Cost and Timeline [2026] – Dual Citizenship, Passport and Japanese Nationality](https://royal-ptns.com/citizenship/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/vanuatu-citizenship-eyecatch.jpg)
Vanuatu citizenship is obtained by making a government-set donation under the Development Support Program (DSP). For a single applicant, the government donation is US$130,000, and the total cost through our office is US$139,800. The process takes about 3–4 months from application to approval, with no language test and no interview. However, applicants must visit a designated office (in Vanuatu, Hong Kong or elsewhere) once to register biometrics. Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, but Japanese nationals automatically lose Japanese nationality under Japan's Nationality Act when they acquire it.
*Amounts and rules are as of October 9, 2026. This article is an English version of our Japanese guide, adapted for foreign residents of Japan and international investors.
More on Vanuatu (in Japanese)
- Living in Vanuatu: safety, cost of living, tax and visas
- Vanuatu permanent residence: residence rights without changing nationality
Contents
- Summary: cost, timeline and impact on your nationality
- What is Vanuatu citizenship by donation?
- Cost: the government donation and the total cost
- Process and timeline: about 3–4 months
- Dual citizenship: allowed by Vanuatu, but not by Japan
- Passport: visa-free access to 86 destinations
- Risks to understand before applying
- Tax: no income tax or inheritance tax in Vanuatu
- FAQ
- Key points
Summary: cost, timeline and impact on your nationality
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | Development Support Program (DSP): citizenship by donation to the government |
| Government donation | From US$130,000 (single applicant) to US$180,000 (family of four) |
| Total cost through our office | From US$139,800 (single) to US$197,500 (family of four), including the fee of the government-authorized agent |
| Other costs | English translation and notarization of Japanese documents: approx. JPY 60,000–70,000 |
| Timeline | About 3–4 months (including the time needed to obtain a Japanese police clearance certificate) |
| Language test / interview | None |
| Travel | One trip to a designated office (Vanuatu, Hong Kong, etc.) to register biometrics |
| Residence requirement | None |
| Dual citizenship | Allowed by Vanuatu. However, Japanese nationals lose Japanese nationality upon acquisition, including minor children for whom parents apply |
| Passport | Visa-free access (including visa on arrival and eTA) to 86 destinations; ranked 58th on the Henley Passport Index (checked October 9, 2026). Visas are required for the Schengen Area, the UK and Japan |
Japanese nationals cannot legally hold a second passport alongside their Japanese one. For them, Vanuatu citizenship is only an option when there is a reason to hold another nationality even at the cost of giving up Japanese nationality. Foreign nationals living in Japan sometimes consider it as an alternative to the citizenship of their home country. If what you want is the right to live in Vanuatu long-term without changing nationality, permanent residence (residence visa) (in Japanese) is the option to consider instead.
What is Vanuatu citizenship by donation?
The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, east of Australia and west of Fiji. Its capital is Port Vila.
Vanuatu's citizenship by investment is based on an investor route created by the 2013 amendment of the Citizenship Act [CAP 112]. The main program today is the Development Support Program (DSP), governed by the Citizenship (Development Support Program) Regulations Order No. 33 of 2019. Applicants obtain citizenship by making a donation to the government; no investment in real estate or business is required.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Through a government-authorized agent approved by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission |
| Screening | Background check by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), covering criminal history and source of funds |
| Language / interview | None |
| Residence / travel requirements | No residence requirement after acquisition. One trip is required to register biometrics |
| Family | Spouse and children can apply at the same time |
The list of government-authorized agents is published on the Citizenship Commission's official website, together with a list of agents whose authorization has been revoked. Always check that the agent you use is on the current list.
Vanuatu also offers permanent residence (residence visas). If you want long-term residence rights without changing nationality, see Vanuatu permanent residence: costs and process (in Japanese).
Cost: the government donation and the total cost
Government donation
The donation amounts and fees for the Development Support Program, as published on the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission's official website:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | US$130,000 |
| Couple | US$150,000 |
| Couple + 1 child | US$165,000 |
| Couple + 2 children | US$180,000 |
| Each additional family member | US$10,000 |
| FIU background check fee | US$5,000 |
| Application fee | VUV 5,000 per person |
For a single applicant, the minimum paid to the government is US$135,000 (donation plus background check fee).
Total cost through our office (as of October 2026)
We quote an all-inclusive total that includes the government-authorized agent's fee. We do not charge any retainer or application deposit.
| Family | Total |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | US$139,800 |
| Couple | US$162,000 |
| Couple + 1 child | US$180,000 |
| Couple + 2 children | US$197,500 |
The donation and fees are paid in several installments according to the stage of the process, not all at once. We explain the payment schedule and breakdown when we prepare your quote.
In addition, English translation and notarization of Japanese documents submitted to the Citizenship Commission (such as family register extracts and police clearance certificates) costs approximately JPY 60,000–70,000. Because fees may change when Vanuatu amends its regulations, we confirm the latest amounts before you apply.
Applying as a family at the same time is cheaper
Donations are set per family unit, so applying together costs less. Applying for family members at different times results in a higher total. If your whole family intends to obtain citizenship, apply together from the start.
The donation cannot be paid directly to the government in cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. However, according to a local government-authorized agent (March 2025), there are private services that accept USDT (Tether) for a 2–5% fee and pay on your behalf after converting it into fiat currency. Claims that "Vanuatu citizenship can be bought with Bitcoin" date from around 2018 and are out of date.
Process and timeline: about 3–4 months
It takes about 3–4 months from application to obtaining citizenship. Figures such as "2 months" or "30 days" found online usually do not include the time needed to obtain a Japanese police clearance certificate.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Consultation and quote | We confirm your family composition and source of funds, and calculate the total cost |
| 2. Collect documents | Family register or residence records, police clearance certificate, bank balance certificate, copy of passport, etc. |
| 3. Translation and notarization | Japanese documents are translated into English and notarized at a notary office |
| 4. Application and screening | The government-authorized agent files with the Citizenship Commission, and the FIU conducts the background check |
| 5. Approval and donation payment | After approval by the Citizenship Commission, the donation is paid in installments |
| 6. Biometric registration | Photo and fingerprints are registered at a designated office |
| 7. Oath | The oath can be taken by recording and sending a video |
| 8. Receive certificate and passport |
A Japanese police clearance certificate is applied for at a prefectural police headquarters and takes time to issue. If you live outside Japan, you apply through a Japanese embassy or consulate, which takes longer. Our office also handles obtaining, translating and certifying Japanese documents through our certification and translation website (in Japanese).
Travel is now required for biometrics
From the COVID-19 pandemic onward, Vanuatu citizenship could be obtained without travelling at all. Now, however, biometric registration is required to issue a passport, and applicants must visit one of the following offices:
- Vanuatu (Port Vila)
- Hong Kong
- Dubai (UAE)
- New Caledonia
- Brussels (Belgium)
The closest to Japan is Hong Kong, where a registration office has opened at the Vanuatu consulate (Vanuatu Daily Post). For family applications, every family member must visit the office.
Dual citizenship: allowed by Vanuatu, but not by Japan
Vanuatu recognizes dual citizenship
Vanuatu recognized dual citizenship by amending Article 13 of its Constitution in 2013 (Constitution (Sixth)(Amendment) Act No. 27 of 2013, assented to on December 20, 2013; the Citizenship Commission states it took effect in 2014). Article 13(1) provides that "The Republic of Vanuatu recognises dual citizenship." The same amendment removed the provision in Article 10 under which Vanuatu citizenship was lost if other nationalities were not renounced within a set period.
Under Vanuatu law, therefore, you do not need to renounce your existing nationality to obtain citizenship.
Article 13(3) of the Constitution prohibits dual citizens from holding public office, joining political parties, and voting or standing in elections. Article 13(4) exempts indigenous and naturalized citizens from these restrictions; how this applies to citizens by donation should be confirmed case by case.
For Japanese nationals: Japanese nationality is lost on acquisition
The issue lies on the Japanese side. Article 11(1) of Japan's Nationality Act provides that a Japanese national who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Japanese nationality. Applying and paying a donation for Vanuatu citizenship counts as voluntary acquisition, so Japanese nationality is lost automatically at the moment Vanuatu citizenship is acquired. The same applies to minor children for whom parents apply. Obtaining citizenship for the whole family to "widen the children's options" in fact closes off their path to holding Japanese nationality.
"Vanuatu allows dual citizenship" describes Vanuatu's side only; a Japanese national cannot keep both nationalities.
| After acquisition (Japanese nationals) | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification of loss of nationality | Must be filed within 1 month of learning of the loss (3 months if abroad) (Family Register Act, Article 103) |
| Japanese passport | Becomes invalid when Japanese nationality is lost (Passport Act, Article 18(1)(i)) and can no longer be used |
| Continuing to live in Japan | A status of residence is required as a foreign national. You may stay without one for up to 60 days after losing nationality; to stay longer, you must apply for a status of residence within 30 days (Immigration Control Act, Article 22-2) |
| If abroad at the time of acquisition | You will enter Japan on a Vanuatu passport. Vanuatu nationals need a visa to enter Japan, and a status of residence must be arranged first if you intend to live there |
| Living in Japan afterwards | Biological children of Japanese nationals qualify for the "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status, and may later apply for permanent residence if requirements are met |
For details, see applying for permanent residence in Japan after losing Japanese nationality and countries that allow dual citizenship (both in Japanese). Our office can prepare the notification of loss of nationality and the application for a status of residence afterwards.
Passport: visa-free access to 86 destinations
Number of destinations and major countries requiring a visa
On the Henley Passport Index (checked October 9, 2026), the Vanuatu passport ranks 58th, with visa-free access (including visa on arrival and eTA) to 86 destinations. The Japanese passport ranks 2nd with 188. The index is updated regularly.
| Destination | Vanuatu passport | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen Area (most of the EU, etc.) | Visa required | Visa waiver fully suspended on February 4, 2023, and formally repealed on February 3, 2025 (Regulation (EU) 2025/11) |
| United Kingdom | Visa required | July 19, 2023 |
| Japan | Visa required | According to the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu (April 9, 2025), Vanuatu nationals need a visa |
| United States | Visa required (not part of the Visa Waiver Program/ESTA) | Not among the countries subject to the US entry restrictions effective January 1, 2026 |
Claims of "visa-free access to the Schengen Area" or "to more than 110 countries" are outdated information from before 2023. The EU partially suspended the visa waiver in 2022 and fully suspended it in 2023, citing insufficient screening of people who obtained citizenship by investment.
For a comparison with the Japanese passport, see visa-free countries for Japanese passport holders (in Japanese).
Passport validity and color
The passport is valid for 10 years, and the renewal fee is under US$50 per person. Passports issued to citizens by donation are the same green as those of other citizens. The yellow passport is an old type discontinued years ago, and the red one is for diplomats.
Risks to understand before applying
The rules change often
The conditions of Vanuatu's citizenship by investment have changed many times in recent years.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022–2025 | The EU partially suspended, then fully suspended, then repealed the visa waiver |
| March 2023 | The Minister of Justice appointed a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into corruption allegations involving the Citizenship Commission, including suspicions that citizenship had been granted to a wanted person (press reports) |
| July 2023 | A citizenship database management system was introduced to prevent abuse (press reports) |
| July 2023 | The UK withdrew visa-free access |
| 2025 | Biometric registration became mandatory for passport issuance, requiring travel |
| February 2026 | The Prime Minister's Office ordered implementation of the recommendations of the COI report concerning the Citizenship Commission |
Conditions may change while you are preparing your application, so the process must be carried out while checking the latest information.
For Japanese nationals: lost nationality does not come back
To regain Japanese nationality once lost, you must live in Japan as a foreign national and be granted naturalization. Former Japanese nationals with an address in Japan may be naturalized without meeting the usual requirements of five years' continuous residence, being 18 or older, and being able to support themselves (Nationality Act, Article 8(iii)). However, approval is at the discretion of the Minister of Justice and is not guaranteed. You cannot "try it and see", so consider your family's nationality, inheritance and plans for life in Japan before deciding.
Tax: no income tax or inheritance tax in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax. The main taxes are value-added tax (15%), tax on rental income and stamp duty (Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority).
However, obtaining Vanuatu citizenship does not remove your tax obligations elsewhere. Income tax is generally determined by where you live: as long as you are a resident of Japan, your worldwide income is subject to Japanese income tax. The scope of Japanese inheritance and gift tax depends on the recipient's address, nationality and whether they had an address in Japan in the past 10 years, as well as the address of the deceased or donor (Inheritance Tax Act, Articles 1-3 and 1-4). Changing nationality does not necessarily take you outside the scope of Japanese inheritance or gift tax.
If you move abroad, also be aware of Japan's exit tax. Individuals who hold securities worth JPY 100 million or more at the time of departure and who lived in Japan for more than 5 of the 10 years before departure are taxed on unrealized gains (National Tax Agency, Tax Answer No. 1478). See tax and resident registration when moving abroad (in Japanese).
FAQ
Can I obtain citizenship without living in Vanuatu?
Yes. There is no residence requirement before or after acquisition. However, you need to visit a designated office (in Vanuatu, Hong Kong, etc.) once to register biometrics. The citizenship oath can be taken by recording and sending a video, so no trip is needed for the oath.
Can I apply if I don't speak English well?
Yes. There is no language test or interview. Japanese documents are submitted in English translation, and our office handles translation and notarization together with the application.
Can my children and parents obtain citizenship with me?
Your spouse and children can apply at the same time. Donations are set per family: US$180,000 for a couple with two children, plus US$10,000 for each additional person. Age limits for children and whether parents or other relatives can be included depend on your family composition, so please consult us. Note that minor children of Japanese nationality also lose it upon acquisition.
Is Vanuatu safe?
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued any risk level for Vanuatu (checked October 9, 2026). If you plan to stay there, check the latest travel advice from your own government. For daily life in Vanuatu, see living in Vanuatu: safety, cost of living, tax and visas (in Japanese).
Can I open a bank account in Vanuatu?
Vanuatu has branches of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and the French bank BRED (as confirmed by our office in February 2025), as well as local banks. Our office also supports opening bank accounts in Hong Kong (how to open a bank account in Hong Kong).
Can foreign nationals living in Japan apply?
Yes. However, if your current country of nationality does not allow dual citizenship, you may lose your original nationality when you acquire Vanuatu citizenship, so check your home country's law first. Mid- to long-term residents of Japan must notify the Immigration Services Agency of the change to the information on their residence card within 14 days of the change of nationality (Immigration Control Act, Article 19-10). Your status of residence itself continues after the change of nationality.
Can a former Japanese national keep living in Japan?
Yes, with a status of residence. Biological children of Japanese nationals qualify for the "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status, and may later apply for permanent residence if they meet the requirements. Our office also handles status of residence applications.
Key points
- Vanuatu citizenship is obtained by a donation to the government: US$130,000 for a single applicant. The total cost through our office starts at US$139,800
- About 3–4 months from application to acquisition. No language test, interview or residence requirement, but one visit to a designated office for biometrics
- Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, but Japanese nationals (including minor children) lose Japanese nationality upon acquisition; a notification of loss of nationality and, if living in Japan, a status of residence are required
- Visa-free access (including visa on arrival and eTA) to 86 destinations; visas are required for the Schengen Area, the UK and Japan
- The rules change often, so proceed while checking the latest conditions
Our office has helped clients with assets in the billions of yen obtain Vanuatu citizenship. We handle communication with the local government-authorized agent, collection, translation and notarization of Japanese documents, and, after acquisition, the notification of loss of nationality and status of residence applications. As Certified Administrative Scriveners, we are bound by a legal duty of confidentiality, and we never use pushy sales tactics. We can assist in English and Japanese.
- Vanuatu citizenship support: fees and FAQ (in Japanese)
- Our services and consultation process (in Japanese)
- Free consultation form
- Phone: +81-3-6303-1664 (weekdays 9:00–20:00 Japan time)
- Email: info@royal-ptns.com
Related (in Japanese): how much residency and citizenship cost by country / permanent residence vs. citizenship vs. visa vs. tax residence
Sources (primary information)
- Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, "Fees and Charges" (checked October 9, 2026; page undated) https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/index.php/citizenship/fees-and-charges
- Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, "Legislative Framework" (including Citizenship (Development Support Program) Regulations Order No. 33 of 2019) https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/index.php/about-us/legislative-framework
- Constitution (Sixth)(Amendment) Act No. 27 of 2013 (PacLII) https://pacliirms.austlii.edu.au/vu/legis/num_act/ca2013343
- Citizenship (Amendment) Act No. 39 of 2013 (PacLII) https://pacliirms.austlii.edu.au/vu/legis/num_act/ca2013228
- Japan's Nationality Act Articles 8 and 11, Family Register Act Article 103, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Articles 19-10 and 22-2, Inheritance Tax Act Article 1-3 (e-Gov, checked October 9, 2026)
- National Tax Agency, Tax Answer No. 1478 (laws as of April 1, 2026) https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/taxanswer/shotoku/1478.htm
- Council Implementing Decisions (EU) 2022/366 (partial suspension) and (EU) 2022/2198 (full suspension from February 4, 2023)
- Regulation (EU) 2025/11 (December 19, 2024; in force February 3, 2025) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/11/oj
- UK Parliament, Written Statement HCWS979 (July 19, 2023) https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-07-19/hcws979
- Henley Passport Index 2026 ranking (checked October 9, 2026) https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking
- Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu, "Visiting Japan" (April 9, 2025) https://www.vu.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visiting_japan.html
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety: Vanuatu (risk information, checked October 9, 2026) https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcinfectionspothazardinfo_078.html
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Basic Safety Data: Vanuatu (updated February 9, 2026) https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcsafetymeasure_078.html
- Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority, "Low Tax Jurisdiction" https://investvanuatu.vu/untapped-potential/low-tax-jurisdiction/
- Office of the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, press release "COI Report and Recommendations" (February 6, 2026) https://pmo.gov.vu/en/public-information/press-release/1150-coi-report-and-recommendations.html
- Vanuatu Daily Post (March 22, 2023: appointment of the Commission of Inquiry; July 6, 2023: introduction of the citizenship database management system)
- Vanuatu Daily Post, "Vanuatu opens Immigration Enrolment System office in Hong Kong" https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-opens-immigration-enrolment-system-office-in-hong-kong/article_d2b047d4-3e18-5327-9064-5fdfd9b84c05.html
Amounts and rules in this article are as of October 9, 2026.
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