Official Fees and Where They Go

Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment Program has a simple headline price: a non-refundable USD 130,000 contribution for a single applicant. But that’s not the full story. You also have a mandatory USD 5,000 due diligence fee, and that's just the start. These government-mandated costs climb for families and are entirely separate from your agent's processing fees. This article cuts through the noise, providing a detailed map of all significant government fees in Vanuatu—from citizenship and residency to business registration and taxes—so you understand the true investment required.

We'll give you a comprehensive breakdown of the costs involved in Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment Program. Here, we cover the specific numbers, the legal framework under the Citizenship Act [CAP 112] that locks them in, and the practical steps for navigating the application with a required designated agent. Knowing these non-negotiable government fees is the first step. It's the only way to make an informed decision about one of the world's fastest citizenship programs.

What Are the Core Costs of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program?

The main path to a Vanuatu passport is through its Development Support Program (DSP). At its heart, the cost is a one-time, non-refundable donation made directly to a government fund. These fees aren't arbitrary; they are officially gazetted and managed by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office. It’s crucial to remember these are the minimum government-mandated costs. They do not include the separate professional fees your designated agent will charge for preparing and submitting your file.

A make-or-break part of the process is the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) due diligence fee. This USD 5,000 fee is non-refundable and paid right at the start. It allows the government to run deep background checks on you and your family. They verify your identity, your source of funds, and—most importantly—confirm a clean criminal record. A failed FIU check means the application stops dead, and your initial $5,000 is gone. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

How much does Vanuatu citizenship cost for a single applicant?

For an individual applying alone, the required minimum contribution to the Development Support Program is USD 130,000. This large sum is only payable *after* your application has been pre-approved by the Citizenship Commission. Before that, you must pay the USD 5,000 FIU due diligence fee to even begin the process, bringing the total base government cost to USD 135,000.

What are the fees for a family of three?

A family with a main applicant, a spouse, and one dependent child (under 18) must make a government contribution of USD 165,000. Add the standard USD 5,000 due diligence fee, and the total government cost for a family of three lands at USD 170,000.

What are the fees for a family of four?

For a family of four—a main applicant, spouse, and two dependent children—the required contribution is USD 180,000. Including the USD 5,000 due diligence charge, the total government fees come to USD 185,000. Each additional dependent, like an elderly parent or another child, typically adds a further contribution to this total.

Applicant Profile	Government Contribution (USD)	FIU Due Diligence Fee (USD)	Total Minimum Government Cost (USD)
Single Applicant	$130,000	$5,000	$135,000
Married Couple	$150,000	$5,000	$155,000
Family of 3 (Couple + 1 Child)	$165,000	$5,000	$170,000
Family of 4 (Couple + 2 Children)	$180,000	$5,000	$185,000
Additional Dependent (e.g. parent over 50 or child)	+$15,000 (Typically)	-	+$15,000

Takeaway: The Vanuatu DSP uses a tiered pricing model that is most cost-effective for single applicants. For larger families, however, the cost-per-person drops significantly, offering better value.

What Other Investment Options and Fees Are Involved?

While the direct contribution is the most common path, Vanuatu has explored other investment routes. No matter which you choose, you must prove financial solvency to the government. This often means showing evidence of significant net assets, reassuring officials that you can support yourself and that the investment funds aren't your entire life savings. Critically, all official payments to the Vanuatu government for citizenship must be made in US Dollars.

The CNO Future Fund Option

This option also involves a non-refundable contribution, and its fee structure is very similar to the standard DSP. The only real difference is how the government internally earmarks the money for specific long-term national projects. For you, the applicant, the direct government fees are practically identical.

The Cocoa Sustainable Development Fund Option

A newer track involves investing in a government-approved real estate or agricultural project, usually tied to the cocoa industry. This option has a completely different fee structure. It might mix a redeemable investment with a non-refundable contribution. Investors must scrutinize the terms carefully. Why? The "investment" part might only be redeemable after a mandatory holding period of several years, and not always in full. You still have to pay additional government and due diligence fees on top of the investment

Is Vanuatu citizenship worth it?

That depends entirely on your goals. For some, it's a powerful asset. You gain visa-free travel to around 88 countries, a favourable tax environment, and access to one of the fastest citizenship programmes in the world. It remains a solid tool for global mobility and personal security, even with the recent, much-publicized changes to its visa-free access to the EU and UK.

What is Vanuatu visa price?

There isn't a single "Vanuatu visa price." For many tourists, visiting for up to 30 days is completely free on arrival. But if you need a pre-arranged visa for a longer stay or specific purposes like business or study, the costs are different. Expect to pay anywhere from USD 50 to USD 250, a range that reflects the specific visa type and where you file your application.