FAST TRACK CITIZENSHIP
VANUATUCAPITAL INVESTMENT IMMIGRATION PLAN
Governmentof Vanuatu
VanuatuRegistry Services
Vanuatu InvestmentPromotion Authority
Vanuatu FinancialServices Commission
LOCATION
South Pacific
Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific tothe East of Australia, is known as adream paradise. It has been nominated“Happiest Country in the World” by theNew Economics Foundation of Britainin its Happy Planet Index in 2006,2010, 2013 and 2014
The Republic of Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides under acondominium English/French rule) became independent onJuly 30, 1980. It has a land area of 12,000 square kilometresand a water area of 848,000 square kilometres. Thepopulation is approximately 280,000 and its national motto is“Before God we stand tall”. It is a peaceful country whoselocal people are Melanesian. The main languages are English,French and Bislama and 84% of the people are Christian.
Vanuatu comprises 83 islands, 68 of which are populated. Thelargest island, Espiritu Santo Island (often called simply “Santo”), has an area of 3,947 square kilometres. Vanuatuenjoys a tropical marine climate. The average temperature ofthe capital, Port Vila is 23.5°C.
‘Ni Vanuatu’ (indigenous Vanuatu) mainly work in agriculture– the crops can meet the needs of 65% of the people.Fisheries and livestock are also key economic activities. Tourismis very important in Vanuatu and currently forms the basicincome of the Government.
FINANCIAL CENTRE AND TAXThe people of Vanuatu have long been aware of the country's potential and have been seeking to attract foreign investment thatwould enable them to develop the required infrastructure to enhance the country's reputation as a developing offshore financialcentre and realize its potential as an exotic tourist attraction.
Vanuatu has long been a favourite of investors as it offers numerous benefits for international investors and entrepreneurs. Amongothers, there are no income taxes, no capital gains tax, no death duties, no withholding tax and low labour costs while the facilitiesand expertise are world standard.
There are very few unspoiled, virgin territories left on Earth, that warrant the term "Paradise" and that have not already beencommercialized. One such place is Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean where, until recently, its inhabitants livedas their forefathers did, virtually unaffected by western culture.
Vanuatu is a republic and a parliamentary democracy, characterized byreligious tolerance, with an independent legal system modelled on BritishCommon Law. It is located to the East of Northern Australia and NorthWest of New Zealand in an area of the Pacific known as "The ParadiseTriangle" where its 83 islands extend over an area of 12,000 squarekilometres.. Vanuatu’s beauty, its abundance of fresh water, fish, tropicalforests, volcanoes and breath taking scenery, as well as its small airports,marinas, yacht clubs and hotels, make it an outstanding tourist destination.
It is a particularly popular destination for scuba divers – the sunken SSPresident Coolidge is the main attraction, a massive luxury liner convertedto a troop carrier for the war effort which was sunk in 1942. Because theship went down within mere meters of shore, novice divers can enjoy thisspectacle alongside more experienced ones.
REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
Happiest Place on Earth
The Capital Investment Immigration Plan(CIIP) was initially proposed by VRS in early2012 and fully adopted by the
Government of Vanuatu in April 2014. the objective of thePlan is to create local jobs, stimulate the economy and keepthe national budget balanced.
To facilitate and attract overseas investors, Vanuatu haspassed and enacted all necessary legislation and regulations,even going so far as to change its Constitution to recognisedual citizenship, which was not recognised until theConstitution was changed by a two-thirds majority ofParliament in December 2012.
VANUATU’S CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMME
Introduction
RESTRICTIONS ON DUAL NATIONALSHolders of dual nationality in Vanuatu may not engage in anyof the following activities which would forfeit their citizenship:
• Hold or serve in any public office.
• Be involved in Vanuatu politics.
• Fund activities that would cause political instability inVanuatu.
• Affiliate with or form any political parties in Vanuatu.
• Stand as a candidate or vote at any of the followingelections:
• General election for Members to Parliament.
• Provincial election for members to a Provincial GovernmentCouncil.
• Municipal election for members to a Municipal Council.
In 2012, Vanuatu Registry Services Ltd(VRS), a Hong Kong company that isDeputy Commissioner of the VanuatuFinancial Services Commission (VFSC),was appointed as the exclusive operator
and distributor of Vanuatu’s Capital InvestmentImmigration Plan (CIIP), an investment for immigrationprogramme offering Vanuatu economic citizenship.
CIIP FEATURES• CIIP citizenship is full Vanuatu citizenship, not some other
class such as “economic citizenship”.
• But holders of dual nationality are subject to certainrestrictions (see right).
• The successful application covers the whole family, includingthe spouse and children under 18. (Additional fees may becharged for more than 1 child in the application).
• It is anticipated that “family” will be extended to includeunmarried children over 18 who are full-time studentsand parents over 65 in each case if they are resident withand dependent upon the applicant.
• Short period of required residence which can beundertaken after citizenship has been acquired.
• No restrictions on education, background, language, ageor business.
• No taxation except on land, share transfers, VAT onbusiness done locally and import duties on goodsimported for local business.
• Low investment threshold..
• Visa-free/visa-on-arrival to 97 countries today with 26EU/Schengen countries to be added in March 2015 with4 more to be added later.
The EuropeanUnion (EU) hasapproved ofallowing passport
holders from 22 non-European Union countriesincluding Vanuatu to travel to theEU without needing an entry visa.
VANUATU’S CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMMEREQUIREMENTS
• Applicants must be over the age of 18 when submittingtheir application.
• Applicants should have no less than $260,000 dollars ofnet personal assets when submitting their application.
• Within one month after the application has beenapproved in principle, the applicant should deposit thefull fee of US$260,000 with Vanuatu Registry Services(VRS), Deputy Commissioner of the Vanuatu FinancialServices Commission.
• Applicants must submit an original certificate of nocriminal record from the jurisdiction in which he/she hasresided during the last 12 months and (if different) thejurisdiction of his/her principal nationality.
• Applicants should provide evidence that they are solventand financially able to maintain themselves and theirdependents without depending on income from anyemployment or business arranged in Vanuatu.
THE PROCESS
Applicant completes application form set and requiredsupporting documents as described above and submits to hisauthorised CIIP consultant/agent.
• The application form set comprises:
• Application for residence for applicant, spouse (if thespouse so elects) and named dependants;
• Application for citizenship for the above
• Separate applications for passports for applicant, spouseand each dependant
• Agreement with VRS for provision of Vanuatu internationalcompany and its maintenance for 7 years at VRS expense.
• The CIIP agent submits the documents to the Hong KongOffice of VRS which vets them, provides the Vanuatuinternational company and submits to the VanuatuGovernment for processing by the Citizenship Commissionand Immigration Services.
• Following satisfactory inspection of the documents andcompletion of any necessary checks, an officer of theCitizenship commission and Immigration Services issuesApproval in Principle.
• Within one month of receiving Approval in Principle, theapplicant must deposit $260,000 with VRS in Hong Kong.For maximum speed, applicants should submit all theirdocuments to VRS and pay the money during the first weekof the month (2 weeks before the approval meeting).
Requirements
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CIIP APPLICATION
• Passports of all applicants (including the spouse and alldependants included in the application).
• Identity card of each person included in the application(where issued by the jurisdiction of nationality orresidence)
• Household register (戶口for Chinese applicants), whereavailable
• Marriage certificate of applicant and spouse, if spouse isincluded in application.
• Curriculum vitae of applicant.
• Original certificate of no criminal record for applicant,spouse and any permitted dependant over 18 years ofage, dated no earlier than 6 months before submissionof the application.
• Birth certificate of each child included in the application.
• A high definition passport photo of each person includedin the application (40mm x 50mm, white background)
• Proof of assets owned by the applicant to a value of morethan US$260,000
VANUATU REGISTRY SERVICES LTD.
Vanuatu Registry Services Ltd (VRS) is a HongKong company formed for the expresspurpose of promoting the offshore presenceof the Republic of Vanuatu. In 2008, VRS was
appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Vanuatu FinancialServices Commission (VFSC).
As Deputy Commissioner, VRS is a direct representative of theGovernment of Vanuatu and is vested with authority to affixand witness the Commission's official seal to Certificates ofIncorporation, Constitutions and Certificates of Incumbency andGood Standing in relation to companies incorporated under theInternational Companies Act and to designate employees to actas Authorized Officers for the purpose.
In 2012, VRS was appointed the exclusive worldwideoperator and distributor of the Capital InvestmentImmigration Plan (CIIP). Qualified investors can be grantedcitizenship of Vanuatu and travel visa-free or with preferredvisa-on-arrival terms to 97 countries (123 in March 2015).
VANUATU NATIONAL INVESTMENTIMMIGRATION LTD.
In 2014, VRS appointed Vanuatu National InvestmentImmigration Ltd as Master Agent for the marketing of CIIP, aBVI company with a Hong Kong subsidiary and operation andstrong relations in the People’s Republic of China.
OFF ICIAL APPOINTMENTS
Freedom to Travel
Vanuatu Registry Services Ltd.
1609-1610 Concordia Plaza, 1 Science Museum Road,
Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
EXCLUSIVE OPERATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR
Vanuatu National Investment Immigration Ltd.
1608 Concordia Plaza, 1 Science Museum Road,
Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL MASTER AGENT
• The Citizenship Commission’s Screening Committee willthen review and submit to the Citizenship Commission forfinal approval at its next meeting, usually in the third weekof each month. The applicant can expect to get theCitizenship Certificate, passport and residence card within2 weeks from the meeting (first week of the next month).Thereafore we offer a turn around time of one month but,if you fail to get your docs in at the right time, you mayhave to wait till the next meeting, creating a turn aroundtime of a maximum of 7 weeks. Ask for more information.
• The Commission may approve or reject any application inits discretion but, upon refusal, the applicant’s deposit willbe refunded in full less processing fees of US$25,000. Todate no application that has received approval in principlehas been rejected by the Commission.
• Upon final approval by the Citizenship commission, theapplicant, spouse and each dependant must attend a
meeting in Vanuatu or Hong Kong to swear anOath/Affirmation of Allegiance and provide thumb printsin the presence of an officer of the Citizenship Commissionor Government Minister.
• At that meeting or within one week thereafter the applicant,spouse and each dependant will be presented theirCertificates of Citizenship, passports and residence cards.
• All sums paid for the application must be paid to VRS toits account at HSBC by cheque or SWIFT remittance. Cashwill not be accepted.
• The above fees do not include ancillary services such astranslation, editing, notarization, bank charges, financialservice, medical check, legal, accounting and valuationfees, travel and accommodation or other similar outgoings.
• The average time for an application to be processed fromsubmission of application to grant is one month.
THE PROCESS (CONTINUED)
VANUATU’S CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMME
CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT - COMPARATIVE TABLE OF COST AND BENEFITS
Country
St Kitts& Nevis
Antigua &Barbuda
Dominica
Grenada
Vanuatu
IndividualPrice
Visa-free Travel
Now With EU
$257,000 128 153
134 159
67 92
86 111
97 122
$257,000
$100,000
$350,000
$260,000
With 3Dependants
$315,000
$317,000
$200,000
$350,000
ResidenceRequired
0
5 days
within
5 years
0
0
Aggregate30 days
in 3 yearsamongst
family
With 5Dependants
$365,000
$390,000
$400,000
$350,000
Remarks
Long distance for Chinese applicants and
travelling there requires a US Visa.
Visa-free to Canada.
Limited time citizenship.
Long distance for Chinese applicants and
travelling there requires a US Visa.
Must speak English.
Long distance for Chinese applicants and
travelling there requires a US Visa.
Long distance for Chinese applicants and
travelling there requires a US Visa.
Offshore Bank account included - no set-up charges.Offshore Company provided free for 7 years.
Passport can be issued in Hong Kong or in Vanuatu.Stable and peaceful country. Very low crime rate.
No corporation, capital gains, inheritance, death or income taxes.
Over AgeLimit
$50,000
$50,000
0
0
MaxAge
25
25
18
25
-
AgeLimit
18
18
18
25
-
Parent
65
65
N/A
65
N/A
DeliverySpeed
3 - 5
Months
2 - 3
Months
3 - 4
Months
3 - 5
Months
1 - 2
Months
$260,000 for applicant includingALL children under 18
Add $20,000 for each child over 18Add $30,000 for dependants (see notes below)
Vanuatu Notes: 1. Single Applicant only $260,000. 2. Applicant spouse and all children under 18 - No extra cost. 3. Each child over 18 of either Applicant or Spouse (Full-time student, resident with and dependant upon applicant or spouse) - Add $20,000 per child.4. Father and/or Mother of the Applicant; Grandfather and/or Grandmother of the Applicant; Father and/or Mother of the Spouse; Grandfather and/or Grandmother of the Spouse
(Over 65 years of age. Resident with and dependant upon Applicant or Spouse) - Add $30,000 per couple or survivor.
VANUATU PASSPORT GENERAL VISA INFORMATION
Country Visa requirement Duration Condition of access
Abkhazia No
Antigua and Barbuda No 30 days
Andorra No 90 days Though a SCHENGEN visa is needed to access Andorra
as it is land-locked between France and Spain.
Anguilla No 90 days
Austria No 120-days Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Azerbaijan No 30 days Visa issued upon arrival for USD 100
Bahamas No 90 days
Barbados No 90 days
Bangladesh No 90-days Visa issued upon arrival for USD 50
Belarus No Visa issued upon arrival at Minsk International Airport
since there is no Belarusian mission in Vanuatu
Belgium No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Belize No 30 days
Bermuda No
Bolivia No Visa issued upon arrival for BOP 360 (USD 51.00)
Botswana No 90 days
British Virgin Islands No
Burundi No Visa issued upon arrival since there is no Burundian
mission in Vanuatu
Cambodia No 30-days Visa issued upon arrival for USD 20/USD 25
Cape Verde No Visa issued upon arrival since there is no Cap Verdean
mission in Vanuatu
Cayman Islands No 30 days
Columbia No Tourist visa
Cook Islands No
Comoros No Visa issued upon arrival
Costa Rica No 30 days
Czech Republic No* *Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Denmark No* *Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Djibouti No One month visa can be obtained upon arrival for
DJFS 5000 with onward ticket
Dominica No 6 months
Dominican Republic No 30 days Tourist Card issued upon arrival for USD10.00
Ecuador No 90 days
El Salvador No 3 months Tourist Card must be purchased on arrival for USD 10.00
LIST OF COUNTRIES VISA FREE OR STAMPED ON ARRIVAL
123 Countries
VANUATU PASSPORT GENERAL VISA INFORMATION
Eritrea No One month Visa issued on arrival if requested by sponsor at
least 48 hrs before arrival with a passport photo
Estonia No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Federated States
of Micronesia No 30 days
Fiji Island No 4 months
Finland No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
France No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Gambia No Visa issue upon arrival since there is no Gambian
Mission in Vanuatu
Georgia No 90/360 days Visa issued upon arrival for GEL 50/100
Germany No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Ghana No Visa issued upon arrival for USD 100 if the arrangement
has been confirmed by Ghana Immigration at least 48hrs
prior to arrival
Gibraltar No 6 months
Greece No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Grenada No 90 days
Guatemala No 90 days
Haiti No 90 days
Honduras No 90 days
Hong Kong No 90 days
Hungary No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Iceland No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Iran No 15 days Visa issued upon arrival for EUR 50, provided holding
pre-approval code from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or free
72 hrs visa to those travelling on business and possessing
an official invitation letter
Iraq No Visa issued upon arrival at Bagdad and Najaf to those
with official letter from the Ministry of Interior; visa issued
upon arrival at Erbil for bone fide visitors or those with
an official letter from the Ministry of Interior of the
Kurdistan Regional government
Ireland No 3 months
Italy No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Jamaica No Visa waived
Jordan No Visa issued upon arrival for JOD10 or free of charge to
those travelling in foreign tourist organised group
Kenya No 90 days
Kiribati No 28 days
Kosovo No 90 days
Kuwait No 1 month Visa issued upon arrival for KWD5 with a Kuwaiti sponsor
if the carrier confirms the arrangement
Country Visa requirement Duration Condition of access
VANUATU PASSPORT GENERAL VISA INFORMATION
Laos No 30 days Visa issued upon arrival for USD30
Latvia No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Lebanon No 6-months Visa issued upon arrival at Beirut International Airport to
businessmen, bankers, directors an Investors with a
Lebanese sponsor with prior approval from the Lebanese
Immigration Directorate, or to tourist travelling in a group
of at least 8 people sponsored by a Lebanese registered
tour operator
Lesotho No 14 days
Liberia No Visa issued on arrival as there is no Liberian mission in Vanuatu
Lithuania No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Luxembourg No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Macau No 30-days Visa issued upon arrival for100MOP
Madagascar No 90 days Visa issued upon arrival for MGA 140.000
Malawi No 90 days
Malaysia No 2 months
Maldives No 30 days
Mali No Visa issued on arrival as there is no Malian mission in Vanuatu
Malta No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Marshall Islands No 30-days Visa issued upon arrival for touristic purposes
Mauritius No 60 days 30 days for touristic use and 90 days for business use
Micronesia No
Montserrat No 3 months
Mozambique No 30 days Visa issued upon arrival for US$ 25.00
Nauru No 30 days
Netherlands No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Nicaragua No 90 days Tourist Card must be purchased upon arrival for USD 5.00
Niue No 30 days
Norway No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Palau No 30 days Issued upon arrival for USD50
Papua New Guinea No 60-days Issued on arrival for PGK100 (tourist) of PGK 500 (business)
Peru No 90 days
Philippines No 21 days
Pitcairn Island No 14 days
Poland No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Portugal No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Saint Helena No 90 days Entry Permit can be extended up to 12 months
Saint Kitts & Nevis No 90 days
Saint Lucia No 90 days
Saint Vincent Grenadines No 30 days
Samoa No 60 days
Seychelles No 30 days If possessing proof of being a bona fide visitor, and
Visitor’s Permit can be extended up to 12 months
Singapore No 30 days
Country Visa requirement Duration Condition of access
VANUATU PASSPORT GENERAL VISA INFORMATION
Slovak Republic No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Slovenia No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Solomon Islands No 90 days
South Korea No 30 days Jeju Islands only
South Ossetia Visa free
Spain No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Sweden No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Switzerland No* * Schengen Zone access from March 2015 (approx)
Tanzania No 90 days Visitor’s Pass issued upon arrival
Timor Leste No 30 days Visa issued upon arrival for USD30
Togo No 7-days Visa issued upon arrival with onward ticket, yellow fever
vaccination certificate and 3 passport photos for a fee of
up to XOF 35,000 (can be extended up to 90 days for up
to XOF 90,000).
Tokelau No 30 days Free cruising permit can be obtained in Apia, Samoa
Tonga No 30-31days Tourist visa issued upon arrival free of charge
Trinidad & Tobago No Visa exempt
Turks and Caicos Islands No 30 days
Tuvalu No 1 month Visa issued upon arrival to visitors with onward tickets
and sufficient funds
Uganda No 180 days Single entry visa issued on arrival for USD 50.00;
6-months multiple entries for USD 100; one year multiple
entries visa for up to USD 200
United Kingdom
Including Guernsey,
Isle of Man & Jersey No 6 months
Zambia No 90 days
Zimbabwe No 90 days
Country Visa requirement Duration Condition of access
Visa-free/visa-on-arrival to 97 countries today with 26 EU/Schengen countries to be added in March 2015 with 4 more to beadded later.
6-20-15 Kitaisshiki. 500-8227 Gifu City, Gifu Ken, Japan
Tel: +81(0)90-7031-4360 Office: 505 8066 505
E-mail: [email protected] Skype: scobieryder www.vanuatupassports.com
vanuatu-passports vanuatu passports
Contact: Scobie Ryder, Vanuatu Capital Investment Immigration Plan Agent.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT IMMIGRATION PLAN
Vanuatu
FAST TRACK CITIZENSHIP