Vanuatu operates two different citizenship by investment programs. Often this can be very confusing to clients. Both the programs have similar investment requirements. Here we will try to explain important differences between the two programs in best possible ways.
While DSP/VCP schemes are 90% similar, the main difference lies in voting rights and number of agents marketing the schemes.
| Vanuatu Contribution Program (VCP) | Development Support Program (DSP | |
| Donation | USD 130,000 | USD 130,000 |
| Citizenship | Ordinary citizenship | Ordinary citizenship |
| Honorary Citizenship | No | No |
| Market | Awarded exclusively to a Hong Kong company for the Chinese market | All countries |
| Right to Vote | No | No |
| Residence requirements | None | None |
| Hold Government Office | No | No |
| Real Estate | No option | No option |
| Processing times | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| Authorized agents | 1 | 50+ |
| Third Generations | Parents above 50 years can apply | Parents above 50 years can apply |
| Passport | Ordinary passport | Ordinary passport |
| Oath ceremony | In Vanuatu or Abroad or Online | Vanuatu or Abroad or Online |
Note: Vanuatu made several changes to citizenship legislation in 2019 for both DSP and VCP schemes. A new REO Real estate option was introduced in 2021.
Voting rights
Right to vote is only available to naturalized or born citizen of Vanuatu, according to Vanuatu constitution published in 2020. Dual citizens cannot vote without meeting a ten-year residency requirement.
