The Vanutu Immigration and Passport office has introduced a new decentralized passport printing system, which allows six provinces to print the passports locally replacing the old outdated system. The new system will increase efficiency, reduce delays waiting for passports and exempts citizens to travel to capital Port Vila to collect passports.
By decentralising passport services, the government aims to reduce the need for citizens to travel to the capital, making the process more convenient and accessible for all Ni-Vanuatu citizens living in the provinces.
-Jeffery Markson, Director of the Vanuatu Immigration Services (VIS)
The six provinces receiving this facility will be
- Port Vila
- SANMA
- MALAMPA
- TAFEA
- TORBA
- Hong Kong,
Republic of Vanuatu passports will be issued in biometric aligning with international standards with enhanced security.
The Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services printed a total of 1,095 passports in March this year. Vanuatu passport office has Issued 311 passports under DSP. These passports were issued to clients involved in the programme, which continues to support the nation’s development goals. The DSP is a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) initiative created by the government to fund infrastructure and promote economic development in the country.
By March 2025, all diplomatic missions will be installed with passport printing and biometric capture machines to make it easier for Vanuatu citizens receive passport services abroad.
The Vanuatu Government has suspended all new applications under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) until further notice pending regulatory changes. Currently DSP/VCP contribution programs are not suspended, open for applications. The Prime minister has ordered to Evaluate and amend Citizenship Act and regulations related to CIIP and DSP with Updated regulations that reflect current needs under the 100 day plan. Steps are being taken to align legal and regulatory frameworks with international standards, particularly in areas such as citizenship. Through these initiatives, the government is laying the foundation for a more transparent, responsive, and accountable governance framework that supports long-term national development. Below is the matrix for the Governance and Reform action plan.
The Vanuatu government has made it clear that, no citizenship programme facilitating the sale of diplomatic passports, The Gazetted COM regulation in Feb 2025 removes the status of trade commissioners receiving diplomatic passports.
We have zero tolerance for those seeking to use our citizenship to evade justice.
– PM Napat
In recent years, the Government of Vanuatu has significantly strengthened the due diligence aspect of its Citizenship by Investment Program over the past four years, resulting in a marked increase in applications failing the enhanced scrutiny undertaken by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit. The improved process implemented several years ago includes triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification.
The Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment program will continue to welcome investors with legitimate intentions, such as those seeking to relocate to a safe and beautiful country.
Source: Daily Post
