A Republic of Vanuatu passport is a travel document to gain access to 95 countries and territories without a visa, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Caribbean countries. Vanuatu’s economic citizenship program allows expats, international investors, and high-net-worth individuals to enhance their global mobility and financial security by granting a Vanuatuan passport in exchange for investment.
This guide provides everything you should know about Vanuatu passports, including:
Vanuatu Passport Ranking
The Vanuatu passport ranks 112th on the Global Passport Index (GPI).
- Overall GPI ranking: 112th
- Enhanced Mobility Index: 110th
- Investment Index: 101st
- Quality of Life Index: 85th
As of 2025, Vanuatuan passport holders have visa free and visa on arrival access to 95 countries. The passport ranks among the most powerful in the South Pacific region.
Passport statistics
Statistic | Score |
Mobility Score | 95 |
Visa Free | 45 |
Visa on Arrival | 31 |
eVisa | 15 |
eTA | 3 |
Passport Power Rank | 112th |
World Reach | 48 percent |
Population | 320,409 (2023) |
Key Facts about the Vanuatu Passport
The Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services issues a Vanuatu passport to Vanuatuans for international travel. It is a valid proof of citizenship in the country.
The Vanuatu government began issuing biometric passports (ePassports) in August 2024. These passports feature an RFID chip that is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Who qualifies for a passport?
Individuals who qualify for Vanuatu passports are persons born in Vanuatu, persons married to a Vanuatu citizen, persons who have lived in Vanuatu for at least ten years, or persons who invest in the Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP) or an alternative investment option to obtain citizenship by investment.
Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, and the citizenship program does not require residency or language tests to qualify for a second passport.
Taxes for passport holders
Vanuatu is a tax haven, and Vanuatu passport holders do not pay personal or corporate income tax or wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes.
Passport validity
An adult’s Grenada is valid for ten years and a child’s Grenada passport is valid for five years.
Types of Vanuatu Passports
Three types of passports are issued by the Immigration and Passport Department of Grenada: Regular, service, and diplomatic.
Ordinary passport: Issued to regular Vanuatu citizens for international travel.
Diplomatic passport: Issued to high-ranking officials and their family members representing Vanuatu in international affairs.
Official/service passport: Issued to government employees traveling abroad on official state business.
Emergency passport: Issued to citizens who need to travel urgently but do not have an ordinary passport available.
Vanuatu Passport by Investment Program
The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program is a South Pacific economic citizenship program that allows investors and their families to obtain a Vanuatu second passport. The minimum investment is $130,000.
Eligibility criteria
- Be over 18 and under 65 years old
- Hold a clean criminal record
- Have the means to invest at least $130,000
- Provide evidence of at least $250,000 in your bank account
Investment options
There are three investment options for obtaining citizenship:
Development Support Program (DSP) contribution: The DSP is a state fund. The main applicant must make a non-refundable contribution of $130,000. The contribution required for a main applicant, spouse, and two children is $180,000.
Real Estate Option Program (REO): Investors can purchase approved Vanuatu real estate valued at least $200,000.
CIIP (Capital Investment Immigration Plan) donation: Investors can donate $150,000 to the CIIP to acquire citizenship. $50,000 from the donation is redeemable after four years.
Other Ways to Get a Vanuatu Passport
Birth: Persons born in Vanuatu
Descent: Persons born to at least one parent or grandparent of Ni-Vanuatu ancestry or a citizen by naturalization
Naturalization: Persons who have lived in Grenada for at least ten years
Marriage: Persons married to a Grenada national for at least two years
Honorary: Persons who have provided extraordinary services to Vanuatu through humanitarian work, cultural advancement, economic development, or international relations.
Take a look at our Vanuatu Passport by Investment Ultimate Guide
Vanuatu Passport Requirements
To apply for a Vanuatuan passport, you must have the documents listed below:
- Vanuatu passport application (Form A for ordinary citizens and Form B for economic citizens)
- Citizenship certificate
- Confirmation letter from the Vanuatu Citizenship Office
- Two recent passport photos
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) clearance certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- A copy of the Vanuatu birth certificate
- A copy of the marriage certificate (if applicable)
- A letter from an authorized recruiting agent for Labor Mobility (if applicable)
The fees vary based on the applicant’s age, Vanuatu passport type, and the processing speed required
Application Process for a Vanuatu Passport
Vanuatu citizens can apply for a passport directly with the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services or through an embassy or high commission overseas. Specific steps and passport fees may vary depending on the type of application, the individual, and where the application is received.
- Complete the official Vanuatu Passport Application Form B for economic citizens. The Vanuatu passport process includes fulfilling a biometric and fingerprinting requirement at the nearest Vanuatu Embassy or Consulate.
- Gather the required documents. This may include an expired passport, citizenship certificate, a letter of consent for minors, or proof of marital status.
- Attach two passport-size photographs. These must be 45mm x 35 mm, no more than six months old, and the back must be signed by the endorser who can attest to the applicant’s likeness and identity.
- Pay passport application fees. The specific Vanuatu passport cost differs for regular and fast-track processing.
- Submit the completed application to the Department of Immigration and Passport Services, an embassy, or a high commission abroad.
Vanuatu Passport fees
The cost of a Vanuatu passport through the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program starts at $130,000 for a single applicant and $180,000 for a family of up to four. Other fees apply, including due diligence fees, processing fees, application fees, and interview fees.
Vanuatu citizens pay the following fees for passports:
- Child’s passport (0 to 5): VT 5,000 ($40)
- Child’s passport (6 to 17): VT 7,000 ($55)
- Adult’s passport: VT 10,000 ($80)
- Express passport: VT 20,000 ($160)
- Urgent passport: VT 25,000 ($200)
Vanuatu passport time
Applying for Vanuatu citizenship by investment takes about three months, including the due diligence procedures. The normal passport process takes up to 21 days.
Expedited processing
Vanuatu citizens have two options for an additional cost to fast-track passport processing:
Express processing: Up to ten days processing time
Urgent processing: Up to three days processing time
Renewal and Replacement of Vanuatu Passports
Renewal process
Vanuatu passport renewal fees for Vanuatu economic citizens include a passport fee and courier fee.
Adult’ passport: $3,000
Child’s passport (0 to 18): $2,850
Courier fee: $1,000
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Expired/expiring Vanuatu passport
- Vanuatu Passport Application Form B
- Recent passport photos (digital copies)
- Certified copy of Vanuatu Birth Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Certified copy of Vanuatu Citizenship Certificate
- Certified copy of passport of country of origin
- Police Clearance of country of residence
- Certified copy of birth certificate
Replacing lost or stolen passports
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Vanuatu passport, you must follow the renewal process and supply the following support documents:
- A police report detailing the loss or theft or signed Immigration Lost or Damage Declaration Form.
- Previous Vanuatu passports (if applicable)
Embassies and Consulates for Grenada Passport Services
Consulate General of the Republic of Vanuatu (Beijing, China)
3-1-11 San Li Tun Diplomatic Compound, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6532 0337
Fax: +86 10 6532 0336
Email:
Embassy and High Commission of the Republic of Vanuatu (Brussels, Belgium)
Avenue de Tervuren 380 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre Belgium
Tel: +32 2 772 7141
Fax: +32 2 771 7494
Email: [email protected]
Seven Vanuatu Passport Benefits
Enhanced mobility: Vanuatu citizens can travel to 95 Vanuatu visa free countries, including Hong Kong and Singapore.- Affordable program: Vanuatu’s citizenship program is one of the cheapest worldwide, with a minimum investment of just $130,000.
- No residency requirements: The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission does not have a residency requirement or requirement to visit Vanuatu to obtain dual citizenship and maintain a Vanuatuan passport.
- Fast processing: Foreigners can get a Vanuatu passport in as little as three months.
- Tax optimization: Vanuatu taxes do not include corporate or personal income taxes. The country has no wealth, inheritance, capital gains, or property taxes.
- Family inclusion: Primary applicants can include their spouse, children, dependent parents, and grandparents in their application.
- Dual citizenship: Vanuatu allows dual nationality, permitting Vanuatu passport holders to maintain their passports alongside passports of other nations.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Vanuatu Passport
How to get a Vanuatu passport?
You can qualify to obtain a Republic of Vanuatu passport by birth, descent, naturalization, or through investment in the country’s economy through economic citizenship program.
Can my family also apply for Vanuatu's passport by investment program?
Your family can obtain a Vanuatu citizenship certificate and passport by making the minimum investment required to apply for family members.
How to buy a Vanuatu passport?
You cannot buy a Vanuatu passport; however, you can obtain Vanuatu citizenship and a passport by investing in Vanuatu’s citizenship program.
How much is a Vanuatu passport?
The Vanuatu passport fee starts at $130,000 for a single person, $150,000 for a couple, and $180,000 for a family of four.
Does an Indian passport holder need a visa for Vanuatu?
An Indian passport holder can enter Vanuatu visa free and stay for up to 30 days.
How do I get a golden passport in Vanuatu?
You can get a Vanuatu golden passport holder by applying for citizenship through the country’s citizenship program and making an investment in its economic development.
How strong is the Vanuatu passport?
According to the Global Passport Index, the Vanuatu passport ranks 112th, offering reasonable strength.
Can I travel to the UK with a Vanuatu passport?
The UK government requires Vanuatu passport holders to apply for a visa to travel to the UK.
What happened to Vanuatu's passport?
The European Union suspended Vanuatu’s visa free access to the Schengen Area in 2022 and voted to make the suspension permanent in December 2024.
Can you renounce Vanuatu citizenship?
You can renounce your Vanuatu citizenship and surrender your passport by submitting a complete Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship form to the Vanuatu Citizenship Office.
