Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment Program

Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment Program offers fast-track citizenship with visa-free travel benefits, attracting global investors through economic contributions to the island nation.

Context: Former IPL chief Lalit Modi has surrendered his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London and has acquired citizenship of Vanuatu.

About Citizenship by Investment (CBI)

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands spread over 1,300 km. located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean.
CBI allows individuals to acquire citizenship in a country by making significant financial contributions to its economy.
This scheme is popular among wealthy individuals looking for easier global mobility, tax benefits, and offshore financial services.
According to the Global Residence Index, Vanuatu offers the fastest and simplest CBI program.
Cost: Citizenship for an individual costs between $135,500 and $155,500 (₹1.18 crore to ₹1.35 crore).
- In 2019, the BBC reported that passport sales account for nearly 30% of Vanuatu’s revenue.
Countries such as Malta, Turkey, Montenegro, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Egypt also offer similar programs.

Advantages of Vanuatu Citizenship

Visa-Free Travel: As of 2025, a Vanuatu passport grants visa-free access to 113 countries.
Tax Haven Status: Vanuatu is considered a zero-tax jurisdiction, meaning it has no Personal income tax, Capital gains tax, Inheritance tax, Wealth tax, etc.