The EU decided to temporarily suspend the visa waiver for Vanuatu citizens holding ordinary travel passports issued since May 25, 2015, when the number of the documents issued under the Citizenship-by-Investment program increased significantly. At its meeting on June 10, 2022, the Federal Council decided to adopt this Schengen amendment.

In March 2022, the EU decided to partially suspend the application of the Short-Stay Visa Waiver Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Vanuatu, in force since May 28, 2015. Since 2015, the granting of Vanuatu citizenship to people who invest a certain amount in the country has increased significantly. Citizenship is granted without conducting a routine security check and without an exchange of information with the applicant’s home country. According to the European Commission, the risks to public order and internal security in the Schengen area have therefore increased, and so the EU has temporarily suspended the agreement. The possibility of suspension is explicitly provided for in the agreement between the EU and Vanuatu.

The Federal Council has decided to implement this development of the Schengen acquis. The temporary suspension is expected to last until February 3, 2023.

Republic of Vanuatu in brief

Vanuatu is an archipelago of volcanic origin consisting of 83 islands in Melanesia located east of the Coral Sea (Pacific Ocean) between Australia and Fiji and is a popular tropical vacation destination for Southwest Pacific travelers.

Its capital is Port-Vila, the official languages spoken in the country are Bislama, French and English, and the official currency is the Vatu (VUV)

Tabwemasana at 1,879 m.) is the highest mountain in the archipelago where several volcanoes are still active.

In 2025 Nidwalden will be the best “tax haven” in the world

Vanuatu passport for investment

Vanuatu is a popular offshore financial center, and the Vanuatu Honorary Citizenship by Investment Program was launched in March 2017. This program is also known as the Vanuatu Honorary Citizenship Development and Support Program, which replaces the existing Vanuatu Economic Rehabilitation Program (VERP).

Vanuatu’s Development Support Program offers honorary citizenship to foreign investors for a one-time fee of US$160,000; additional fees are charged for family citizenship packages. Citizenship is approved by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission only after checking applicants’ criminal records and conducting due diligence checks.

Benefits for Vanuatu citizens include:

• Being a citizen of the Commonwealth
• Visa-free travel to 127 countries, including Russia, the United Kingdom, and EU Schengen states.
• There is no income tax, no withholding tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no foreign exchange controls.
• Dual citizenship is allowed.