Vanuatu is an island country in the South Pacific that some people have not even heard of. The place is so remote that it’s going to take you two days to get there by plane if you fly from Europe or America. However, Vanuatu offers an opportunity that few other countries offer. In particular, it administers a citizenship-by-investment program, which means that you can ‘buy’ a passport of Vanuatu.
The program has certain requirements and certain advantages that we discuss below. After that, we try to find an answer to the following question: Is it worth taking a long trip to visit Vanuatu?
Vanuatu citizenship-by-investment program requirements in brief
Currently, you can obtain a passport of Vanuatu only in exchange for a non-returnable donation. The authorities of the country are considering the opportunity to issue passports to foreign nationals buying real estate there but no decisions have been made so far. Below we quote the required donation amounts and additional costs involved in obtaining citizenship of Vanuatu.
Donation to the national fund
- Single investor – US$130,000
- Married couple – US$150,000
- Family of four – US$180,000 + US$15,000 per every additional family member.
Mandatory state duties
- Due diligence fee per each adult family member – US$5,000
- Passport issuance fee – US$250 per person.
Overhead costs
- Translator’s fees.
- Notary fees.
- Courier delivery of the documents.
Special advantages of Vanuatu citizenship-by-investment program
Vanuatu offers some special opportunities to foreign investors that they cannot find in other countries that run citizenship-by-investment programs. Some other advantages, however, are available elsewhere too.
You can acquire citizenship of Vanuatu without visiting the country but this opportunity is not unique. You can also acquire citizenship of five countries in the Caribbean remotely. What makes Vanuatu different, however, is the fact that no personal interview is required unlike in the Caribbean. At the same time, the personal interview requirement may be introduced in the future.
Vanuatu has good relations with two financial centers in the region: Singapore and Hong Kong. Vanuatu passport holders do not have to apply for visas if they want to visit these jurisdictions. Besides, you are going to have no problems paying for your Vanuatu passport via a bank located in Singapore or Hong Kong. What makes Vanuatu unique again is the fact that you can cover the cost of Vanuatu citizenship by paying in a cryptocurrency.
Citizenship of Vanuatu can be inherited but this opportunity is available elsewhere too. A uniquely relaxed requirement that Vanuatu has is as follows: you don’t have to use your personal bank account or your company bank account to transfer the donation and cover other related costs. You can use any bank account for this purpose. Please follow the link to find more detailed information about the Vanuatu citizenship-by-investment program.
Should you take a long trip to Vanuatu?
The Republic of Vanuatu is located to the east of Australia and it occupies 83 islands with a total area of only 12.2 thousand square kilometers. Vanuatu has one of the weakest economies in the world. Agriculture is the main sector of the economy but the country tries to attract foreign investors. Many Chinese entrepreneurs in particular establish companies there.
Main reasons for visiting Vanuatu
Probably the main reason to visit Vanuatu is to go diving and snorkeling. The underwater world there is as beautiful as it is in the Caribbean and you will find quite a few sunken ships there too. The number of tourists is smaller in Vanuatu, the prices are lower, tourist facilities are fewer, and the service level has been rising recently. There are hotels in Vanuatu that satisfy Australians and Europeans who are used to comfort.
Ethno-cultural tourism is well-developed in Vanuatu too. You can visit a village where natives live, watch their lifestyle and participate in the life of their community. You can visit some interesting sites on your own but you will often need a guide and an interpreter to find your way around the islands.
Over a hundred languages are spoken in Vanuatu but almost everybody understands bislama, a creole language spoken in the capital city. English and French are official languages in Vanuatu but few people actually speak them.
New Hebrides are young volcanic islands and they are still going through the formation process. You will find both active and extinct volcanoes in Vanuatu.
The climate is mostly equatorial in Vanuatu but much depends on the elevation and the direction of the trade winds. In some places, the level of humidity is higher while it some other places it is lower. Residents of Vanuatu are openhearted and friendly to tourists.
When to go to Vanuatu
You will find the most comfortable weather if you go to Vanuatu in winter – between July and September. This is a dry season with humidity at 70-74% compared to 90% in the rainy season. There’s no sweltering heat and the nights are cool.
Local currency
The local currency is called vatu. The Australian dollar, however, is in free circulation on the islands and that’s the currency that you should take with you if you go to Vanuatu. Most shops, hotels, and restaurants will accept Australian dollars. Your hotel room is going to be your largest expense. Food and services are comparatively inexpensive in Vanuatu.
Beaches in Vanuatu
Most islands that Vanuatu consists of have beaches including uninhabited islands. These locations are perfect for both sunbathing and diving. You will find a lot of underwater flora and fauna if you go diving or snorkeling in Vanuatu.
Champaign Beach on Espirito Santo island is probably the most famous beach in Vanuatu. The color of the sand there is close to the color of Champaign hence the name.
You will find locals working as animators on the beaches and you can take pictures of Vanuatu natives wearing traditional costumes. Various souvenirs are sold right on the beaches.
Things to do in Vanuatu
There are some places that you must visit if you find yourself in Vanuatu. Interesting architecture can be found only in the capital city of Port Vila on Efate Island. Espirito Santo Island has the best beach in Vanuatu. Yasur is the only active volcano in the country. It is located on Tanna Island and it is the most accessible active volcano in the world. Fifteen minutes in a car then ten minutes of foot and you are at the top.
Visiting local settlements can also be a lot of fun. These are not ethnic villages built especially for tourists: this is the way people live in Vanuatu.
Personal security in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. The islands are small and all the crimes are solved quickly. Residents of Vanuatu are extremely amicable.
It is true that Vanuatu is a faraway country. Is a visit to the country worth the trouble? Without any doubt, it is!