Real terms for obtaining a Vanuatu passport in 2025: from application to the document in hand

What is Vanuatu citizenship through investment (CBI)?

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program allows foreign investors to obtain full citizenship of the Republic of Vanuatu in exchange for a non-refundable financial contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) or investments in a government-approved project.

Launched after natural disasters to attract capital, this program has established itself as one of the fastest and simplest ways to obtain a second passport in the world. Citizenship grants the right to visa-free entry to many countries, including Hong Kong and Singapore, making it highly sought after among entrepreneurs and IT specialists who need freedom of movement.

Usually, the CBI process includes thorough due diligence, submission of an application, and, after approval, making an investment payment. The main question that concerns every investor: how much time will it actually take to obtain a Vanuatu passport?

Overview of the official timelines for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship

Most advertising materials about the Vanuatu CBI program focus on one indicator: the timeframe for the government’s decision-making. This is where the main discrepancy between expectations and reality lies.

The government of Vanuatu and leading licensed agents often use figures reflecting the minimum period from the submission of documents to the principle approval of the application:

• The range of 30–60 days: This is the most commonly encountered figure. It essentially denotes the period of due diligence and the subsequent decision by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission.

It is important to understand the key difference:

The promise “within 30 days” is usually the period from the application submission to the decision on citizenship.

After a positive decision, the investor must contribute the remaining part of the investment, take the oath (sometimes remotely), and only after that is the physical passport issued.

Factors influencing the duration of the process in 2025

The stated 30–60 days is an ideal scenario. In practice, however, Vanuatu passport processing time depends on a number of critical variables.

A. Due Diligence

This is the most unpredictable stage. The Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit conducts a multi-level check of the candidate: criminal background, sources of funds, political connections (PEP), and more.

• Clean case: If your financial and legal history is impeccable, the verification will take the standard 3–4 weeks.
• A complex case: The presence of a business in high-risk jurisdictions, frequent surname changes, a long list of countries of residence, or minor legal issues can delay this stage for 6–8 weeks or more, as DD agents will require additional clarifications and documents.

B. Collection of documents and preparation of the application

This stage completely depends on the investor and their agent, but it is critically important. High-quality document collection, their notarization, and translation are a labor-intensive process.

• An investor who quickly provides the necessary certificates from banks and law enforcement agencies significantly reduces the time.
• Poor preparation and errors in forms (for example, incorrectly prepared financial reports) lead to requests for revision (RFI — Request For Information), which can add 2–3 weeks to the process.

C. Biometrics and Personal Presence (Innovation 2025)

This is the most significant change affecting Vanuatu CBI 2025 and timelines.

Striving to enhance security and comply with international requirements, Vanuatu is introducing mandatory biometrics. Initially, it was planned to take effect on May 1, 2025, but due to logistical difficulties, the implementation was postponed to September 30, 2025.

How does this affect the deadlines?

1. Biometric submission: The investor will need to provide fingerprints and take a photo at an authorized center, which may be located far from their place of residence. This adds logistical time (travel, appointment, waiting).
2. Data processing: Entering biometric data into the system and its verification at the government level may add another 1–2 weeks to the overall process.

D. Workload of the commission and government work

CBI programs are subject to the influence of political and administrative factors. During periods of high application submissions or reshuffles in the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, timelines may be extended. Workload can increase the waiting time for a decision from 30 to 45–60 days.

E. Express procedures

Some agents offer an expedited Vanuatu passport procedure, but often this means priority processing at the stage of preparation and submission of documents, rather than guaranteed acceleration of the government review itself. If such an option officially exists, it usually entails an additional fee and may shorten the review stage by 1–2 weeks.

Stages of the process and time benchmarks

To provide a realistic picture, we will break down the process of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship into key stages, including the time each of them takes.

Real cases and experience of intermediaries

Our case « How an IT specialist gained freedom of movement Indicative. A client with an impeccable history, who gathered all the documents in the shortest possible time, received approval in a record 45 days.

Expected timelines in 2025

Given the new biometric requirements and the constantly growing volume of applications, here are three scenarios for an investor in 2025.

Optimistic scenario: 2.5 – 3 months

This is possible if:

1. The investor has a simple, clean background.
2. All documents were collected in 3 weeks.
3. Due Diligence is proceeding without requests for revision.
4. The biometric process (if implemented) is well-established and does not require a long wait.

Average scenario: 3.5 – 4.5 months

This is the standard term for most investors:

• Moderate delays at the document collection stage.
• One or two requests for information (RFI).
• Standard waiting time for a decision (about 6 weeks).
• Time tracking for logistics and the oath.

Pessimistic scenario: 5–6+ months

Such delays occur when:

• It is necessary to provide many additional documents for Due Diligence (complex ownership structures, multiple citizenships).
• The workload of the government commission is high (peak season).
• Biometrics have been introduced, but technical or logistical failures are observed during the implementation of the new system.

Tips on how to minimize delays

You cannot control the workload of the government, but you can fully manage the quality of your application.

Here are a few key steps to maximize the process and reduce the time for obtaining a Vanuatu passport:

1. Collect all documents in advance and thoroughly. Engage a professional translator and notary, rather than trying to do it yourself. An incomplete or incorrectly filled form is the main cause of delays.
2. Use an agent with experience. Choose licensed specialists who already have established communication channels with the Civil Commission and can anticipate potential RFIs based on your profile.
3. Stay in touch. Respond promptly to the agent’s requests for missing information. Each day of delay at this stage directly adds to the overall timeline.
4. Check the requirements for biometrics. If Vanuatu biometrics have come into effect, confirm the location of the nearest data submission center with the agent in advance. Book an appointment immediately after receiving principal approval.
5. Explore the acceleration option. Check with your agent if there are legal and official programs offering an expedited Vanuatu passport procedure, and assess whether the additional fee is worth the time saved.

What to expect from Vanuatu CBI in 2025?

The Vanuatu citizenship program by investment remains one of the fastest in the world.

Warning: Promises of “approval in 30 days, guarantee” do not always reflect the full picture. They only speak about the speed of decision-making but do not take into account your personal speed of document collection, logistics, or the introduction of mandatory biometrics.

To avoid mistakes that could delay the process for months and to get the most accurate estimate of your actual timeline for obtaining a Vanuatu passport, consult a qualified agent or lawyer today.