The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program has long attracted investors with its fast processing and, most importantly, visa-free access to Schengen Zone countries. However, in 2022, the European Union suspended this agreement.
Today, as the geopolitical map of the world continues to change and the Schengen Zone expands, investors are asking a key question: will the EU restore visa-free access for holders of the Vanuatu passport, and what prospects does this document offer in 2025?
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the EU is tightening its migration policy and closely monitoring “golden passport” programs, imposing strict requirements on due diligence procedures. The authorities of Vanuatu, in turn, are taking steps to reform the program, aiming to restore the trust of European partners. We will analyze the current state of affairs in detail, review changes in the composition of the Schengen Area, assess the real value of a Vanuatu passport without access to the EU, and determine what investors can expect in the near future.
Who joined the Schengen Zone?
Understanding the dynamics of Schengen expansion allows for a proper assessment of the context in which decisions on visa-free regimes are made. In recent years, the free movement zone has been joined by new members.
A significant event was the phased accession of Romania and Bulgaria. From March 31, 2024, border control at air and sea borders was abolished for these countries, which significantly simplified travel by plane and sea within the Schengen Zone.
A key change occurred on January 1, 2025, when Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen Agreement. From this date, controls were abolished at all land borders. This historic event concluded a years-long integration process and granted citizens and residents of these countries complete freedom of movement across the entire Schengen area. For investors and travelers, this means the removal of the last barriers and the creation of a unified space from the Atlantic to the Black Sea, enhancing the economic and tourist appeal of the entire region.
Who can enter Schengen?
The process of expanding the Schengen Zone does not stop. Several candidate countries are at different stages of integration, and their potential accession could change the landscape of European travel. It is important to understand their current status in order not to build illusions about near-term prospects.
Cyprus
Cyprus, being a member of the European Union since 2004, is legally obligated to join the Schengen Area. The country is actively working on meeting all technical requirements. In 2023, Cyprus successfully connected to the Schengen Information System (SIS), which became an important step towards integration. The government has set an ambitious goal — to achieve full technical readiness by the end of 2025.
However, the exact date of accession has not yet been determined and will depend on the political decision of the EU Council. For holders of a Vanuatu passport, this means that in 2025, a national visa of Cyprus will still be required for travel to Cyprus, not a Schengen visa. After joining the Schengen area, the situation will change, but for now, the island remains outside the free movement zone.
Western Balkans
The Western Balkan countries, such as Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and North Macedonia, have candidate status for joining the European Union. Accession to Schengen for them is a long-term prospect directly tied to the process of their full integration into the EU. This path requires extensive reforms in the areas of the rule of law, combating corruption, and border security. It is evident that the accession of these countries to the Schengen Zone will not happen in 2025 and remains a matter of the distant future.
What is happening with Vanuatu’s visa-free access to the EU?
The suspension of the visa-free regime between Vanuatu and the EU in May 2022 became a serious blow to the attractiveness of the Vanuatu citizenship by investment program. The decision was driven by the European Commission’s concerns regarding investor screening procedures. In particular, the EU pointed to the following risks:
- Insufficient due diligence: Lack of systematic information exchange with the countries of origin of applicants.
- Low percentage of rejected applications: What, according to the EU, indicated insufficiently strict selection.
- Granting citizenship to individuals listed in Interpol databases: This posed direct security threats to EU member states.
In response, the government of Vanuatu took a number of steps to reform the program. Checks were tightened, mandatory interviews were introduced, and a dialogue with European structures was initiated to restore trust.
Nevertheless, by the end of 2025, the prospects for restoring visa-free travel remain unclear. The European Union has introduced a new mechanism that allows for the automatic suspension of visa-free regimes with third countries in the presence of threats, including those related to citizenship-by-investment programs that do not imply “genuine ties” to the country. This means that for Vanuatu to resume dialogue, it must demonstrate not just formal but fundamental and long-term changes in its approach to candidate screening. Investors should not count on the swift return of visa-free access to the Schengen area and should assess the value of the passport based on current realities.
What does a Vanuatu passport provide today?
Despite the loss of a key advantage — visa-free access to Schengen, — the Vanuatu passport remains relevant for a certain category of investors. Its value has shifted towards other regions and the unique characteristics of the program itself.
The main focus today is on visa-free access to strategically important countries in Asia and other regions. The list of Vanuatu visa free countries includes about 90-100 destinations, among which stand out:
- Hong Kong: The largest financial center in Asia, providing access to the Chinese market and international investment opportunities (stay up to 90 days).
- Singapore: A global hub for business, finance, and technology, known for its stable economy and high standard of living (stay up to 30 days).
- Russian Federation: An important destination for business and personal trips for citizens of many countries (stay up to 90 days).
- Other countries: The list also includes many states of the Caribbean, Latin America, and some countries of Africa, which ensures good global mobility beyond Europe and North America.
Apart from the geography of trips, the Vanuatu program retains other strong points. Vanuatu citizenship by investment cost remains competitive: the minimum non-refundable contribution to the state fund is $130,000 for a single applicant. The processing time remains one of the fastest in the world, averaging from 2 to 4 months. Additionally, Vanuatu offers an attractive tax regime with no taxes on worldwide income, inheritance, gifts, and capital gains.
The Vanuatu passport in 2025 is a niche tool for investors whose business interests and travel goals are focused on Asia and other regions, as well as for those who value the speed of obtaining a second passport and tax optimization. If these advantages align with your goals, contact us, and we will provide a comprehensive consultation on all aspects of the program.
Which passports provide the best access to Schengen?
For investors for whom visa-free access to the Schengen Zone is a priority, there are alternative citizenship programs. Global rankings, such as the visa guide passport index, annually determine the strongest passports in the world, and passports of EU countries and the Caribbean traditionally occupy high positions in them.
Among the citizenship-by-investment programs providing visa-free access to Schengen, two main groups can be distinguished.
- Programs of the Caribbean countries:
- Grenada: The passport of this country not only opens the Schengen area but also provides a unique opportunity to obtain an E-2 business visa in the USA, as well as allows visa-free travel to China.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis: The oldest program in the world with an impeccable reputation and a high level of confidentiality.
- Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia: These countries also offer reliable and time-tested programs with access to the Schengen area and the United Kingdom.
- European programs:
- Malta: The “citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment” program provides full EU citizenship, which means the right to live, work, and study in any country of the European Union. However, it requires significantly larger investments (from €600,000) and a longer processing time.
The choice between these programs depends on the investor’s budget, goals, and time frame. Caribbean passports are a more affordable and faster alternative for obtaining global mobility, including access to the Schengen area, while Malta offers the highest status but requires corresponding investments. The current situation with the Vanuatu passport ranking shows that without Schengen, it falls behind these alternatives in terms of the number and quality of visa-free destinations.
