Vanuatu CIIP 2026: Current Status of the Capital Investment Immigration Plan

The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) was Vanuatu's second citizenship by investment pathway, offering a partially refundable structure — a contribution plus a refundable pledge. Since March 2025, the CIIP has been suspended by the Citizenship Commission and not accepting new applications. All new citizenship applicants must use the Development Support Program (DSP).

What Was the CIIP?

Introduced as a complement to the DSP, the CIIP split the applicant's financial commitment into two components:

• Non-refundable contribution (amount not confirmed) to the Government of Vanuatu
• Refundable pledge (amount and refund terms not confirmed) held in trust for a minimum of four years, then returned to the applicant

Because part of the commitment was refundable, the CIIP's effective net cost was historically presented as lower than the DSP's; specific pledge amounts and refund periods are not confirmed.

CIIP Fee Structure (Historical, Amounts Not Confirmed)

Why Was the CIIP Suspended?

The Citizenship Commission has not issued a formal public statement detailing the specific reasons for suspension. Practitioners attribute the suspension to a combination of factors:

• Compliance review following FATF evaluation: The Citizenship Commission suspended new CIIP applications in March 2025; a resumption has not been confirmed.
• Administrative consolidation: Running two parallel programs with different financial structures (DSP contribution vs. CIIP pledge) requires separate trust administration and audit trails. Concentrating intake into a single program simplifies compliance.
• EU and UK access loss: Following visa exemption termination by the EU and UK, demand shifted and the Commission prioritized processing capacity for DSP.

Existing CIIP citizenship holders retain their citizenship and passport rights unaffected.

Will CIIP Reopen?

Unofficially, practitioners and industry contacts suggest the Commission is reviewing CIIP's structure as part of a broader program modernization. A reopening announcement is considered possible but no timeline has been communicated as of July 2026.

If CIIP reopens, its terms will have to be confirmed at that time; no resumption has been confirmed.

Your Options in 2026

Applicants who were planning to use CIIP should proceed with DSP. Key points:

• DSP processing usually takes 2–4 months for complete files (not guaranteed)
• The DSP contribution for a family of four is $180,000. Waiting for a CIIP reopening is speculative, as no resumption has been confirmed.

→ Current active program: Vanuatu DSP — Complete 2026 Guide

→ Full comparison: DSP vs CIIP: Which Route in 2026?

→ All program options: Vanuatu Citizenship Programs 2026

Frequently Asked Questions About the Vanuatu CIIP

Is the Vanuatu CIIP open in 2026?

No. The Citizenship Commission suspended the CIIP in March 2025, and it is not accepting new applications. New applicants must use the DSP. Monitor official Citizenship Commission announcements or ask your legal representative for updates if you want to know when CIIP may reopen.

Do existing CIIP passport holders keep their citizenship?

Yes. Suspension of new applications does not affect existing CIIP citizens. Their citizenship and passport are valid and renewal follows the standard process.

Can I get my CIIP pledge refunded early?

Pledge refund terms are not confirmed; existing CIIP citizens should check the terms of their own approval with their designated agent.

What is the difference between the CIIP pledge and the DSP contribution?

The DSP contribution is a permanent, non-refundable payment to the government fund. The CIIP pledge was a refundable deposit, with refund terms set by the program rules. Both go to government accounts; only the pledge creates a future liability for the government to return funds.

Should I wait for CIIP to reopen or apply under DSP now?

For single applicants and couples: CIIP amounts are not confirmed, so the cost difference cannot be stated reliably. Apply DSP now and avoid the uncertainty of waiting for a program with no confirmed reopening date. For large families: any CIIP savings are speculative while the program remains suspended. Whether to wait depends on your timeline urgency and whether the DSP cost is manageable.

General information only, not legal advice. Visa and programme rules change; confirm current details before deciding. Last verified 2026-07-08.

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