Vanuatu citizenship by investment costs from $130,000 for a single applicant under the active Development Support Program (DSP) in 2026. Total all-in cost — including government fees, due diligence, and legal preparation — runs from about $135,000 to $150,000 for a single applicant, depending on complexity. Family costs scale with dependants added.
This guide breaks down every cost component so there are no surprises at any stage of your application.
The contribution depends on how many people are included in the application. These are the published Development Support Program (DSP) amounts:
| Application | Government contribution |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | $130,000 |
| Couple (main applicant + spouse) | $150,000 |
| Family of 3 | $165,000 |
| Family of 4 | $180,000 |
| Each further dependant | Set by the schedule — confirmed by your designated agent |
The contribution is paid only after approval. You do not wire $130,000 when you apply — you pay once the Citizenship Commission has approved the application. Only the $5,000 due diligence fee is paid at submission.
| Fee | Amount | When Paid | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Due diligence fee (non-refundable) $5,000 | At submission | No | |
| Passport issuance fee | Set by regulation | Post-approval | N/A |
| Citizenship certificate | Set by regulation | Post-approval | N/A |
These are costs you pay to your legal representative, not the government. They vary by firm, nationality, and document complexity:
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Legal representation (single) | Varies; quoted by the firm |
| Legal representation (family of 4) | Quoted by your agent; rises with family size |
| Document apostille (per document) | $50 – $200 |
| Certified translation (per document, per language) | $80 – $250 |
| Police clearance (per country, per person) | $50 – $300 |
| Bank reference letter | $0 – $500 |
| Medical certificate (if required) | $100 – $300 |
| DHL/express courier (passport delivery) | $50 – $150 |
Illustrative totals using the DSP contribution, a $5,000 due diligence fee and a typical range of legal and document costs. Your agent confirms whether due diligence is charged per application or per adult.
| Scenario | Contribution | Due diligence | Legal + docs (est.) | Total (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | $130,000 | $5,000 | Quoted by your agent | $135,000 + agent fees |
| Couple (no children) | $150,000 | $5,000 | Agent quote | Contribution + due diligence + agent fees |
| Family of 3 (couple + 1 child) | $165,000 | $5,000 | Set by your agent | Contribution, due diligence and agent quote |
| Family of 4 (couple + 2 children) | $180,000 | $5,000 | Varies by agent | $180,000 + due diligence + agent fees |
→ Use our cost calculator for an estimate by family size.
→ Detailed family cost breakdown: Vanuatu Citizenship Cost for a Family
The government contribution is paid by international wire transfer to the government account named in the instructions you receive through your designated agent. Key points:
| Country | Min. Cost (single) | Visa-free (approx.) | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu DSP | $130,000 | ~88 2–4 months | |
| St Lucia | $200,000 | 145+ | Several months; varies case by case |
| Dominica | $200,000 | 140+ | 90–120 days |
| Grenada | $200,000 | 145+ | 90–120 days |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $200,000 | 150+ | 90–120 days |
| Jordan | Set by Jordan's own rules | 55+ | 3–6 months |
| Turkey | Real estate route (threshold set by Turkey) | 115+ | 3–6 months |
→ Full comparison: Vanuatu vs Caribbean CBI Programs
All-in, budget from $135,000 plus legal and document preparation costs. The $135,000 covers the $130,000 DSP contribution and the $5,000 due diligence fee; legal and agent fees vary and are quoted by your designated agent. Wire transfer fees are additional and typically minor.
No. Government contribution amounts are fixed by regulation. No discounts, waivers, or partial payments are available. Be cautious of any agent claiming to offer reduced government fees.
After the Citizenship Commission approves the application. The usual sequence is: (1) pay the $5,000 due diligence fee at submission; (2) due diligence and review, typically several weeks to a few months; (3) approval; (4) wire $130,000 to the government account; (5) citizenship formally granted.
The $5,000 due diligence fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome. The $130,000 contribution is only wired after approval, so rejection means you never transfer it. Pre-application eligibility checks by your legal representative minimize rejection risk.
No. The government requires full payment in a single wire transfer upon approval. No instalment plans or financing structures are available for the government contribution. Legal fees may sometimes be structured differently — discuss with your representative.
General information only, not legal advice. Visa and programme rules change; confirm current details before deciding. Last verified 2026-10-22.
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