The Development Support Program (DSP) is Vanuatu's active citizenship by investment pathway in 2026. Established under the Citizenship Act, Cap. 112 and administered by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission under the Office of the Prime Minister, the DSP converts a non-refundable government contribution into full Vanuatu citizenship — and a passport offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 88 destinations.
The DSP is a contribution model, not an investment. Applicants wire funds directly to the Vanuatu Development Support Fund — a government-controlled account used for national development, infrastructure, and social projects. The money is not refundable under any circumstances, including rejection. This distinguishes the DSP from the CIIP (new applications suspended since March 2025), which historically used a refundable pledge.
Legal authority: Citizenship (Development Support Programme) Regulations, enacted under Cap. 112. Applications are processed by the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission, with financial intelligence oversight by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
| Applicant Type | Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant (single) | $130,000 | Non-refundable to government fund |
| + Spouse | +$20,000 (couple: $150,000) | Simultaneous processing |
| + Minor child (under 18) | $165,000 for 3 · $180,000 for 4 | No upper limit on minor children |
| + Adult dependent (student, within the age rules) | Set by schedule (confirmed by your designated agent) | Must be in full-time education |
| + Parent (over 50) | Set by schedule (confirmed by your designated agent) | Must be financially dependent |
The DSP is open to most nationalities. Applicants must meet all of the following:
→ Full eligibility rules: Who Can Apply for Vanuatu Citizenship?
Step 1 — Consultation & eligibility check (1–3 days): Our lawyers review your nationality, criminal record, source of funds, and business background to confirm eligibility and identify any due diligence red flags before filing.
Step 2 — Document preparation (2–4 weeks): Gather and apostille: passport, birth certificate, police clearance from all countries of residence (last 10 years), bank reference, source-of-funds evidence, and passport photos. Documents in languages other than English require certified translation.
Step 3 — Application submission (1–2 days): Designated agent submits to the Citizenship Commission with the $5,000 due diligence fee. Commission assigns a file number and commences formal processing.
Step 4 — Commission review & FIU due diligence (timing not guaranteed): The Commission and FIU conduct background checks across criminal databases, sanctions lists, and adverse media. Files with clear backgrounds and complete documentation move through most smoothly.
Step 5 — Approval & contribution payment (3–5 days): On approval in principle, the Commission notifies your agent of the approval. The applicant wires the contribution ($130,000 + applicable dependant amounts) directly to the Development Support Fund. Citizenship is formally granted upon receipt of funds.
Step 6 — Passport issuance (7–14 days after grant): Vanuatu passport issued and delivered by express courier. Total elapsed time from consultation to passport receipt: typically 90–120 days.
Transparency: the DSP does not currently provide EU visa-free access. The EU terminated Vanuatu visa exemption on 4 February 2023 (made permanent from 3 February 2025 by Regulation (EU) 2025/11). The UK followed on 19 July 2023. Holders of Vanuatu passports must apply for Schengen visas — a two-hour appointment, not a barrier, but a step to plan for.
The DSP is also not a residency program. It grants citizenship directly without a preliminary residency phase. This is an advantage for most applicants but means there is no transitional status — you are either a citizen or you are not.
| DSP (Active 2026) | CIIP (Suspended since March 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Suspended |
| Contribution | $130,000 (non-refundable) | Contribution + refundable pledge (historical) |
| Pledge refund | None | Not confirmed |
| Family of 4 cost | $180,000 | Not available (suspended) |
| Processing | Usually 2–4 months | Not accepting applications |
→ Detailed comparison: DSP vs CIIP — Which Route in 2026?
The $130,000 contribution is paid only after the Commission grants approval. If your application is rejected at the review stage, you do not pay the contribution — rejection happens before the fund transfer. The $5,000 due diligence fee paid at submission is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
No. All dependants must be named and included at the time of initial submission. Adding dependants after submission is not permitted; a new application must be filed for any person omitted from the original filing.
No. The contribution is wired directly to the government's Development Support Fund account from your existing bank. You do not need to establish any banking presence in Vanuatu as part of the citizenship process.
The FIU requires 6–12 months of bank statements showing the accumulated funds, a signed source-of-funds declaration, and supporting documentation (business records, property sale contracts, inheritance documents, investment account statements) where funds derive from specific events. Funds of unclear origin are the most common cause of requests for additional information.
Rejected applicants lose the $5,000 due diligence fee but not the $130,000 contribution (which is paid only after approval). Grounds for rejection include failed due diligence, incomplete documentation, or submission by an unauthorized agent. Reapplication is generally permitted after addressing the grounds for rejection, subject to Commission discretion.
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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