Contribution Program
The Republic of Vanuatu has launched the Contribution Program pursuant to Section 13D of the Vanuatu Citizenship Act [CAP 112], under the Citizenship (Contribution Program) Regulation Order No. 220 of 2016 enacted on 19 December 2016. The Contribution Program aims to attract high quality new immigrants to support the economic development of the Republic of Vanuatu.
The Program Details
An individual who contributes specified amount to the Development Support Account of the Vanuatu Government through an authorized agent is entitled to lodge an application for citizenship under Section 13D of the Vanuatu Citizenship Act [CAP 112] after duly contributed the initial payment. The applications shall be lodged with the Citizenship Commission for consideration and decision shall be made after the clearance from the Screening Committee. It takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application lodged till the time become the citizen of the Republic of Vanuatu and obtain the passport. Moreover, the applicant’s spouse, children aged below 18, unmarried children aged between 18 and 25 who are receiving full-time education, and parents aged above 50 may also apply along with the applicant.
Legal Base
Pursuant to Section 13D of the Vanuatu Citizenship Act [CAP 112], the Minister is to prescribe by Regulation the requirements for an application for citizenship under the Contribution Program, the prescribed fees payable by an applicant under the Contribution Program covers the applicant, his or her spouse and 2 children. Also the Minister may prescribe additional fees applicable for any other child (including those aged between 18 and 25 who are receiving full-time education) and parents aged above 50 applying along with the applicant.
The Commission must within 3 months of receiving an application under this section, make a decision on whether or not to approve and grant a citizenship and it takes 30 working days to complete under normal circumstances.
Citizenship (Contribution Program) Regulation Order No. 220 of 2016 specifies the following:
– Procedures for applications for citizenship under the Contribution Program
– Prescribed fees
– Additional fees applicable for other items
Authorization from Vanuatu Government
Office of the Prime Minister delegated the Citizenship Commission for in charging the acitizenship application under Contribution Program which is fully supported by the officials and departments of Vanuatu Government. In the meantime, the Government appointed Vanuatu Glory Limited (VGL) to be the Worldwide Exclusive Sole Agent in respect of the Contribution Program, VGL also appointed PRG ImmiMart Limited (PRG) to be the Worldwide Exclusive Sole Master Marketing Agent to promote the Contribution Program and handle the preliminary work on the submission VCP case. The authorization certificates were issued by the Prime Minister and Citizenship Commission respectively to certify that PRG is the Worldwide Exclusive Sole Master Marketing Agent authorized by VGL.
Advantage of Citizenship Application
-Mature legal system
-Fully supported by the Vanuatu Government
-No landing and residing requirement
-Dual citizenship allowed
-Three generations can be included in the application
-Short approval time, about 6 weeks