If you wish to settle in Vanuatu and lease real estate, you can apply for a Land Ownership visa.
Note that lands in Vanuatu are not freehold. Properties can be leased for up to 50 years for residential lots and 75 years for commercial ones.
You must have a leasehold ownership of a property in Vanuatu with a value of at least VUV10,000,000, and a monthly income received in Vanuatu of at least VUV250,000 per person, included in the application.
The visa is valid for one year, renewable if the requirements are still met. You will also be required to pay an annual fee of VUV20,000.
After 10 yearsof holding a residence visa you may be eligible for citizenship by naturalization.
Requirements
- Police clearance (original) for each person applying for a residence permit over the age of 18. - Letter from a local bank verifying deposit in a trust covering the total amount of a one-way return ticket(s) for the persons applying for residence permits. - Statutory declaration for each person applying for a residence permit over the age of 18 listing all criminal offenses they have been convicted of during past 10 years. - Leasehold contract.
Restricted Nationalities
No nationality is officially restricted
dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is recognized in Vanuatu. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of Vanuatu.
Documents Required
Original Police Clearance Certificate
Medical Certificate
Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Three passport-size photos
Original Bank Reference Letter (Not older than 6 month)
The Republic of Vanuatu is a former English-French protectorate, made up of a stunning archipelago of 83 islands of volcanic origin surrounded by coral reefs, covering more than 12,000 sq. km of the South Pacific Ocean.
It's located 1750 km from Australia, 500 km northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea. The islands have a population of 267,000 inhabitants. Its capital, most populated city and economic and commercial center is Port Vila, located in Efate Island (the third largest of the archipelago), which has the most important port and airport of the country.
Its official languages are Bislama, French and English. Its official currency is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV).
Visa Free Travel
With your new passport from Vanuatu you'll be able to access 76 countries visa free
Taxes
The income of Vanuatu citizens or residents is free of any kind of local taxes, whether the income is remitted or not. Vanuatu is a low tax and offshore jurisdiction free from personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax and wealth tax.
Lands in Vanuatu are not freehold. Properties can be leased for up to 50 years for residential lots and 75 for commercial ones. Land lease is subject to a 2% registration fee and 5% stamp duty on the unimproved capital value.
Value-added tax (VAT) in Vanuatu is 12.5%.
Regarding corporate taxation, companies incorporated in Vanuatu are free from income taxes, dividend distribution taxes, capital gains taxes and withholding taxes.
Companies incorporated under the Companies Act are entitled to do business within the country. Those incorporated under the International Companies Act may have restrictions to do business with residents, but may benefit from confidentiality, no filling requirements and may be guaranteed for a full tax exemption for 20 years.
This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.
Our attorneys in Vanuatu will guide you through each step of the process to ensure that it is as fast, efficient and pain-free as possible.
If required, we will provide you access to our network of developers and real estate agents in Vanuatu, in order to find the property that best suits your needs. We may introduce you to a selection of Vanuatu banks to open a bank account and transfer your funds.
Once you have leased the property, we will prepare all the documentation required to apply for a Land-Ownership visa. We will send you the application forms, and provide assistance to complete the questionnaires.
The application should be processed in a maximum period of 3 months. After your application is approved, a residence visa will be stamped in your passport.
For further information on Vanuatu’s Land Ownership Visa, contact us for a free private consultation.
