--- title: Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. description: Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. canonical: https://time.com/branded-content/apg/here-s-how-vanuatu-made-95-million-from-citizenship-in-6-months-/ article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-10-23T12:22:09.247Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T20:17:00.013Z article:section: Branded Contributor Content og:title: Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. og:description: Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. og:url: https://time.com/branded-content/apg/here-s-how-vanuatu-made-95-million-from-citizenship-in-6-months-/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt96c88f228c624cd1/6ac7fa0a333384fe46046bc0/Stone_cottages_by_the_turquoise_sea.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1536 og:image:height: 864 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. twitter:description: Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt96c88f228c624cd1/6ac7fa0a333384fe46046bc0/Stone_cottages_by_the_turquoise_sea.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Here’s how Vanuatu made $95 million from citizenship in 6 months. > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. A TIME subscription provides full access to that journalism in print and digital, from $20 a year, and can be cancelled at any time. 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Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### What is included in a TIME print and digital subscription? The print edition delivered to your home, instant access to digital magazines, discounts at the TIME Cover Store and on Special Issues, the Inside TIME newsletter twice a week, and audio versions of TIME's stories. It is from $29 for one year or $49 for two years at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### What is the difference between TIME's digital and print plans? Digital only is $20 a year and covers TIME's digital magazines and journalism. Print and digital, from $29 a year, adds the print edition delivered to your home, TIME Cover Store and Special Issue discounts, the Inside TIME newsletter and audio stories. #### Is TIME a reliable news source? TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923. Its journalism is reported and edited by a professional newsroom led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs, with named correspondents on politics, climate, health, technology and culture. It reaches 1 million US print subscribers and 1.15 million globally, plus more than 1.1 million newsletter readers. #### How do I subscribe to TIME magazine? Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent. Choose digital only at $20 a year, or print and digital from $29 a year or $49 for two years. TIME also publishes seven free email newsletters at time.com/newsletters, which do not require a subscription. #### Can I cancel a TIME subscription? Yes. TIME states that subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. #### Does TIME have free newsletters? Yes. TIME publishes seven free email newsletters reaching more than 1.1 million readers, covering daily news, Washington politics, health, AI, climate and energy, culture, and the newsroom itself. They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-sub-2026q3/newsletters?i=91c0c29a-c82d-49dc-9964-9e397a9508cb&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1) * TIME Subscriptions: [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-sub-2026q3/subscribe?i=91c0c29a-c82d-49dc-9964-9e397a9508cb&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1)  Image credit: Adobe Stock Image credit: Adobe Stock Image credit: Adobe Stock In the first half of 2026, Vanuatu collected about VT11.4 billion, or roughly $95.5 million, from its citizenship program. That was equivalent to about 39% of government revenue excluding donor funding. It exceeded every other revenue line identified in the mid-year figures, including value-added tax. #### Unusual market behind the numbers For most Americans, citizenship is something acquired at birth, inherited from a parent, or earned after years of living in another country. Vanuatu offers another route. There, eligible applicants can qualify for citizenship without years of residency by meeting the financial requirements of the[ Vanuatu investment ](https://imin-caribbean.com/citizenship-vanuatu-en/)program. This investment-based model explains how citizenship can generate such significant revenue for the country. Instead of collecting small administrative fees from ordinary applicants, Vanuatu receives substantial contributions from a relatively small number of wealthy foreigners. The figures are also notable because applications appear to have continued after the program lost one of its previous attractions. The European Union permanently ended visa-free access for Vanuatu citizens after raising concerns about the country’s investor citizenship schemes. Yet citizenship revenue reached record levels in the first half of 2026. Continued interest despite the loss of EU visa-free access suggests the program may appeal to applicants for other reasons. Some applicants value the ability to obtain a second legal nationality through a relatively fast and clearly defined process. #### Why some Americans consider second citizenship in Vanuatu For wealthy Americans, the value of Vanuatu citizenship lies less in the travel document and more in the legal status and route it provides. They are acquiring a second legal nationality that can be obtained within a relatively short, structured, and defined process. **Citizenship without ancestry.** Many Americans exploring a second citizenship first investigate whether they qualify through parents or grandparents. That can work for people with the right family history, but eligibility depends on the laws of the other country. An investment program provides a route for people whose family tree does not offer one. **Freedom from residency requirements.** The other traditional option is naturalization. In Vanuatu itself, the standard naturalization route generally requires at least 10 years of continuous residency. An investment applicant does not have to spend a decade living there before becoming eligible. **Family inclusion.** The Vanuatu program can extend to eligible spouses, children and dependent parents. This can turn an individual decision into a family planning decision. Current eligibility depends on the age, relationship and financial dependency of each family member. **Time saved on the path to citizenship.** Vanuatu citizenship can typically be obtained in 2 to 4 months. That can be quicker than residency-based routes, which may require several years before an applicant is eligible for naturalization. #### How the Vanuatu citizenship program works Applicants for Vanuatu citizenship must meet the program’s eligibility requirements and pass government Due Diligence before completing the investment. **Vanuatu offers two citizenship-by-investment routes** with different financial requirements. Under the contribution option, a single applicant contributes at least $130,000 to a state fund. The required contribution starts at $150,000 for a married couple and increases with additional family members. It is non-refundable. Another option is linked to the Cocoa Sustainable Development Fund. Under this route, applicants make an investment of $165,000 for a family of up to 4 people. Part of the contributed amount is redeemable after 5 years. **The minimum investment is not the only thing to consider.** Applicants can also account for a Due Diligence charge, document preparation costs, identity document fees, and the cost of submitting biometric data. Total expenses depend on family size and the chosen investment structure. Under the contribution route, the total starting cost is about $140,000 for a single applicant and about $196,000 for a family of 4. **The Vanuatu citizenship by investment process** includes several stages beyond the investment. Applicants prepare personal and financial documents, undergo government Due Diligence, complete the required investment after the relevant approvals, and submit biometric data. In a typical case, the full process takes about 2—4 months. #### What applicants should check before applying Before applying, investors should look beyond the short processing time and compare the program with their family needs, budget, and long-term plans. **The full cost.** A headline figure does not show what a particular family will actually pay. Dependants, government fees, document preparation, and biometric arrangements can increase the total cost. **Family eligibility.** Not every relative can automatically be added to an application. Age, dependency, and relationship rules affect whether children or parents qualify. **The investment structure.** The contribution and fund routes work differently. Applicants should compare the initial amount, whether any capital can be recovered, how long it is committed, and how family size affects the total investment. **Priorities.** Vanuatu may appeal to applicants who value a relatively low investment threshold, a short process, and no years-long residency requirement. Another citizenship by investment program may be more suitable depending on family plans, investment preferences, and long-term goals. The right choice therefore depends on the applicant’s circumstances rather than on the minimum investment threshold or processing speed alone. #### Conclusion: Is it the right option for you? Vanuatu’s citizenship program may appeal to applicants seeking a shorter process without a lengthy residency requirement. For some wealthy Americans, that can make it a practical second-citizenship option. Contact Immigrant Invest to check your eligibility, calculate the full cost for your family, and see whether Vanuatu fits your goals. _The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented._ _Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. 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