What a Vanuatu Passport Gives Russian Citizens

Advantages of Vanuatu Citizenship

No visa is required for Russian citizens to travel to Vanuatu. Holders of a Russian international passport can stay in this country for up to 180 days a year (continuous stays may not exceed 90 days).

By obtaining this country's passport, Russian citizens gain the following set of advantages:

• eligibility for Commonwealth of Nations scholarships at universities in the United Kingdom;
• a reduced tax burden (international companies registered in this country are exempt from taxes for 20 years);
• the ability to obtain citizenship for close relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 25, and parents over 50).

A fast passport-processing timeline is another advantage of obtaining this country's citizenship. On average, the document is ready within 2 months of application.

Of course, processing speed is not the only advantage of the investment program. For example, under current restrictions, Vanuatu passport holders can apply for a Greek residence permit as holders of an alternative citizenship. To do this, they need to purchase residential or commercial property worth from 250,000 euros, or invest a similar or slightly larger amount in the local economy.

To obtain a passport, Russian citizens do not need to travel to Vanuatu in person. Issuing the document confirming the status of a new citizen requires a mandatory oath-taking procedure. However, Russian citizens can arrange the meeting and oath ceremony with a Vanuatu immigration official at any location convenient for them, covering all travel and event costs.

Visa-Free Travel

Vanuatu is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. This means holders of this country's passport automatically gain the ability to cross the UK border visa-free and stay in the country for up to 6 months a year, continuously.

Until May 2022, Vanuatu citizens could also travel visa-free throughout the countries of the European Union. Today, this option for Vanuatu citizens has been suspended by the European Council, though the country's government is making every effort to help its citizens regain this benefit as soon as possible.

That is why anyone wondering what Vanuatu citizenship provides should above all pay attention to future prospects for free movement: besides visa-free access to the United Kingdom, citizens can also travel to Singapore, Hong Kong, and the territories of another 93 countries.

And that's not the entire list of advantages: the country's citizens can apply for a US tourist visa under a simplified procedure (this visa is valid for 5 years), visit the Russian Federation visa-free, use the country's banking system, and optimize taxes.

The Prospect of Visa-Free Australia

Today, Vanuatu citizens need a visa to visit Australia. The exception is people crossing the country's border in transit. However, this may all change soon.

In early February of this year, the country's prime minister met with Australia's prime minister. The countries' leaders discussed possible ways to bring migration policy closer together and ease it. This means that obtaining a Vanuatu passport and citizenship could soon become direct grounds for visa-free travel to the home of kangaroos and Sydney's stunning opera house.

Scholarships at British Universities and Tax Optimization

What does a Vanuatu passport give you? The list of advantages above is not exhaustive. Citizens of this country can receive grants and scholarships intended for students at UK universities.

The main criterion affecting eligibility for the scholarship is the average diploma grade. In most cases, funding is granted for a year and can be extended.

Vanuatu has a favorable tax system. There is no tax on luxury, inheritance, or income earned outside the country. In addition, owners of international business companies are exempt from taxes (in this case, entrepreneurs must pay only $300 a year to the country's budget).