Vanuatu has signed the Nakamal Agreement with Australia, committing to distinguish investor citizens from other nationals and including an undefined mobility benefit. The agreement has been signed but is not yet in force.
A Q1 2026 survey of citizenship-by-investment programs found that half became faster, with Italy overtaking Vanuatu as the fastest program and Dominica also accelerating. Portugal's processing times slipped below its previous record.
Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe each offer citizenship by investment programs, with entry points starting at approximately $90,000 (São Tomé and Príncipe), $130,000 (Vanuatu), and an unspecified amount for Nauru. Vanuatu's program is described as the most established of the three.
A video compares the cost and structure of several citizenship-by-investment programs for families of four, covering options in São Tomé and Príncipe, Nauru, Sierra Leone, Vanuatu, St. Lucia, Grenada, Turkey, and Egypt. The comparison focuses on incremental per-person costs and program competitiveness for family applicants.
Processing times for Vanuatu citizenship applications reportedly vary significantly depending on the agent used, with some approvals completed in 30 days and others taking up to 6 months. The variation is attributed to agent competence and preparation rather than the program itself.