Compare CBI Schemes in Vanuatu or Nauru

Many high-net-worth people are looking for Citizenship by Investment schemes as their home countries encounter increasing financial instability and unrest. These programmes provide considerable benefits, including improved travel mobility, the ability to legally claim another residence, and greater financial and legal security. 

We’ll compare the Citizenship by Investment programmes of the Republic of Vanuatu with the Economic Citizenship and Residency by Contribution (NECRCP) of the Republic of Nauru and see which offers the greatest benefits. 

Our Nauru or Vanuatu passport comparison will measure six factors, including:

• 1. Investment requirements and fee structures
• 2. Eligibility and compliance criteria
• 3. Global mobility advantages
• 4. Due diligence procedures
• 5. Application and approval processes
• 6. Post approval options

1. Investment Requirements and Fee Structures

Nauru

The Republic of Nauru offers a slightly less expensive scheme than the Republic of Vanuatu. Nauru’s scheme requires a contribution of USD 105,000 per single applicant. A family of two to four people is required to contribute USD 110,000, and a family of five or more requires a USD 115,000 contribution. Each additional family member requires an additional USD 15,000 contribution.  

Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu requires a minimum investment of USD 130,000 per single applicant. The contribution for married couples is USD 150,000. Families of up to six people will need to contribute USD 200,000.

It’s important to remember that although Nauru’s required minimum contribution is less expensive, additional costs and fees involved in the processing may make the total costs comparable to Vanuatu’s. For instance, Nauru’s application fee costs between USD 25,000 and USD 30,000. The due diligence fees range between USD 7,500 and USD 10,000 per applicant. Each applicant must also pay a passport fee of USD 500. 

2. Eligibility and Compliance Factors 

Nauru

Nauru has fairly strict eligibility requirements. Applicants must be of legal age and must accompany their application with notarized and viable financial and personal documents. They must also provide police certifications for ten years from their home countries and have no criminal convictions with sentences of twelve months or more. Applicants must not appear on UN and INTERPOL sanctions lists. Nauru also requires a formal interview and an oath of allegiance. Non-compliance with any of these requirements will result in application disqualification.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s eligibility requirements and criteria are similar to Nauru’s, but more straightforward. People applying must be of legal age and they’re required to submit notarized financial and personal documents. There is no interview or oath requirement. However, they will undergo a due diligence review of the submitted documents and any non-compliance will be grounds for disqualification. 

3. Global Mobility Advantages

Both Nauru’s and Vanuatu’s passports offer valuable travel mobility. Still, Vanuatu’s passport allows access to over 90 countries, while Nauru’s passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to close to 89-100 countries. 

Nauru

Nauru offers visa-free travel to 89-100 countries, including:

• United Kingdom 
• Israel
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates 

The Nauru CBI scheme also offers visa-on-arrival travel to:

• Cape Verde
• Egypt
• Maldives 
• Thailand 

Vanuatu

Visa-free travel under a Vanuatu passport is available to over 90 countries, including:

• Singapore
• Russia
• Malaysia

Visa-on-arrival travel is available to:

• Egypt
• Maldives
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand 
• Macau

4. Due Diligence Process

Both countries have a due diligence process as part of their application procedures. The process is conducted by government authorities in both countries, and they may work with external screening agencies. 

Nauru

As part of the due diligence process, applicants for the Nauru CBI scheme (aged 16 or older) must undergo a formal interview. The due diligence process can take up to 90 days. 

Vanuatu

The processing time for the due diligence portion of the application is approximately 60 days, and the applicants are not required to interview.  

5. Application and Approval Process

Both countries require applications to be submitted through a licensed agent. However, the application and approval processes differ between the two countries beyond the use of agents. 

Nauru 

Once an application is submitted and received, an administrative review is conducted, which includes due diligence checks and reviews by the Financial Intelligence Unit. Applicants may also be required to attend a video or in-person interview. The application is then subject to Ministerial recommendation and Cabinet approval. Once approved, the applicant is given a 30-day window in which to make the required payment. After payment is received, a Certificate of Citizenship is issued, and the passport is processed and delivered to the applicant. 

Vanuatu   

Under the Vanuatu process, the applicant submits their application through the licensed agent. The application and accompanying documents are then subjected to the due diligence process. The passport is issued to the applicant upon satisfactory completion of due diligence.  

6. Post-approval Considerations

Nauru

Nauru allows family members to be added after the original application is approved. The cost of adding a spouse is USD 25,000, and a child can be added for USD 20,000. Nauru also allows access to law enforcement and regulatory agencies for monitoring purposes. 

Vanuatu

Once citizenship is granted, Vanuatu allows dependents who were listed in the original application to be included under the original contribution. However, no additions are permitted post-approval. 

Conclusion

Nauru’s and Vanuatu’s CBI schemes offer considerable benefits, including legal security, residence diversification, and global mobility. The final cost for these two passports may be comparable after all the processing fees and contributions are considered. However, the desire for visa-free access to specific destinations and the needs of your family members may factor into your choice of a second passport. Schedule an initial meeting with the experts at Premier Consultancy Group Thailand before making your decision.