Vanuatu citizenship after the loss of Schengen visa-free access

By what mechanism does Vanuatu citizenship work?

Vanuatu citizenship is granted through the Pacific island nation's citizenship-by-investment programme, with the common route being a contribution to the government. The programme was once famous for its short processing times, streamlined procedures and no physical residency requirements, making it talked about as one of the fastest routes to a second passport.

Those same characteristics — speed and compactness — later became the focus of criticism. When evaluating Vanuatu citizenship today, two questions need to be separated: how the programme operates, and how much travel value its passport retains after recent policy changes.

Turning point: loss of Schengen visa exemption

The biggest change to Vanuatu citizenship is the loss of visa-free access to the Schengen area. The European Union partially suspended it from 2022, and by the end of 2024, the Council of the European Union completely ended visa exemption, removing Vanuatu from the visa exemption list. From then on, Vanuatu citizens must apply for a Schengen visa before entering the EU.

This is a key difference compared to the Caribbean programmes: the Caribbean group currently still has Schengen visa exemption rights despite being threatened with review, while Vanuatu has actually lost this right. For investors seeking a passport for travel to Europe, this is a fact that fundamentally changes the value of the programme.

Why did the EU withdraw visa exemption rights?

The reason given by the European Union focuses on appraisal standards. The bloc's authorities raised concerns about the level of applicant screening and security risks, leading to the decision to withdraw visa exemption. This is a case that shows the direct consequences when a programme is assessed as lacking rigor at the in-depth appraisal stage.

For those considering it, this development carries a broader lesson: the travel value of an investment passport is closely tied to whether the issuing country maintains appraisal standards acceptable to international partners. A programme that is too fast and compact may come at the expense of the sustainability of the travel rights it promises.

Remaining Vanuatu passport value

Despite losing Schengen visa exemption, the Vanuatu passport still provides visa-free or facilitated visa access to many destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. For investors whose travel needs are concentrated in these areas, that value still remains, even though it does not include Europe as before.

It is important to read the mix of destinations correctly rather than the total number. Two passports with the same number of destinations can serve two different sets of needs. For people needing access to North America or Western Europe, Vanuatu citizenship after this change does not solve their problem; for people with different needs, it may still be suitable.

Lessons on the sustainability of the right to travel

The case of Vanuatu clearly illustrates that the visa-free scope of any passport is the result of agreements between governments, and can be reviewed, suspended or terminated for reasons beyond the control of the passport holder. Using current travel range as the basis for a long-term plan is an imprudent bet.

It also shows why a programme's assessment standards should be seen as a positive signal, not a barrier. An intensive due diligence programme better protects the long-term value of the passport, while speed and ease may signal the risk of further tightening by international partners.

Verify before considering

Before considering Vanuatu citizenship, actual travel needs should be clearly identified and compared with the current visa exemption scope of this passport – which has changed and may continue to change. Information about visa-free status should be checked at official sources rather than relying on outdated marketing materials.

With decisions that have legal and tax implications, and Vietnam's nationality rules on holding multiple nationalities, a licensed immigration attorney and an advisor with cross-border expertise should be consulted. This article provides information to help ask the right questions and is not a substitute for individualized advice.