During Christmas, a festive time, the Pattaya police were busy catching a South Korean fraudster in a 40-story luxury apartment.
It is said that the gang this person belonged to has been operating an illegal online gambling site for over 5 years, setting up more than 80 bank accounts to move funds, totaling about 3 billion RMB.
Upon investigation, this South Korean also had a Vanuatu passport.
Speaking of Vanuatu, you might be familiar with it.
Back in June this year, the Philippines Bureau of Immigration intercepted a man named Alex with a Vanuatu passport at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
However, he did not speak English, the official language of Vanuatu, but spoke fluent Chinese and used a Chinese language mobile phone.
As you might have guessed, yes, this Alex is actually Chinese.
This is not the first case of a Chinese person holding a Vanuatu passport.
A few days ago, another Chinese person holding a Vanuatu passport was stopped from exiting the country because he could not speak English.
So, what is Vanuatu? Why do many people choose to obtain citizenship and a passport from there?
Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific, is an island nation east of Australia and west of Fiji, consisting of over 80 islands. It is known for its natural scenery, friendly people, and relatively low tax environment.
The capital is Port Vila, with a population of about 300,000. The official languages are English, French, and Bislama.
It has a tropical climate, warm and humid throughout the year, with agriculture, tourism, and offshore financial services as its main industries.
Many people, due to "complicated" experiences, dare not return to their home country. As a natural person, one needs a legal identity. What to do? Obtain citizenship in another country.
Vanuatu is an excellent choice for this. (Vanuatu, marked in red in the image below)
Firstly, obtaining citizenship in Vanuatu is straightforward. The simplest way to obtain citizenship and a passport is through an investment citizenship program.
Vanuatu's "Development Support Program" (DSP) allows foreign citizens to obtain Vanuatu citizenship by making a donation.
Minimum investment: A donation of at least $130,000 (for a single applicant), with potentially higher amounts for family applications.
PS: The donation in Vanuatu's investment citizenship program is non-refundable. This donation goes directly into Vanuatu's "National Development Support Fund" (NDSF).
Application process:
- Submit a preliminary application and pay the application fee.
- Complete a background check.
- After confirmation of eligibility, make the donation.
- Receive a citizenship certificate and passport.
Application time: Usually about 1-2 months, the process is fast.
What are the advantages of obtaining citizenship in Vanuatu?
1. Visa-free entry to about 130 countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Fiji, South Korea (visa-free for 90 days), Japan (visa-free for 90 days), Ireland, Iceland, Greece, Norway, and Sweden.
Although it does not allow visa-free entry to the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, it essentially includes major countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands.
2. No global income tax (including personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, etc.), making it an ideal tax planning option for high-net-worth individuals (like the ones mentioned).
3. No residency requirements. During and after the application process for a Vanuatu passport, there is no requirement for the applicant to reside in Vanuatu.
4. Vanuatu allows dual citizenship, so there is no need to give up your original nationality. Retaining your existing identity while gaining the convenience of a second nationality is tempting, isn't it?
More importantly, the process of applying for a Vanuatu passport is straightforward, usually not requiring language skills, educational qualifications, or a business background check.
Vanuatu is not a CRS (Common Reporting Standard) country, so passport holders do not need to worry about their bank accounts and asset information in their home country being automatically shared.
In terms of living environment, Vanuatu is a Pacific island nation with relatively stable politics and economy, no international disputes, a peaceful pace of life, and a beautiful environment, making it an ideal "hideaway".
However, Vanuatu's citizenship by investment program (VDSP) is not that simple; there are still requirements!
Age requirement:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with a maximum age limit of 65 years.
No criminal record:
- Applicants and their family members (aged 16 and above) must provide a no criminal record certificate.
- Not involved in terrorism, money laundering, or other serious criminal activities.
Some newcomers might wonder, how can these people obtain a no criminal record certificate?
Answer: If the financial capability is in place, it's just about issuing a certificate, which won't be entered into the system, so it can be done. However, if you are on the Interpol red notice, then it's a different story. After all, the red notice is issued by Interpol, and most countries can see and check it.
Minimum donation amount:
- The main applicant must donate at least $130,000 to Vanuatu's "National Development Support Fund" (NDSF) (excluding government fees and intermediary fees).
- If including family members (spouse and minor children), the cost will increase accordingly.
Asset proof:
- Applicants must provide proof of at least $250,000 in net assets (liquid funds, real estate, stocks, etc.).
- Must be able to prove the legality of the funds' source.
Health condition:
Applicants and their family members must provide a health certificate, free from major infectious diseases or public health risks.
Eligibility of family members:
- Spouse.
- Minor children under 18 years old (or economically dependent children aged 18 to 25).
- The applicant's parents (must be at least 50 years old and economically dependent on the main applicant).
In addition to Vanuatu, many gray industry individuals also choose to obtain citizenship in Cameroon
Like Vanuatu, Cameroon also offers citizenship through long-term residence, marriage, descent, special contributions, and investment.
However, the specific investment amount is not available from PASA, and those interested can obtain the latest information through Cameroon's embassies abroad or the domestic Ministry of the Interior.
Citizenship application process:
1. Prepare documents:
- Fill out the citizenship application form.
- Provide proof of residence, proof of income, and a no criminal record certificate.
- Submit copies of the passport, birth certificate, and health certificate.
2. Submit the application:
The application must be submitted to the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Cameroon.
3. Background check:
The authorities will conduct a background check on the applicant, including financial status, no criminal record, and social integration.
4. Language test (if applicable):
The applicant may need to pass an English or French proficiency test.
5. Cabinet approval:
The President of Cameroon ultimately approves the citizenship application.
6. Oath ceremony:
Once the application is approved, the applicant must participate in a citizenship oath ceremony.
Advantages after obtaining citizenship:
Free to work and start businesses in Cameroon, enjoying local treatment.
Allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to many African countries as well as some Asian and Caribbean countries.
Eligible for preferential or free policies in public education and medical services in Cameroon.
Some land or real estate in Cameroon is only available to citizens; after obtaining citizenship, full property rights are granted.
Although Cameroon has many restrictions on dual citizenship, it may be possible to retain the original nationality through a special application.
It facilitates participation in the economic activities of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
Comparing the two, obtaining citizenship in Cameroon is more suitable for applicants planning to expand business or invest in resource industries in Africa for the long term. Vanuatu citizenship, with its visa-free advantages, tax optimization, fast processing, and flexible residency requirements, attracts high-net-worth individuals seeking a globalized lifestyle.
However, for many people, the threshold of tens of thousands of dollars is still daunting!
