Vanuatu citizenship for a young freelance couple | GARANT IN

Friends, we often receive requests for assistance with citizenship applications not only from businesspeople but also from regular freelancers. One might wonder why freelancers would need permanent status when over 50 countries already offer separate digital visas for such applicants. In this new case study, we will not only share the experience of freelancers obtaining citizenship but also address this question.

Client Story

About four months ago, a young couple, Vladislav and Anastasia, contacted our agency upon the recommendation of their friends:

Vladislav is an IT specialist working as a mobile app developer and is involved in cryptocurrency. He manages a small team of employees working from different parts of the world and has a registered IT company. Anastasia is a marketer who works remotely, sets up and runs targeted advertising, manages projects, and launches courses.

The couple has been working remotely for a long time, without the need to be in an office, allowing them to travel frequently. Learning about the availability of digital visas, they decided to apply for a Cyprus visa. They were fortunate to secure a spot, and for about a year, they worked from Cyprus.

However, after working under this status for some time, the couple realized that the digital nomad lifestyle wasn't entirely suitable for them. They needed to constantly remember to renew their visa, gather and submit documents for renewal in advance, and keep track of their tax residency status, ensuring they stayed in the chosen country for at least 183 days and filed tax returns according to the local legislation. Additionally, digital visas could only be renewed 1-2 times, after which they would need to apply for a residence permit or find another country to continue their digital nomad status.

We are not saying that digital nomad visas are inconvenient or bad. Many of our clients obtain such permits and are very satisfied. However, in this particular case, our clients desired a different status, which is why they came to us. Simultaneously, they asked for assistance with another issue. Payments from European clients were being received in Russian bank accounts, but due to stricter currency control procedures, these payments were often delayed. This hindered Vlad from developing his business, as it sometimes delayed employee payments. They needed an account in a European bank, which is extremely difficult for Russian citizens to open. While living in Cyprus, the couple could have opened an account in a Cypriot bank, but at the time, they chose not to burden themselves with additional paperwork. They later regretted this decision, but we assured them that the issue could be resolved!

Finding a Solution and Choosing a Program

The couple contacted our Moscow office, stating a budget of up to $200,000 for obtaining a second passport or a reliable residence permit. They also needed access to international banking services. Ideally, they wanted to achieve this as quickly as possible—their Schengen visas had expired, they had not renewed their Cyprus digital nomad visa, and they still wanted to travel and stay on the move.

Our lawyers analyzed the gathered data and conducted a preliminary background check, which helped determine which programs would be most suitable for our clients and which documents would need to be prepared.

The specified budget immediately ruled out participation in European programs, where the minimum investment threshold started at $250,000. We proposed several programs to choose from, with the most affordable and suitable option being the Vanuatu program (an island nation in Oceania). The most accessible option involved a one-time, non-refundable contribution to the development of a government fund. In our calculation, we included not only the investment amount but also government fees, bank commissions, and other related expenses. A significant advantage of the Vanuatu program was the expedited passport issuance process, which takes 1-2 months. Compared to other programs (such as those in the Caribbean), this program requires fewer documents, which can be collected and submitted remotely.

The chosen program fully met the couple's requirements:

• Visa-free travel worldwide.
• Obtaining a second passport—a reliable permanent status.
• Program within the budget of $200,000.
• The ability to open an account in a foreign bank.
• Tax optimization. Although the couple did not request this, the second passport would allow them to register their business in Vanuatu and significantly reduce tax obligations.

Key Documents for Participating in the Vanuatu Passport Program

Depending on the situation and various circumstances, the list of required documents may be supplemented by additional papers requested by the host country.

We prepared and submitted the following documents for participation in the program:

• Copies of Vlad and Anastasia's resident passports.
• Copies of the applicants' foreign passports.
• Birth certificates of both spouses.
• CVs—a brief life story of the investor, including key life events, careers, and achievements.
• Marriage certificate.
• Criminal background checks.
• Medical examination reports for both spouses.
• Photos for document insertion.
• A bank statement confirming that the applicant has $270,000 in savings remaining after the investment contribution.

Step-by-Step Program Implementation

After conducting an internal background check and selecting the program, we signed a cooperation agreement with the couple. We then began working on obtaining their passports.

The first step was to undergo a background check by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). For this, we provided copies of the investors' passports and criminal background checks. The criminal background check typically takes about 30 days to process. Thanks to our connections, we managed to obtain the document in just 5 days!

Vladislav paid the fee for the preliminary check—$5,500, which is a one-time, non-refundable payment regardless of the number of applicants. After the payment was made, we submitted the documents to the FIU. The background check is conducted within 96 hours. After 3 days, we received a positive decision and began preparing the application for the second passport.

Next, the applicants needed to confirm their financial stability. The Vanuatu authorities do not want investors to spend all their savings on obtaining citizenship. They require proof that the applicants will have at least $250,000 remaining after investing. Our clients had $270,000 in their accounts and easily obtained a bank statement confirming the necessary amount.

Our lawyers assisted in gathering the remaining documents. We then notarized, apostilled, and professionally translated them into English. The lawyers filled out the questionnaires, applications, and government forms. Within 10 days, we managed to gather the complete set of documents and submit them to the program department. Vladislav made the first payment—25% of the investment amount (the full participation amount for a married couple is $150,000).

Within 21 days, the investor's application was processed, and we received notification that our clients had been approved for Vanuatu passports! The applicants had 90 days to transfer the remaining amount. Failure to do so on time would result in the cancellation of their passport application. Vladislav transferred the remaining 75% within just 3 days.

All that remained was the final step—taking the oath. Under the program's conditions, the oath can be taken in Vanuatu or remotely by authorized officials. Since the couple's Schengen visas had expired, they could not travel to Europe. We arranged for the oath to be taken in Moscow and helped organize a meeting with the consul in our Moscow office.

The outcome of the Collaboration

After taking the oath, the couple received their naturalization certificates and new passports. It took only two months for our clients to obtain citizenship. During the meeting, Vlad and Anastasia had a pleasant conversation with the consul and were eager to learn more about their new country. The consul's story impressed them so much that they planned their next vacation in Oceania.

With their new passports, our clients now have access to the following benefits:

• The ability to travel freely around the world, with visa-free entry to over 125 countries.
• It simplified visa procedures for tourist visas to Canada, the USA, and Australia.
• The opportunity to open accounts in international banks.
• The ability to re-register their business in Vanuatu and reduce their tax burden.
• The possibility of obtaining EU residency. In Greece, Vanuatu citizens can immediately apply for a 5-year residency status.

After receiving their passports, we helped Vlad open an account in one of the European banks and transfer all transactions there. To do this, we used the assistance of our lawyers abroad. The applicant didn't even need to travel for this process. Now, all transactions are processed on time, without delays, allowing them to confidently enter into new contracts.

"We would like to sincerely thank all the specialists at the international company GARANT.in for their help in resolving our requests. We had previously approached a similar agency, but they offered us a solution that was completely unsuitable for us. Here, they helped us find a solution within a relatively modest budget, quickly assisted in obtaining the necessary documents, and resolved the issue of opening accounts. Overall, communicating with your specialists has been an extremely positive experience. They are passionate about their work, which is truly compelling! We are grateful for the assistance and very pleased with this connection."

Friends, regardless of your budget, request, or desire, don't hesitate to come to us. We work with any request and find the optimal strategy for each client. Even during the initial consultation, we will find several viable solutions and will be happy to assist you with any immigration matter.