A single adult pays USD 102,700 for Nauru citizenship by investment and USD 135,000 plus VUV 5,000 for Vanuatu. A couple with two children under 18 pays USD 115,700 or USD 185,000. Both sets of figures are government fees only and exclude professional fees. Nauru is cheaper because of a discount that ends on 31 December 2026.
Updated 10 November 2026 · Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319, Amir Ismail & Associates
Primary sources: Naoero Program Office fee schedule · Vanuatu Citizenship Office fee schedule
What would a single applicant or a family of four pay?
A single adult pays USD 102,700 in Nauru and USD 135,000 in Vanuatu. A couple with two children under 18 pays USD 115,700 or USD 185,000.
These examples assume one principal applicant, an adult spouse where shown, and no outside benefactor. The Nauru examples use the November 2026 offer. VUV denotes Vanuatu vatu.
| Household | Nauru subtotal, passports included | Vanuatu subtotal, passport charges not listed |
|---|---|---|
| One adult | USD 102,700 | USD 135,000 + VUV 5,000 |
| Couple with children aged 10 and 14 | USD 115,700 | USD 185,000 + VUV 5,000 |
| Couple with children aged 14 and 17 | USD 120,700 | USD 185,000 + VUV 5,000 |
How the Nauru figures add up. For one adult, add USD 90,000 contribution, 5,000 application, 6,000 due diligence, 1,200 bank charges and 500 for the passport. For two adults and two children under 16, the same five amounts are USD 92,000, 11,000, 9,000, 1,700 and 2,000. A child aged 16 or 17 adds USD 2,000 to the contribution and USD 3,000 to due diligence. Naoero Program Office fee schedule
How the Vanuatu figures add up. The Citizenship Office lists USD 130,000 for a single applicant, USD 150,000 for a married couple, USD 165,000 with one child under 18 and USD 180,000 with two, plus USD 10,000 per additional applicant. The examples add the listed USD 5,000 FIU diligence fee and the VUV 5,000 application fee charged per application on lodgement. The fee schedule lists no passport charge, so ask your designated agent for a written quote covering passports, document preparation, certification, delivery and agent fees before comparing final invoices.
Which filings qualify for Nauru’s USD 25,000 discount?
Applications filed before 31 December 2026 qualify. The discount cuts the principal contribution to USD 90,000 from the listed USD 115,000.
The program office states the reduction applies from 3 February 2026 to all current or new applications filed before 31 December 2026. If you plan to file on December 31 itself, get written confirmation before budgeting for the discount. The filing date matters even though the contribution is paid after approval.
Can children, parents and siblings apply together?
Yes. Nauru covers a spouse, dependent children, parents and siblings. Vanuatu covers a spouse, children and a dependent parent over 50.
The Nauru citizenship by investment program lists USD 15,000 per sibling of the principal applicant or spouse. For an eligible adult parent added to a single adult’s Nauru application, the listed incremental fees total USD 8,000: USD 2,000 contribution, USD 2,000 application, USD 3,000 diligence, USD 500 extra bank charges and USD 500 for a passport. Confirm dependency and the applicable fees before filing. Official family eligibility FAQ
Vanuatu’s Development Support Program regulations expressly cover a parent of either spouse who is over 50, lives with the applicant or spouse, and depends on them. They also cover children aged 18 to 25 in full-time education who live with or depend on the applicant or spouse. For a family including a parent, prepare household and financial support evidence. Vanuatu Development Support Program regulations
How long does approval take, and when is payment due?
Nauru takes three to four months from submission to approval. Vanuatu publishes no estimate. Both collect the main payment only after approval.
In Nauru the agent files the application and diligence fees first. The applicant completes screening and an interview, pays the contribution after approval, then completes the citizenship and passport steps. Allow separate time for passport issuance. Nauru application process
Vanuatu collects its application fee on lodgement and the citizenship fee after approval. Because its schedule gives no processing estimate, ask the designated agent for separate estimates for clearance, the decision, the oath and passport delivery. The Citizenship Office specifies US dollars for program payments and rejects cryptocurrency. Vanuatu payment and oath notice
Can you keep your current citizenship?
Yes. Both Nauru and Vanuatu allow dual citizenship, and Nauru sets no minimum stay. Check your own country’s nationality law before filing.
Some countries withdraw status when a citizen acquires another nationality, so confirm this first if keeping your original passport is essential. For Vanuatu, confirm oath arrangements before making travel plans. Vanuatu Citizenship Office on dual citizenship · Naoero Program Office
Do Nauru and Vanuatu passports allow visa-free UK or Schengen travel?
No. Nauru and Vanuatu are both on the UK visa national list, and Germany lists both as needing an entry visa for the Schengen Area.
The UK Immigration Rules name Nauru at entry 074 and Vanuatu at entry 110 on Appendix Visitor: Visa national list, which was last updated on 29 October 2026. Germany’s entry requirement table, dated 3 June 2026, marks both countries yes for an entry visa with no exemption footnote.
| Ordinary passport and destination | Short visitor trips |
|---|---|
| Vanuatu to United Kingdom | Visitor visa required. Listed at entry 110. UK visitor visa national list |
| Nauru to United Kingdom | Visitor visa required. Listed at entry 074. UK visitor visa national list |
| Vanuatu to Schengen Area | Visa required. Germany lists Vanuatu as requiring an entry visa, and Regulation (EU) 2025/11 amends the EU visa list as regards Vanuatu. Germany entry visa list · Regulation (EU) 2025/11 |
| Nauru to Schengen Area | Visa required. Germany lists Nauru as requiring an entry visa. Confirm with the destination consulate before booking. Germany entry visa list |
Should you choose Nauru or Vanuatu citizenship by investment?
Nauru costs less in every household above. Vanuatu gives an explicit dependency test for a parent over 50 and has run its program for longer.
If your main concern is an older parent, Vanuatu’s regulations give a test you can check against your circumstances. If you price Vanuatu, keep the Development Support Program separate from its Capital Investment Immigration Plan (Form D), which uses a different schedule: USD 250 application, USD 260,000 citizenship fee covering applicant, spouse and one child under 18, USD 19,250 per extra child under 18 and USD 44,250 per dependent aged 18 to 21. Vanuatu Citizenship Office fee schedule
Due diligence is where either application is most likely to fail, and the fees above are not refundable on refusal. Read why citizenship by investment applications get refused before you file, and compare the wider market in our guide to citizenship by investment programmes. For a Caribbean alternative at a similar price, see Nauru vs Dominica.
If your goal is a US E-2 treaty investor visa, neither nationality independently establishes treaty eligibility. Applicants considering that route can review the US State Department treaty list and our Dominica and Grenada E-2 comparison.
For an assessment of your household, bring each applicant’s age, relationship, current nationality and intended travel destinations. Book a strategy consultation with Amir Ismail & Associates.
Who wrote this comparison?
Amir Ismail is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R412319) and principal consultant at Amir Ismail & Associates, a CICC-regulated firm in practice since 1991 with offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. The firm advises on Canadian immigration, US immigration and citizenship and residency by investment, and does not provide legal opinions. Figures in this comparison were checked against the Naoero Program Office and Vanuatu Citizenship Office fee schedules on 10 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does the USD 90,000 Nauru contribution include a passport?
The passport is a separate USD 500 charge. A single applicant’s illustrated subtotal is USD 102,700 with the passport, application, diligence and bank fees, before professional and document costs.
How does a teenager affect the family budget?
In Nauru, a dependent turning 16 adds USD 5,000 across the contribution and diligence charges. Both Vanuatu examples use the same DSP bracket because both children are under 18.
Does Nauru’s three-to-four-month estimate include passport delivery?
The fee schedule measures submission to citizenship approval. Passport application and issuance follow approval.
Can my spouse’s parent qualify under Vanuatu’s DSP?
The DSP regulations cover a lawful parent of either spouse who is over 50, lives with the applicant or spouse and depends on them.
Can one of these passports support a US E-2 application?
Neither country appears on the US E-2 treaty list. Someone with another nationality can assess eligibility under that nationality separately.
Can I travel visa-free to the UK with a Nauru or Vanuatu passport?
No. The UK visa national list includes Nauru at entry 074 and Vanuatu at entry 110, so a visitor visa is required for short visits.
Are the Nauru and Vanuatu citizenship programs government run?
Yes. Nauru runs its program through the Naoero Program Office and Vanuatu through the Citizenship Office. Regulation (EU) 2025/11 amends the EU visa list as regards Vanuatu, so confirm current travel rules before you file.
