Vanuatu pays special attention to the legal integrity of candidates applying for citizenship through the investment program. One of the mandatory requirements is the submission of a police clearance certificate—a document that confirms the absence of criminal convictions or ongoing criminal cases for the applicant. This policy is aimed at protecting the country’s international reputation, as Vanuatu citizenship provides access to visa-free travel to dozens of countries and can be used for business expansion, tax planning, or capital relocation. Background checks allow Vanuatu to ensure that future citizens are not involved in criminal activities, financial fraud, or terrorist threats.

What is the PPC form and where to get it?

The PPC (Police Clearance Certificate) form is a standard document that confirms the absence of a criminal record. The applicant is required to provide a PPC from their current country of citizenship, as well as from any other country where they have resided for more than six months in the past 10 years. This is especially important for individuals leading an international lifestyle. The document must be issued by authorized government bodies—typically the Ministry of Internal Affairs, police, or similar institutions. Obtaining a PPC can take anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on the country. Sometimes additional legalization of the document is required: through an apostille (for countries participating in the Hague Convention) or a consular procedure (for others). Current requirements for a Vanuatu police clearance form should be clarified in advance, as only fresh documents are accepted — no older than 3–6 months at the time of submission.

The main requirements for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program offers a simplified path to obtaining a second passport but requires compliance with several conditions. The main criterion is a financial contribution. The applicant is required to make a donation to the National Development Fund. At the time of writing, the minimum amount for a single applicant is $130,000, and for a family of four, approximately $180,000. It is also important to confirm the legality of the source of funds: the applicant must provide bank statements, tax returns, or other documents demonstrating the transparency of their capital. In addition to a certificate of no criminal record, a background check is conducted for sanctions, convictions, and criminal proceedings. The applicant must not be listed in Interpol’s database, under investigation, or involved in cases related to terrorism, money laundering, or violations of international law.

What other documents will be needed to submit the application?

To obtain Vanuatu citizenship, it is necessary to prepare a legally accurate set of documents. Required: a copy of the international passport (valid for at least 6 months), birth certificate, resume indicating education, career, and current activities, documents on marital status (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, children’s birth certificates), bank account statements for 6–12 months, proof of income sources (e.g., tax returns, investment reports, documents on business or property), two recommendation letters from professionals (lawyer, auditor, etc.), as well as a police clearance certificate. All Vanuatu citizenship requirements are necessary to strictly adhere, without discrepancies in names, dates, or document numbers. All papers must be translated into English by a sworn translator and notarized.

Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

In practice, the most common mistakes are related to insufficient preparation and lack of knowledge of administrative requirements. Many candidates submit certificates without the necessary legalization, attach outdated documents, forget to include family members in the application, or make discrepancies in surnames and dates. Cases often arise where bank statements are submitted that do not meet the minimum requirements or are not properly translated. Such inaccuracies can lead to the suspension of the process or even rejection of the application. To avoid such situations, it is recommended to work from the very beginning with a lawyer or an accredited agent familiar with the submission system and Vanuatu regulations. Professional support will help coordinate document collection, avoid errors, and speed up the review process. With proper preparation, the entire process from submission to obtaining a passport takes 6 to 10 weeks.