Recently a story surfaced regarding Farhat Shahzadi aka Farah Gogi that she traveled outside Pakistan on a Vanuatu passport since then Pakistanis must have been wondering where is Vanuatu. Is this a very renowned country? or how can one apply for citizenship there?

These are the questions that we have got answers for.

Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands formerly known as the New Hebrides, which gained independence from France and Britain in 1980.

Stunning landscapes, beautiful untouched waters, WWII shipwrecks, rich history and culture, friendly island people, an active volcano, fresh seafood, award-winning chocolate, the world’s only underwater post office, and Kava. There are almost too many reasons to visit Vanuatu.

A significant portion of the population resides in rural areas, engaging in subsistence agriculture. The local culture is deeply rooted in traditions, with women generally holding lower social status than men and having limited access to education.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 continues on its road and will be held in September with the East Asia Pacific (EAP) regional qualifying event taking place in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Do Pakistan citizens need a visa for Vanuatu?

Pakistan citizens do not need a tourist visa when travelling to Vanuatu in 2023. Pakistan passport holders can stay in Vanuatu for a short period of time (for 30 days).

Vanuatu & Pakistan comparison

Vanuatu’s area is approximately 12,190 km2 (4,706 sq mi), while the area of Pakistan is approximately 770,880 km2 (297,638 sq mi). This means Pakistan is 63.24 times bigger than Vanuatu.

As of November 2023, Vanuatu’s population is ~329443 people - 233,816,437 fewer people than the population of Pakistan.

How can you apply for Vanuatu citizenship?

Vanuatu offers one of the fastest routes to acquire citizenship through investment, with applications expected to receive preliminary approval within a timeframe of 12 weeks.

Designated agencies can acquire citizenship certificates without the need for additional journeys. Fortunately, the government does not demand applicants to take a language test in any of Vanuatu’s three official languages – English, French, and Bislama – which would require considerable effort to learn. One can get a passport by investing $130,000.

Vanuatu’s Development Support Programme (DSP) presents a chance to pursue Citizenship by Investment (CBI). Tourists, particularly from Australia and New Zealand, play a crucial role in contributing to Vanuatu’s GDP. China is increasing its engagement in Vanuatu, primarily through investments and loans.