Citizenship programme

A statement from PM Loughman said the EU Visa Waiver arrangements are a vital element in the success of the Citizenship Programme.

He said the Vanuatu Government acknowledges that there is merit in the concerns raised by the EU and understands that it is natural for the EU to raise concerns given the Bilateral Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Vanuatu on Visa Waiver arrangements.

The scheme allows foreign nationals to obtain a Vanuatu passport for US$150,000, and it accounts for about a third of government revenue.

But it's been criticised by leaders both at home and abroad.

President Tallis Obed Moses last year said the scheme undermined the unity and freedom envisioned by the country's founders.

New prime minister Bob Loughman says he wants more transparency from the programme, adding that its standards need to be improved to create jobs for ni-Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Information Centre (VIC) announced that its Development Support Programme (DSP) will allow foreigners to qualify for Vanuatu citizenship through a one-time payment of $200,000 – or its cryptocurrency equivalent.

At current market prices, this puts the price of citizenship for the so-called Paradise Islands at slightly more than 43 bitcoins.