Press release by Ministry of Interior, Vanuatu
Department of Vanuatu Immigration services clarifies “we do not sell Vanuatu Passports under Vanuatu’s Citizenship Program”
The Department of Immigration and Passport services Through the Directors Office would like to clarify to the people of Vanuatu that the mentioned office does not sell Vanuatu passports under Vanuatu’s citizenship program currently undertaken in countries abroad.
According to Director of Immigration and Passport Services, obtaining a passport is a citizenship benefit, He said “Possessing a passport is a citizenship benefit which the government is obligated to meet after an applicant who wishes to become Vanuatu citizen is being awarded a citizenship certificate.”
The Director would like to have it clarified that the Department of Immigration and Passport Services only collects fees to produce the passports before immigration officers travel abroad to deliver the passports to Vanuatu citizens abroad who are successful applicants under the Vanuatu Citizenship act. Prices charged per applicant range from 7,000 VT to have a passport produced in twenty-one (21) days, 10,000 VT to have a passport produced in ten (10) Days, and 15,000 VT to have a passport produced in three (3) days.
According to Director Markson, Vanuatu immigration services officers are subjected under Vanuatu’s Passport Act to deliver the passports to successful applicants who have been awarded a citizenship certificate from Agents under Vanuatu’s citizenship program.
Director Jeffery Markson reiterated that passports are being given only to Vanuatu Citizens which would imply that an applicant would have to become a Vanuatu Citizen by successfully applying for a citizenship certificate before being issued a Vanuatu passport.
Department of Immigration & Passport Services
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
