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Vanuatu and Russia dual citizenship: can you keep both passports in 2026

9 min read ·

Vanuatu has recognised dual citizenship since 2014, so the Russian passport stays. There is no faster passport, but Schengen is gone with it: since 2025 the EU requires a visa permanently.

In short

Yes. Since 2014 the Constitution of Vanuatu has allowed dual citizenship and there is no need to give up a previous passport, while Russia allows a second citizenship provided you notify the Interior Ministry.

Previous passport on naturalisationKept
Country ruleNo need to give up your previous citizenship
Legal basisVanuatu Citizenship Act
What Russia requiresnotify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
CheckedOctober 2026

Both countries allow a second passport, and for a Russian citizen Vanuatu is one of the fastest ways to get one: no relocation, language or exam. The question is not whether the Russian passport stays but what the Vanuatu one gives. After 2025 the answer is noticeably more modest than five years ago.

What Vanuatu requires on naturalisation

Vanuatu has recognised dual citizenship since 2014, when the 2013 constitutional amendment came into force. Ordinary naturalisation requires at least 10 years of continuous residence and an exam in Bislama; through marriage to a citizen, at least 2 years of living in Vanuatu.

Almost all Russian citizens take another route: the citizenship programme for a contribution to the national development fund. The contribution starts at $130,000 for a single applicant and $180,000 for a family of 4, plus a due diligence fee of about $5,000. A decision usually takes 1-3 months, and there is no residence or exam requirement. Russian citizens are eligible for the programme.

What Russia requires

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, but inside the country treats you only as a Russian citizen (Article 10 of Federal Law No. 138-FZ on Citizenship).

  • Within 60 days of receiving the second passport, file a notification with the Interior Ministry (MVD). If you are abroad at that moment, the period runs from the day you enter Russia.
  • Attach a copy of the foreign passport or another document proving the citizenship.
  • Failure to notify falls under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code: a fine of up to $2,400 or up to one year of income, or up to 400 hours of compulsory work.
  • Late or incomplete notification: a fine of $10-15 under Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences.
  • A residence permit abroad must be reported under the same rules (Article 11 of Law No. 138-FZ).

A Russian citizen with a second passport may not hold state or municipal office, serve in government bodies or stand for election. The duties of a Russian citizen, including military service, remain, and inside Russia the second passport is not taken into account.

How to keep both passports: step by step

  1. Gather documents: passport, criminal record certificate, proof of the source of funds, birth and marriage certificates.
  2. Apply through an appointed agent from the citizenship office's official list.
  3. Pass the financial intelligence unit's checks and wait for the commission's decision: usually 1-3 months.
  4. Pay the contribution after approval and take the oath.
  5. Give biometrics and collect the Vanuatu passport; the Russian one stays valid.
  6. Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

Under the programme rules, applications from people with a criminal record are not approved. The programme does not involve taking part in the country's political life, such as voting in elections.

What happens to children

A child of a Vanuatu citizen gets citizenship by descent. One programme application can include a spouse, children and parents. A child with Russian and Vanuatu citizenship keeps both passports.

Taxes and military service

Vanuatu has no personal income tax, but citizenship alone does not cut your taxes: tax residence depends on where you live, not on your passport. Russia has no double tax treaty with Vanuatu. In 2026 Vanuatu remains on the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, and banks look closely at such a passport.

Vanuatu has no army and no compulsory military service. A Russian citizen's military duty remains.

Common mistakes

  • Counting on Schengen. Since 3 February 2025 the EU has put Vanuatu on its list of countries with a permanent visa requirement.
  • Applying through an unofficial intermediary. Applications are accepted only from appointed agents on the official list.
  • Expecting lower taxes from a passport alone without changing where you live.
  • Missing the notice to the Russian Interior Ministry about Vanuatu citizenship: the deadline is 60 days.

How to get Vanuatu citizenship

For Russian citizens the realistic route is the contribution programme: from $130,000 for a single applicant and 1-3 months to a decision. The passport gives 86 visa-free destinations, but Schengen and the UK require a visa.

Requirements, timelines and costs are on the page Vanuatu citizenship.

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

The main risk is a passport that does not do what you expect

The law does not stop you from applying for Vanuatu citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the contribution: an application through an intermediary not on the official list, an undocumented source of funds, expecting Schengen access or tax benefits the passport does not give, a missed notice to the Russian Interior Ministry. Murblz support removes these risks: Murblz specialists match your goal with what the passport can do, prepare the file and proof of the source of funds and run the application until the passport is issued. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.

The support fee depends on family size; a manager will calculate it in chat.

Find out the support fee

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

More on this country:

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

FAQ

Can you hold Vanuatu and Russian citizenship at the same time?
Yes. Since 2014 the Constitution of Vanuatu has allowed dual citizenship and there is no need to give up a previous passport, while Russia allows a second citizenship provided you notify the Interior Ministry.
Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Vanuatu citizenship?
Yes. A Russian citizen notifies the Interior Ministry of a second citizenship within 60 days under Article 10 of Law No. 138-FZ; failing to notify carries criminal liability under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Does Vanuatu allow dual citizenship?
Yes, since 2014, when the constitutional amendment came into force. You do not have to give up a previous citizenship.
How much does Vanuatu citizenship cost?
A contribution from $130,000 for a single applicant and from $180,000 for a family of 4, plus a due diligence fee of about $5,000.
Can Russian citizens get a Vanuatu passport?
Yes, Russian citizens are eligible for the contribution programme.
Do you need a Schengen visa with a Vanuatu passport?
Yes. Since 3 February 2025 the EU has put Vanuatu on its list of countries with a permanent visa requirement. The UK also requires a visa.
Will a child get Vanuatu citizenship?
A citizen's child gets it by descent, and children can be included in one family application under the programme.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

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