The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) was Vanuatu's second citizenship by investment pathway, offering a partially refundable structure — a $100,000 contribution plus a $50,000 pledge returned after four years. As of 2026, the CIIP is suspended and not accepting new applications. All new citizenship applicants must use the Development Support Program (DSP).
Introduced as a complement to the DSP, the CIIP split the applicant's financial commitment into two components:
After the four-year holding period, the effective net cost for a single applicant was $100,000 — significantly less than the DSP's $130,000. For families, the savings were larger because the $50,000 pledge was fixed regardless of family size.
A family of four under CIIP paid approximately $161,000 total (contribution + pledge) versus $170,000+ under DSP. After the pledge refund, net cost dropped to around $111,000 — creating a $59,000 saving for the same citizenship.
| Component | Single | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-refundable contribution | $100,000 | $130,000 | $140,000 |
| Refundable pledge (fixed) | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Due diligence fee | $5,500 | $6,000 | $7,000 |
| Total upfront | ~$155,500 | ~$186,000 | ~$197,000 |
| Net after pledge refund (year 4+) | ~$105,500 | ~$136,000 | ~$147,000 |
The Citizenship Commission has not issued a formal public statement detailing the specific reasons for suspension. Practitioners attribute the suspension to a combination of factors:
The suspension is not linked to any fraud or abuse of the CIIP specifically. Existing CIIP citizenship holders retain their citizenship and passport rights unaffected.
Unofficially, practitioners and industry contacts suggest the Commission is reviewing CIIP's structure as part of a broader program modernization. A reopening announcement is considered possible but no timeline has been communicated as of July 2026.
If CIIP reopens, it will be most advantageous for families of three or more, where the fixed $50,000 pledge generates the largest per-person saving relative to DSP. Single applicants and couples save less per person and may still prefer DSP's simplicity.
Applicants who were planning to use CIIP should proceed with DSP. Key points:
→ Current active program: Vanuatu DSP — Complete 2026 Guide
→ Full comparison: DSP vs CIIP: Which Route in 2026?
→ All program options: Vanuatu Citizenship Programs 2026
No. The CIIP is suspended as of 2026 and not accepting new applications. New applicants must use the DSP. Monitor official Citizenship Commission announcements or ask your legal representative for updates if you want to know when CIIP may reopen.
Yes. Suspension of new applications does not affect existing CIIP citizens. Their citizenship and passport are valid and renewal follows the standard process.
No. The pledge is held for a minimum of four years from the citizenship grant date. Early release is not provided in the program rules. At the four-year mark, applicants apply for release and receive the funds within 60–90 days of approval.
The DSP contribution is a permanent, non-refundable payment to the government fund. The CIIP pledge is a temporarily held deposit that the government returns after four years. Both go to government accounts; only the pledge creates a future liability for the government to return funds.
For single applicants and couples: the cost difference is modest ($5,500–$19,000 in net terms). Apply DSP now and avoid the uncertainty of waiting for a program with no confirmed reopening date. For large families (4+): the CIIP's net savings of $50,000+ are significant. Whether to wait depends on your timeline urgency and whether the DSP cost is manageable.
General information only, not legal advice. Visa and programme rules change; confirm current details before deciding. Last verified 2026-07-08.
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