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BRUSSELS (CHATNEWSTV) — The European Union on Thursday officially removed Vanuatu from the list of countries whose citizens can travel to the bloc without a visa, citing security and migration risks linked to the Pacific island nation’s investor citizenship program.
The decision follows the suspension of Vanuatu’s visa exemption in 2022 after concerns arose over the country’s “golden passport” scheme, which allows foreign nationals to acquire Vanuatu citizenship in exchange for investment. EU officials warned that the scheme could enable individuals who would normally require a visa to bypass the EU’s entry restrictions.
Vanuatu’s visa exemption had been in place since May 28, 2015, shortly after the country introduced its investor citizenship program. The scheme, however, raised red flags as it granted visa-free access to the EU to individuals who may pose security or migration risks.
Despite repeated efforts by the European Commission to address these concerns through dialogue with Vanuatu, “the risks associated with the investor citizenship scheme have persisted,” the Council of the EU stated.
The Council’s decision amends Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, adding Vanuatu to the list of countries whose nationals are required to obtain a visa before entering the EU.
The move underscores the EU’s firm stance against citizenship-by-investment programs that could compromise the bloc’s security. Vanuatu authorities have yet to respond to the latest development.
