Last week, Vanuatu’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Solomon Napuat, inaugurated a new immigration registration office at the country’s Consulate in Hong Kong.
Last year, the Council of Ministers approved the opening of biometric collection centers at Vanuatu consulates in Hong Kong, Dubai, Brussels, and New Caledonia. This development allows citizens and investors to complete the biometric process at a convenient location, without needing to travel directly to Vanuatu (a flight from London takes around 30 hours).
Starting mid-November, the Department of Immigration and Passport Office will issue only electronic biometric passports, fully compliant with international standards.
The next key location is Dubai, which will serve as a major hub for clients worldwide. Earlier this year, meetings were held in the UAE with Vanuatu’s Consul General, Andrew Leong, to finalize the setup. Preparations are now in the final stage, and biometric collection will be available there in the coming weeks.
Timeline
Biometrics are already available for those planning to travel to Vanuatu; however, the procedure will become mandatory once all centers are operational. According to the latest updates, full rollout is expected in early November.
New Astons Office in Dubai
In the coming weeks, Astons will open a new office in Dubai to personally welcome participants of the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program who are coming for biometric enrollment. Our team will provide full support throughout every step of the process.
Once the system is fully operational, detailed information on costs and practical procedures will be shared.
