Antigua and Barbuda vs Republic of Vanuatu
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda offers citizenship by investment through its Citizenship by Investment Unit, with options including the National Development Fund, approved real estate, the University of the West Indies Fund, and business investment. The twin-island state also issues ordinary work permits. It is one of the five Eastern Caribbean CBI states bound by the 2024 CARICOM agreement, and applicants must spend a short period in the country within their first five years.
- Official portal
- Citizenship by Investment Unit (Antigua and Barbuda)
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar
Republic of Vanuatu
Vanuatu administers residence through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services, with six residence-visa grounds (partner, child, employee, self-funded, investor and leaseholder) and a permanent-resident visa. Its Development Support Program (citizenship by investment) is run separately by the Citizenship Commission and grants citizenship, not residence. Note that the EU removed Vanuatu from its visa-free Schengen list in December 2024.
- Official portal
- Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu)
- Languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Currency
- Vanuatu vatu
How Antigua and Barbuda and Republic of Vanuatu differ
| Dimension | Antigua and Barbuda | Republic of Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 5 | 7 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 4 | 5 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 4 | 4 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Antigua and Barbuda CBI - National Development Fund | Residence Visa (Employee ground) |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | English | Bislama, English, French |
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar | Vanuatu vatu |
| Primary regulator | CIU | VLS |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Visa routes side by side
Antigua and Barbuda (5)
Antigua and Barbuda CBI - National Development Fund
No sponsor · To settlement · Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved; a short physical-presence step applies in the early years (see FAQ).
Antigua and Barbuda CBI - Approved Real Estate
No sponsor · To settlement · Full citizenship; the qualifying property must be held for a minimum period before it can be resold under the programme.
Antigua and Barbuda CBI - University of the West Indies Fund
No sponsor · To settlement · Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved; the early-years physical-presence step applies.
Antigua and Barbuda CBI - Business Investment
No sponsor · To settlement · Full citizenship once the qualifying business investment is made and the application is approved; the early-years physical-presence step applies.
Antigua and Barbuda Work Permit
Sponsor · Non-settlement · A temporary, employer-tied permit, typically issued for a defined period and renewable; it does not by itself lead to settlement.
Republic of Vanuatu (7)
Residence Visa (Employee ground)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods (commonly one to several years) and renewable while you remain employed by the sponsoring business. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Self-funded ground)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you keep meeting the income condition. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Foreign Investor ground)
No sponsor · To settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you hold a valid VIPA certificate and the investment continues. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Leasehold Holder ground)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you maintain the qualifying leasehold and income. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Partner / Child ground)
Sponsor · To settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while the qualifying relationship continues. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Permanent Resident Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Longer-term permanent residence status, subject to the conditions and any renewal or reporting requirements set by the Department. Confirm the current terms on the official Department of Immigration page.
Development Support Program (citizenship by investment)
No sponsor · To settlement · Grants citizenship, not a time-limited residence; the underlying programme rules can change. Confirm the current rules with the Vanuatu Citizenship Office.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Antigua and Barbuda or Republic of Vanuatu?+
Antigua and Barbuda’s Antigua and Barbuda CBI - National Development Fund is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Vanuatu’s Residence Visa (Employee ground) is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Antigua and Barbuda or Republic of Vanuatu have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Republic of Vanuatu has more: 5 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 4 for Antigua and Barbuda. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.