Gov’t expects U.S. talks on Immigration Watchlist status

The government of Vanuatu has not yet received formal notification from U.S. authorities regarding a draft proposal to potentially place Vanuatu on a U.S. immigration watch list, but anticipates discussing the matter in the near future. The Prime Minister's Office clarified yesterday morning that it has taken note of recent media reports on the subject. This proactive approach demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing potential concerns.

Both Reuters and The New York Times have reported that the Trump administration is considering imposing travel restrictions on citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban. Vanuatu, as one of the countries offering Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, has been placed on a "yellow" list. The Prime Minister's Office stated yesterday: "It is noteworthy that the eight countries on the list all offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, and Vanuatu has significantly strengthened its own program in recent years, particularly in due diligence and applicant screening." These improvements aim to ensure the integrity and security of the CBI program.

The Prime Minister's Office reiterated that Vanuatu maintains a strict list of restricted nationalities, whose nationals are ineligible to apply for citizenship, to ensure that only applicants who meet stringent security and compliance measures are eligible. The government of Vanuatu welcomes feedback from international partners and is committed to continuously strengthening its citizenship program. "We will give due consideration to any recommendations that align with global best practices, while ensuring that the program continues to generate crucial revenue for national development," the Prime Minister's Office added. This collaborative approach is essential for maintaining international standards and trust.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that further announcements will be issued as discussions progress. Just in December 2024, the European Union revoked its visa-free travel agreement with Vanuatu due to Vanuatu's "golden passport" scheme. This highlights the ongoing scrutiny of CBI programs and the potential consequences of non-compliance.

Following Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas's instruction on March 10, 2025, to revoke the citizenship of Indian national Lalit Modi, the Citizenship Commission has commenced work to ascertain the facts behind the allegations against him. The Prime Minister's Office released this update yesterday afternoon, stating: "The Prime Minister reiterates that under his leadership, Vanuatu will not stand idly by while those with vested interests undermine our sovereignty." This decisive action underscores the government's commitment to upholding the integrity of its citizenship program.

The Prime Minister's Office expects all departments, including statutory bodies under its responsibility, to meet the highest standards of performance. These bodies include the Office of the Citizenship Commission, whose duty is to grant citizenship to anyone who meets the criteria. The Prime Minister's Office stated: "The Chairman of the Citizenship Commission, Charles Maniel, has initiated all due diligence processes, as per the Prime Minister’s instructions, to ensure compliance with the Citizenship Act CAP 112." This proactive measure demonstrates the government's commitment to due process and legal compliance.

"The Act requires the Commission to notify the individual concerned in writing, providing them with an opportunity to respond to any allegations against them. Once these steps are completed, the Commission can make a determination. If the person fails to respond adequately or does not meet the requirements of CAP 112, the Commission can proceed to revoke their citizenship. That decision may also be subject to final recourse to the Courts." Prime Minister Salwai commended the new Chairman for acting swiftly to ascertain the facts within the Vanuatu legal framework. He emphasized that the government would not take such matters lightly and would not hesitate to take more decisive action if required. This underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in citizenship matters.

Indian news previously reported that Modi, who served as the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was accused of manipulating bids, money laundering, and violating the 1999 Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). He left India in 2010 while under investigation for financial impropriety, including unauthorized fund transfers. Prime Minister Salwai's instruction to the Citizenship Commission to revoke Modi's Vanuatu passport came days after Modi, who is also the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), applied to the Indian High Commission in London to renounce his Indian passport. This highlights the international implications of citizenship and financial misconduct.

While all standard background checks conducted during his application, including Interpol screenings, did not reveal any criminal convictions, Prime Minister Salwai was informed that Interpol had twice rejected requests from Indian authorities for a red notice alert concerning Mr. Modi, due to a lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have resulted in the automatic rejection of Mr. Modi's citizenship application. This underscores the importance of thorough and reliable background checks in the citizenship application process.