Vanuatu Strengthens Citizenship Program with New Dubai Biometric Enrolment Centre

Photo Credit: Vanuatu Daily Post

The Government of Vanuatu has taken a significant step toward strengthening the integrity, security, and international credibility of its citizenship and passport program with the official opening of a new Immigration and Passport Enrollment Centre in Dubai. The launch reflects the government’s continued commitment to modernising its citizenship framework and aligning with international best practices.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Andrew Solomon Napuat; Minister of Public Works, Hon. Xavier Emmanuel Harry; and Vanuatu’s Consul General to Dubai, Mr. Andrew Leong, along with other government delegates. The presence of high-level officials underscores the importance the government places on safeguarding the country’s citizenship and passport issuance processes.

The Dubai Enrollment Centre forms part of a broader initiative approved by the Council of Ministers to establish secure overseas enrollment systems in key global locations. This initiative directly addresses earlier concerns associated with remote, paper-based submissions, which created potential security gaps during application processing. Under the new system, applicants are now required to appear in person at authorised enrollment centres, where biometric data — including facial recognition and fingerprinting — is securely collected to ensure accurate identity verification.

Minister Napuat explained that the introduction of biometric enrollment brings greater confidence not only to the Government of Vanuatu but also to its international partners. By knowing exactly who is applying and confirming eligibility at the point of enrollment, the government has significantly reduced the risk of misuse and strengthened compliance across the entire program.

The Dubai facility follows the earlier installation of biometric enrollment systems in Hong Kong, with a final centre approved for Brussels to be established once a new Consul General for Belgium is appointed. Together, these centres form an international enrollment network that supports a consistent, transparent, and secure citizenship application process.

The fully installed system is now hosted at the Vanuatu Consulate Office in Dubai and was officially launched during a visit by Minister Napuat and his delegation, including the Director of Immigration. Once the Brussels centre becomes operational, this international enrollment network will further support the government’s efforts to modernise passport issuance and close previous security gaps.

The opening of the Dubai Enrollment Centre reinforces Vanuatu’s commitment to maintaining a credible, government-backed citizenship program that meets evolving international standards. These enhancements not only strengthen security but also streamline the application process, providing greater confidence for investors seeking a legitimate and well-regulated pathway to Vanuatu citizenship.