Nauru offers citizenship through its Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, starting at $105,000.
The program grants visa-free access to approximately 90 countries, including the UK and UAE. This comprehensive guide explores all pathways to Nauruan citizenship and residency.
The Republic of Nauru, the world’s third-smallest country, launched its citizenship by investment program in January 2025.
This Pacific island nation faces existential climate threats and uses citizenship revenue to fund climate adaptation projects.
The program attracts global investors seeking alternative citizenship while supporting sustainable development initiatives.
In this article, we will be discussing aspects such as:
- How do you get citizenship in Nauru through investment?
- How much does it cost to become a citizen of Nauru?
- How do you qualify for citizenship by investment in Nauru?
- What are the benefits of having a Nauru passport?
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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
How to become a citizen of Nauru
Nauru citizenship can be acquired through several pathways under the country’s legal framework. The most common methods include birth, naturalization, marriage, and the recently introduced investment program.
Each pathway has specific requirements and processing timelines.
Nauru Citizenship by Descent and Birth
Nauruan citizenship is automatically granted to individuals born to Nauruan parents anywhere in the world.
Children born in Nauru to foreign parents only receive citizenship if they would otherwise be stateless.
This jus sanguinis principle ensures Nauruan heritage passes through bloodlines.
Nauru Naturalization Through Residency
Traditional naturalization requires establishing strong connections to Nauru through marriage or long-term residency.
Spouses of Nauruan citizens must be married for at least seven years and reside in Nauru continuously.
They must demonstrate good character and familiarity with local customs and language.
The process involves an application to the Cabinet Minister responsible for immigration affairs.
Nauru Investment Program
The newest investment scheme route involves the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program.
This pathway allows qualified investors to obtain citizenship within three to four months.
Applicants must make financial contributions to Nauru’s Treasury Fund supporting climate resilience projects.
What are the benefits of Nauru citizenship?
Nauruan citizenship provides several advantages for global mobility and international business activities.
The passport offers strategic access to key destinations while maintaining dual citizenship flexibility.
Global Mobility
The Nauru passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 89 countries and territories.
Key destinations include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
The passport ranks 55th to 57th globally across different passport strength indices.
Regional access covers most Caribbean nations, several African countries, and key Asian business hubs.
However, Schengen Area countries require advance visa applications, limiting European travel convenience.
The passport strength has improved significantly since the program’s launch.
Business Advantages
Nauru citizenship enables access to Commonwealth of Nations benefits and regional economic agreements.
The country’s neutral political stance provides diplomatic advantages during international business dealings.
Citizens can establish offshore companies under Nauru’s favorable business environment.
Tax Benefits
Nauru operates a territorial tax system with minimal personal income tax obligations.
Foreign-earned income generally faces no domestic taxation requirements for residents.
However, tax obligations in other countries of residence or citizenship continue to apply.
Family Inclusion
The citizenship program allows extensive family member inclusion in applications.
Eligible dependents include spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings.
This comprehensive approach supports multi-generational wealth planning strategies.
Nauru Citizenship by Investment
The Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program represents a groundbreaking approach to citizenship acquisition, as it addresses both investor needs and national climate challenges.
Program Structure:
The program operates under government authorization, with licensed agents processing applications.
As per mandate from the Government of Nauru, Henley & Partners designed, established, and manages the program’s operational framework.
All applications must be submitted through authorized agents rather than direct government channels.
Investment Focus:
Contributions support the Higher Ground Initiative, relocating 90% of Nauru’s population from vulnerable coastal areas.
Funds finance renewable energy projects, sustainable infrastructure, and climate adaptation technologies.
The program positions investors as partners in global climate solutions.
Processing Timeline:
Applications typically process within three to four months from submission to approval.
The first applications submitted in February 2025 received approval by June 2025.
This rapid timeline demonstrates operational efficiency despite being a new program.
Nauru Citizenship by Investment Requirements
Nauru Citizenship by Investment requires applicants to be over 18, have a clean criminal record, provide proof of legal investment funds, pass strict due diligence checks, and meet health standards.
Age and Character Requirements
Principal applicants must be at least 18 years old with clean criminal records.
Police clearances are required from all countries where applicants resided for more than six months within ten years.
Character references from two respected community members support the applications.
Financial Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate legitimate sources for investment funds through comprehensive documentation.
Bank statements, tax returns, and asset valuations verify financial capacity.
Legal profession or authorized agent certification validates document authenticity.
Due Diligence Process
Specialized international firms conduct background checks in cooperation with the Nauru Program Office.
Screening covers legal history, financial background, and potential security risks.
The process ensures compliance with international anti-money laundering standards.
Health and Medical Requirements
Medical reports confirm applicants’ health status and communicable disease absence.
Vaccinations may be required based on applicants’ countries of origin. Health clearances protect both individual and public health interests.
Nauru Citizenship by Investment Cost
Single applicants face total costs of approximately $141,700, considering all the fees. For a family of five people, including the applicant, the costs can go up to $174,000.
These amounts exclude professional service fees and incidental expenses.
Base Investment Amounts
Single applicants contribute $105,000 to the Nauru Treasury Fund.
Families of up to three members require $110,000 in total contributions.
Larger families with four or more members contribute $115,000 total.
An additional $15,000 for each sibling of the principal applicant or their spouse.
Application Fees
Application fees start at $25,000 for single applicants and increase with family size.
Families of two to three members pay $27,500 in application fees.
Large families with four or more members pay $30,000 in processing fees.
Due Diligence Costs
Principal applicants pay $10,000 for comprehensive background screening services.
Each additional family member aged 16 or older incurs $7,500 due diligence fees. The fees are the same, i.e., $7,500 for benefactors.
Children under 16 are exempt from due diligence fee requirements.
Additional Expenses
Passport issuance costs $500 per person regardless of age.
Bank due diligence and transaction charges range from $1,200 for a single principal applicant to $2,200 for an applicant with four or more dependents.
Professional service fees from authorized agents vary based on service levels.
Legal translation and document authentication create additional costs.
Overall, the program offers competitive pricing structures compared to other citizenship-by-investment options globally.
Total costs vary based on family size and additional service requirements.
How to get a PR in Nauru
Nauru offers limited permanent residency options primarily through employment or special government arrangements.
The immigration system focuses more on temporary visas rather than formal permanent residency pathways.
Employment-Based Residency:
Employment visas can extend for up to two years with multiple entry provisions.
Local businesses owned 100% by Nauruans can sponsor foreign workers through special visa categories.
These arrangements provide temporary residency rather than permanent status.
Long-Term Stay Visas:
Recent regulations introduced Long-Term Stay Visas for specific international arrangements.
These visas require requesting state partnerships and a minimum 30-year duration.
Annual fees of $1,000 apply, with requesting states responsible for payment obligations.
Business Investment Residency:
Foreign investors can establish businesses in Nauru under the Foreign Investment Act 2025.
However, land ownership restrictions limit property acquisition to leasehold arrangements only.
Government approval is required for all foreign investment activities.
Marriage-Based Residency:
Spouses of Nauruan citizens can obtain residency through marriage but must eventually pursue naturalization.
Seven-year continuous residency requirements apply before citizenship eligibility.
No separate permanent residency category exists for family reunification.
Conclusion
The Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program offers a unique pathway to alternative citizenship while supporting global climate initiatives.
With contributions starting at $105,000, investors gain access to approximately 90 countries visa-free and participate in meaningful environmental projects.
The program’s rapid processing timeline of 3-4 months and comprehensive family inclusion make it attractive for global mobility planning.
However, potential applicants should carefully consider Nauru’s geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and land ownership restrictions.
The country faces significant climate challenges that the citizenship program aims to address through the Higher Ground Initiative.
While offering peaceful living and tax advantages, Nauru may not suit individuals seeking urban amenities or extensive business opportunities.
FAQs
How to immigrate to Nauru?
You must apply in advance as there’s no visa-on-arrival. Choose the appropriate visa:
– Business visas (fees USD 1,000–8,000)
– Employment visas (local sponsorship, up to 2 years)
– Visitor visas (short-term tourism/family visits)
Submit your application to the Department of Justice and Border Control with a valid passport (min. 3 months validity), completed forms, passport copies, and character references.
Passports are held on arrival for processing and returned later.
What is the passport rank of Nauru?
The Nauru passport holds moderate strength rankings across international mobility indices. Rankings vary between different assessment organizations but consistently place Nauru in the middle tier.
Henley Passport Index ranks Nauru 57th globally with access to 87 destinations.
The Enhanced Mobility Index places Nauru at 95th position with 89 accessible countries.
Can I buy land in Nauru?
No. The land is owned under traditional Nauruan tenure, and non-Nauruans cannot purchase freehold.
You may enter into government-approved leaseholds (commonly 99 years), but all lease terms remain subject to reclamation rights.
The citizenship by investment program grants some additional rights, but doesn’t change land ownership restrictions.
Citizens gain residence rights but still face traditional land ownership limitations.
Business establishment requires separate approvals and compliance procedures.
Is Nauru a good place to live?
Overall, living in Nauru brings both benefits and drawbacks depending on personal preferences.
Its remote island setting offers safety and strong community ties but few entertainment or shopping options.
Healthcare is limited to one hospital with basic services; serious cases require evacuation to Australia.
Higher education and specialized treatments are unavailable locally. Monthly salaries average USD 694–900 after tax, while import-dependent costs keep living expenses moderate to high.
Most housing is government-provided, with scarce private markets.
Environmental issues include rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and land degradation from phosphate mining. Additionally, Nauru faces a high obesity rate of over 94%.
Why is Nauru so expensive?
Nauru’s high cost of living stems from geographic isolation, import dependence, and limited local production capacity.
Transportation costs significantly impact all imported goods pricing.
High import costs (almost everything is shipped in), remote location premiums, limited local production, and costly infrastructure (power, water, telecom) all drive up prices.
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