Vanuatu

Residents and those born in Vanuatu have several ways in which to claim British Nationality. These are:

• A British or UK-born mother or father
• Not having gained nationality of Vanuatu on Independence
• A grandparent born in the UK
• A parent or grandparent born outside of Vanuatu
• A parent or grandparent holding a nationality other than Vanuatu

The Independence Day arrangements on 16.08.1979 gave rise to many residents gaining one of the various forms of British Nationality. Those born in Vanuatu would have held British Protected Person (BPP) status. This status would have been lost if the new Vanuatu constitution granted nationality. If not, then BPP status would have been maintained and, in some cases, this can be upgraded to full British Nationality. In some cases, where Vanuatu nationality was NOT granted (i.e. because of where your parents were born), then British Overseas Citizen (BOC) status would have been granted.

For these and other forms of British Nationality available to Vanuatu residents, those born there or nationals, click on British Citizenship.

STATUS OF VANUATU

From 18.03.1922 until 31.12.1948, Vanuatu was a foreign country.

From 01.01.1949 until 15.08.1979, it remained a foreign country but was treated as if it were a Protected State for general purposes and a Protectorate for particular purposes.

Click here for more information on the status of a British Protected Person (based on birth in a British Protectorate).

From 16.08.1979 to 29.07.1980, Vanuatu was a foreign territory.

From 30.07.1980 until the present day, it is an independent Commonwealth country. Click here for more information about the consequences of being born in a Commonwealth country.