Lalit Modi, the founder of Indian Premier League (IPL), has made a request to relinquish his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Modi, who is said to have taken Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation, citizenship, left India in 2010 and has been based in London ever since. Indian officials are searching for him on charges of allegedly embezzling huge amounts of money when he was at the helm of IPL as its top administrator.
How to obtain Vanuatu citizenship?
Vanuatu stands apart from most European countries in that it does not insist on residency prior to, during, or post-gaining citizenship, providing more flexibility for those looking to relocate, in a report by Immigrant Invest consulting firm. There is no income tax on individuals, which makes it a desirable option for most. The best method of gaining citizenship is through investment, which costs a minimum of $130,000.
Vanuatu also offers citizenship to persons who have been lawfully resident in the country for a period of 10 years. Vanuatuans by descent, either through their parents or grandparents, can claim citizenship. Foreign spouses of citizens of Vanuatu can claim citizenship after residing in the country and being married for two years.
How to travel to Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is relatively easily accessible from a number of international destinations. Flights of approximately three hours direct from Sydney, Australia, connect to Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila, the capital. There are also flights direct from New Zealand, Fiji, and other Pacific island islands, so accessing Vanuatu is easy for local visitors.
The official currency is the vatu (ISO code: VUV), and the three official languages of Vanuatu are English, French, and Bislama. As of now, the exchange rate is around 1 Indian Rupee (INR) = 1.40651 VUV.
