The small Micronesian country of Naoero is home to one of the youngest citizenship by investment programs in the world. Formerly known as Nauru, the Republic of Naoero adopted its traditional name in 2026 to better reflect its cultural heritage and national identity.
Established in 2024, the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program has quickly become known for its low contribution requirements, generous family inclusion, and fast application processing.
In this guide, we’ll explore Naoero’s citizenship by investment (CBI) program. You’ll learn about:
- Program features
- Associated costs and possible discounts
- Requirements
- Benefits of becoming a citizen
Naoero Citizenship by Investment Program Overview
As its name suggests, the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program was implemented to help the country strengthen its economy and prepare for the consequences of climate change.
Naoero has long experienced issues on both fronts. The country’s economy suffered immensely after the phosphate mining operations on the island ceased. The country is also endangered by any potential sea-level rise, since most of the population and infrastructure sit on a narrow coastal strip at sea level.
Under the program, Naoero allows you to become a citizen after making an eligible donation to the country. The characteristics of the program include:
- No residency requirements
- Convenient process
- Quick application processing
- Family inclusion
No Residency Requirements
Naoero poses no previous residency requirements for applicants. You don’t have to be a legal resident to apply for citizenship or live in the country at all before submitting the application.
Convenient Process
The process of becoming a citizen of Naoero through the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program was designed to be as convenient as possible.
You will not be required to travel to the country at any point during the application process. While applicants are generally expected to visit the country to take the Oath of Allegiance, it is also possible to take it via video call or before a notary public or a similar official in any other country.
Throughout the process, you can also count on the assistance of certified program agents.
Quick Processing
The expected application processing time for Naoero’s CBI program is three to four months.
This period may be longer in case of incomplete applications.
Family Inclusion
Under the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, you can add qualifying family members to your application as dependents, including:
- Spouse
- Children, including adopted children
- Your or your spouse’s parents
- Your or your spouse’s siblings
Naoero Citizenship by Investment Cost in 2026
Naoero’s CBI program has only one option to meet the investment requirement: a direct contribution to the country’s Treasury Fund.
When the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program officially launched, the minimum contribution was set at USD 115,000. However, to commemorate the program’s first anniversary, Naoero’s government launched the Iruwa Initiative Special Project, offering a USD 25,000 discount on the minimum contribution amount.
As the project’s validity has been extended through the end of 2026, the current contribution requirements are as follows:
| Person on the Application | Contribution |
| Principal applicant | USD 90,000 |
| An additional dependent, aged 16 or older | USD 2,000 |
| Sibling | USD 15,000 |
In addition to the contribution, you also need to pay fees for application processing, due diligence, bank due diligence, and a passport. These fees are charged at the time of application, while the contribution can be made after program approval.
Naoero Citizenship by Investment Requirements
The general requirements you have to meet when applying for the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program include:
- A minimum age of 18 years (if you’re the principal applicant)
- The ability to make the necessary contribution
- A good moral character and no criminal record
The conditions that count as having good moral character and no criminal record include:
- Not having been convicted of an offence punishable by 12 months or more in prison
- Not having been charged or indicted by the International Criminal Court
- Not being listed with any international police agency at the time of application
- Not being involved in a terrorist organisation, including in relation to proliferation and financing
- Not having been convicted of a sexual offence involving a child
- Not holding citizenship of a country named as a high-risk country by a UN Security Council resolution
- Not being subject to financial sanctions by the UN Security Council or its committees, or being an owner or shareholder in a company under the same measures
To safeguard the integrity and reputation of the program, Naoero performs a strict due diligence process. Failing to meet any of the conditions will result in denial of the application.
Naoero Citizenship Benefits
Obtaining citizenship of Naoero through the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program offers you benefits through the following mechanisms:
- Rights as a citizen
- Dual citizenship
- Tax obligations
- Naoero’s passport
Rights as a Citizen
As a citizen of Naoero, you will enjoy the same rights as other citizens of the country. For example, Naoero’s publicly funded healthcare system provides essential and emergency medical care to all citizens free of charge. Elective procedures are available at subsidised rates.
You cannot purchase real estate in the country. Property ownership in the country is generally managed by the state or indigenous families, and any transfer would require approval from a relevant government body or even the country’s president.
However, you might be able to lease land in the country, subject to applicable land ownership rules and any required approvals.
Dual Citizenship
Naoero recognises dual citizenship, and the country will not require you to give up any other citizenships you might hold when becoming a Naoero citizen.
Your home country might not allow you to hold dual citizenship, though. Some countries, including India, the Netherlands, and Singapore, either restrict it completely or allow it under very specific circumstances.
To avoid any legal issues, it’s best to check your country’s citizenship legislation before applying for a CBI program such as the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program.
Tax Obligations
As a citizen of Naoero, you would only pay personal income tax on income from employment or services provided in the country. The country imposes a flat tax rate of 20% on income above AUD 9,240 (USD 6,620) per month. Income under that threshold is not taxed.
For corporate income, the country maintains three tax regimes:
- Small Business Tax (SBT), which is applied at a rate of 2.5% on income made by non-resident individuals operating only in Naoero and generating less than AUD 250,000 (USD 179,000) per year
- Business Profit Tax (BPT), which is applied to companies, individuals, partnerships, and trusts at rates that range between 20% and 25%
- Non-Resident Tax (NRT), which is applied at a rate of 20% on interest, royalties, or insurance premiums derived by non-residents in Naoero
The Business Profit Tax is charged at a 20% rate for individuals, partnerships, and trusts. Both categories are eligible for an AUD 250,000 (USD 179,000) tax-free threshold.
Companies are separated into four subcategories:
| Company Subcategory | Tax Rate |
| Category A: Resident company with annual gross revenue lower than AUD 15 million (USD 10.7 million) | 20% |
| Category B: Resident company with annual gross revenue larger than AUD 15 million (USD 10.7 million) | 25% |
| Category C: Resident business operated by a non-resident | 25% |
| Category D: Non-resident business active in Naoero | 25% |
Naoero also maintains a special 10% tax rate on the gross sales of telecommunication services.
Naoero’s Passport
Naoero’s passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to more than 85 destinations worldwide. Among those destinations are some of the world’s leading financial hubs, such as:
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
It’s important to note that the passport doesn’t facilitate a simplified entry procedure in the EU countries, the UK, Canada, or even Australia. The only European country you can enter without a visa, or with a visa on arrival, is Kosovo.
The passport is issued with a validity period of 10 years. You can apply for renewal before your current passport expires, and you don’t need to reside in the country or have an address there to be issued a new passport.
Naoero Citizenship by Investment Compared to Other Popular CBI Programs
Naoero entered a market long dominated by five Caribbean CBI nations: St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St. Lucia. Even though each of these countries has a citizenship program more established than Naoero’s, the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program can still stand out in certain areas.
We’ll compare Naoero to Caribbean CBIs by:
- Investment threshold
- Investment option variety
- Passport strength and mobility
- Family inclusion and residence requirement
Investment Threshold
The most affordable Caribbean CBI program is Dominica’s, with the minimum investment of USD 200,000. The remaining programs have minimum investment options ranging from USD 230,000 to USD 250,000.
Even if the Iruwa Initiative Special Project is allowed to lapse at the end of 2026, Naoero’s CBI program will be drastically less expensive at its full price of USD 115,000. That’s without taking into account that Caribbean CBI programs often add significant government fees that can measure in tens of thousands of dollars.
Investment Option Variety
The government donation option is common to both the Caribbean and Naoero’s CBI programs. However, Caribbean countries also typically have at least one additional program for real estate investment, which is lacking in Naoero’s offer.
This doesn’t have to be a disadvantage for Naoero, however. Many investors prefer to avoid real estate investment options because of the additional paperwork and the difficulty of recouping their investment once the mandated holding period passes.
St. Lucia is an exception in that it offers an option to invest in a non-yielding government bond, allowing investors the option to recover their investment easily. However, they are not able to recover the USD 50,000 government fee.
Passport Strength and Mobility
Passport strength and mobility is the one category where Caribbean CBIs have a clear advantage, as each Caribbean country allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more destinations than Naoero. This includes access to the UK and the EU.
Family Inclusion and Residence Requirement
Caribbean countries and Naoero mostly have the same definition and allowance for dependents, except in St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, which don’t allow siblings.
Naoero stands out by not imposing a physical residence requirement to maintain citizenship. Caribbean countries generally require new citizens to spend at least 30 days in the country during the first five years after obtaining citizenship.
What all of these countries have in common is that they require applicants to use the services of a registered agency during the application process. For help with your Naoero application or assistance with assessing whether the program is the right choice for you, contact Nomad Capitalist.
Become a Naoero Citizen With Nomad Capitalist
Nomad Capitalist is a global mobility and wealth-protection consultancy firm. We’ve helped more than 1,500 clients develop and execute their international strategy by obtaining a second residency or citizenship, legally reducing their tax burden, protecting their assets, and exploring investment diversification opportunities abroad.
The core service we offer is the Action Plan, a guide for achieving your financial or lifestyle objectives on the global stage. We don’t use templates to create our Plans: we develop a tailored, step-by-step blueprint for reaching the target outcome based on each client’s specific situation and goals.
Here’s what partnering with Nomad Capitalist on an Action Plan entails:
- Before we start, we ask you to fill out a form to help us determine whether we’re a good match
- We schedule a 45-minute onboarding call to learn more about your circumstances and desires
- Your case manager creates an Action Plan and presents it to you for approval
- We implement the Plan over 12 months, managing and assisting with specific steps
- You continue receiving support from us even after the Plan is implemented
If you’re interested in becoming a citizen of Naoero through the Naoero Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, Nomad Capitalist can manage the application process. We can help you gather the necessary documents, ensure your application is complete, and manage the submission for you. To get started, contact Nomad Capitalist right away!
