Forex licence in VanuatuOverview
Dealing in securities in or from Vanuatu without a licence is a serious offence under the Financial Dealers Licensing Act, with fines of up to VT 125 million for companies. The Act defines four classes of principal's licence. Class A covers dealing in debt instruments, certificates of deposit and foreign exchange. Class B covers shares, precious metals, commodities and related rights. Class C covers futures, options and other derivatives. Class D covers digital assets. The classes are cumulative: a Class B licence requires Class A, Class C requires Classes A and B, and Class D is available only to holders of Classes A, B and C.
Most forex and CFD brokers therefore need at least Classes A and C, which in practice means holding A, B and C together. Before any principal's licence is granted, the applicant must deposit VT 5 million with the Commissioner, which remains in place while the licence is held. The Act itself does not fix a separate minimum paid-up capital, but the VFSC assesses whether the applicant's financial resources are adequate for its business.
Substance is now a legal requirement rather than an expectation. The licensee must have a physical office in Vanuatu with appropriate staffing, filing, accounting and business continuity systems. It must appoint a licensed manager who resides in Vanuatu for six months of the year, and a manager or director must normally reside in Vanuatu for six months each year. Each manager or director must be a natural person with at least five years' experience in dealing in securities. The VFSC required existing licensees to move these functions onshore from 2022.
Licensees must file audited financial statements prepared under International Accounting Standards within three months of the anniversary date, using an auditor approved in advance by the Commissioner, and must hold professional indemnity insurance of at least VT 5 million per claim and VT 50 million in aggregate. Licences have no fixed term, but they lapse in practice if annual fees are not paid or conditions are breached.
Key benefits
- Licence classes that align directly with forex, derivatives and digital asset business
- Licence without a fixed expiry date, maintained through annual fees
- Relatively low statutory fees
- Single regulator with a consolidated, recently updated Act
- Class D route for groups that combine forex with digital asset dealing
- Asia-Pacific time zone suited to regional client servicing
Requirements
- A company eligible for licensing under the Act, with fit and proper key persons
- VT 5 million deposited with the Commissioner before grant
- Physical office in Vanuatu with appropriate staffing and systems
- A licensed manager resident in Vanuatu for six months of the year
- A manager or director normally resident in Vanuatu six months a year
- Managers and directors with at least five years' experience in dealing in securities
- Professional indemnity insurance of at least VT 5 million per claim and VT 50 million aggregate
- Commissioner-approved auditor and audited accounts within three months of the anniversary date
- AML/CFT compliance under Vanuatu's anti-money laundering legislation
Licence options & capital
Class A principal's licence
VT 5,000,000 deposit
Dealing in debt instruments, certificates of deposit and foreign exchange. The base licence for any forex business.
Class B principal's licence
Requires Class A
Dealing in shares, precious metals and commodities, subscription rights and depositary receipts.
Class C principal's licence
Requires Classes A and B
Dealing in futures, options and other derivatives, including most CFD offerings.
Class D principal's licence
Requires Classes A, B and C
Dealing in digital assets, for groups combining forex and digital asset services.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Class selection
Map products to licence classes, recognising that Class C requires Classes A and B.
- 2
Substance plan
Secure office premises, recruit staff and identify the licensed manager and resident director.
- 3
Application
File applications with the VT 50,000 fee per licence, business plan, policies and key person information.
- 4
Deposit and insurance
Place the VT 5 million deposit with the Commissioner and bind professional indemnity cover.
- 5
Grant
On approval, pay the VT 100,000 licence fee and obtain the licence.
- 6
Ongoing obligations
Pay the VT 500,000 annual fee, file audited accounts within three months and notify changes of directors and ownership.
Typical documents
- Application forms for each licence class
- Certificate of incorporation and constitutional documents
- Business plan and financial projections
- Fit and proper documentation for directors, managers and beneficial owners
- Evidence of five years' securities dealing experience for managers and directors
- Office lease and staffing plan in Vanuatu
- AML/CFT, compliance and client money policies
- Professional indemnity insurance proposal
- Proposed auditor details for Commissioner approval
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps clients assess whether Vanuatu's onshore requirements fit their operating model, then plans the licence classes, office, licensed manager and residency arrangements that the VFSC expects. We prepare the application documents and policies, coordinate the deposit and insurance, and keep personal information limited to what is legally necessary. Where Vanuatu forms part of a larger group, we align it with your other licences and long-term family structures. Contact info@legalwealthglobal.com.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Which classes does a forex and CFD broker need?
Class A covers foreign exchange, and Class C covers derivatives such as CFDs. Because Class C requires Classes A and B, a CFD broker typically holds Classes A, B and C.
Is there a minimum capital requirement?
The Act requires a VT 5 million deposit with the Commissioner before grant. It does not set a separate paid-up capital figure, but the VFSC assesses whether financial resources are adequate.
Must someone live in Vanuatu?
Yes. The licensed manager must reside in Vanuatu for six months of the year, and a manager or director must normally reside there for six months each year.
Does the licence expire?
No fixed term applies; the licence remains in force until revoked. Annual fees of VT 500,000 must be paid, with late penalties of 10% per month up to 50%.
What are the audit obligations?
Audited financial statements under International Accounting Standards must be filed within three months of the anniversary date, by an auditor approved in advance by the Commissioner.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
