Mr Stafford, please introduce yourself to our readers.

I moved to Vanuatu from Australia in 1986. Initially I was with the Vanuatu Auditor General’s Office. I also managed cyclone relief and recovery after Cyclone Uma in 1987, Cyclones Anne, and Bola in 1988. Thereafter, I took the position as the Finance Manager for the Development Bank of Vanuatu until I became a Director of the South Pacific Mini Games in 1993. That same year, I established Stafford & Associates, which merged with my present firm in 1997.

I have been involved in many professional and community activities in Vanuatu. This ranges from a couple of stints as the Chair of the Finance Centre Association of Vanuatu; being part of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Group under PM Edward Natapei, and, a return as Chairman of the Pacific Mini Games in 2017. I have recently celebrated 30 years as President of Vanuatu Cricket Association. I have been able to take Vanuatu Cricket from obscurity to a very well respected global unit. I have played a long innings and still remain at the crease, undefeated.

SFAI seems to be a one-stop-shop solution for investors. What other services does your company provide to investors and agents?

Besides assisting with citizenship and immigration matters via AAA Citizenship & Immigration, our firm provides many other services to our clients including:–

audit and assurance; accounting; consulting; business advisory; company and trust formation; corporate governance; strata title and body corporate management; government liaison; land matters; and trustee services.

We have wonderful staff who can manage enquiries in English, French, Chinese and Bislama. We have some exceptional all-rounders in our team that will help our clients get runs on the board.

SFAI is one of the oldest and largest firms in Vanuatu, and has a very strong relationship with the Government. How does that separate SFAI from the rest?

Our Firm’s relationship with the Government has been built up over the 50 years that we have been doing business in Vanuatu. We have dealt closely with most government departments, particularly with Immigration, Labour, and, Lands in the past decades. I have been on many advisory boards working with many senior bureaucrats and government ministers. Our performance over time has given the Government confidence that we play with a straight bat and act without fear or favour to ensure our clients are properly served.

SFAI have invested in human capital and have a very strong team to facilitate the international market. What was the reason behind having such a large team?

Our team has been solidly built up over many years to enable us to properly serve our clients, both locally and internationally.

Our range of services are extensive. Many of our team have been with the firm for over 20 years. Client service is our prime focus. Our great team enables us to give great client service.

What was the reason behind offering Vanuatu Citizenship to our readers?

I was one of the first to obtain “dual citizenship” in Vanuatu in 2014, as soon as the Vanuatu Constitution was amended to accommodate dual citizenship. Our firm had been dealing with Vanuatu Residency Visas and other Immigration related matters since the 1980s. The move to become a registered agent for CBI matters was a natural progression for us. We already had a strong infrastructure to enable us to enter the field. We are confident that we are very thorough and well-disciplined and ensure our client’s needs remain a priority at all times.

What advice would you give to investors that looking to investment in a second passport/citizenship?

My best advice for anyone considering acquiring Vanuatu Citizenship is to ensure that you deal with a reputable agent that has a strong set-up, like ourselves. This will ensure that your needs will be properly served. Vanuatu CBI programmes have the runs on the board now. They are relatively inexpensive and the general processing time is favourable compared to other jurisdictions. Please ensure that you spend time in putting all of your required information and documents together so that the application process runs as smooth as possible.

Vanuatu Citizenship Commission is enhancing its due diligence process, how will that impact the program?

The fact that Vanuatu Citizenship Commission has decided to enhance its due diligence process has to be seen as a positive move. If anyone has any reservations about going through a rigorous due diligence assessment then I do not want to deal with them. We must strive to ensure that Vanuatu is transparent and respected to ensure that the CBI programmes maintain a high degree of credibility. This is particularly so when we are all being closely scrutinised by the global market and many other organisations throughout the world.