Guide to KYC on Coinbase with a Vanuatu Passport in 2025

Navigating the world of cryptocurrency exchanges can be challenging, especially when you hold a passport from a smaller nation like Vanuatu. If you've invested in Vanuatu citizenship or are a natural-born citizen looking to access global crypto markets, you might wonder: "Will Coinbase accept my Vanuatu passport for verification?"

The good news is that yes, Coinbase does accept Vanuatu passports for KYC verification in 2025. But there are nuances and details worth understanding to make your verification process smooth and successful.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about using your Vanuatu passport for Coinbase's Know Your Customer (KYC) process. We'll explore current policies, step-by-step verification procedures, potential challenges, and how recent regulatory developments in both Vanuatu and the U.S. might affect your experience.

Whether you're a new Vanuatu citizen through investment or born in this beautiful South Pacific nation, this guide will help you confidently navigate Coinbase's verification requirements and start trading crypto with minimal hassle.

Coinbase's KYC Policies in 2025: What You Need to Know

Coinbase operates as a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange with a strong commitment to regulatory compliance. Unlike some platforms that offer "no-KYC" options, Coinbase requires full identity verification for all users before they can access trading features.

This strict approach stems from Coinbase's status as a publicly-traded company regulated by U.S. authorities like the SEC and FinCEN. There are no anonymous accounts or KYC-free tiers – every user must verify their identity.

When it comes to global reach, Coinbase operates in over 100 countries (reportedly 177 as of 2025). The only excluded regions are those under U.S. sanctions (like North Korea, Iran, and Cuba) and a few countries where local regulations prevent service (such as Singapore).

The good news? Vanuatu is not on any U.S. sanctions list, making its citizens eligible to sign up and use Coinbase.

Coinbase's compliance program has become even more robust following a $100 million settlement with NYDFS in 2023 over past deficiencies. By 2025, their KYC process includes thorough identity document scans and biometric checks as standard steps for all users worldwide.

For you as a Vanuatu passport holder, this means you'll face the same verification requirements as users from larger nations – neither more nor less stringent. The key is understanding exactly what those requirements entail, which we'll cover next.

Eligibility of Vanuatu Passport Holders on Coinbase

Let's address the most important question first: Yes, you can use your Vanuatu passport to satisfy Coinbase's identity verification requirements. Coinbase accepts passports as valid ID from foreign users, and Vanuatu is not excluded from their platform.

Vanuatu, a beautiful South Pacific nation, is not subject to U.S. or EU sanctions, so its citizens aren't barred from using Coinbase. Your Vanuatu passport is fully accepted as an ID document, similar to how passports from Grenada or St. Kitts would be.

There are a few important considerations to keep in mind:

First, Coinbase distinguishes between your nationality (Vanuatu) and your country of residence. During signup, you'll need to indicate where you actually live. If you reside in Vanuatu, select Vanuatu as your country. If you obtained Vanuatu citizenship through investment but live elsewhere, you should select your actual country of residence. You can still use your Vanuatu passport for the identity document step regardless of where you live.

Second, regarding platform availability, Coinbase has no licensing presence in Vanuatu itself. However, since Vanuatu isn't on any prohibited list, residents can create accounts normally. As of 2025, Coinbase's help pages and reviews list Vanuatu among supported countries.

Finally, the service you receive will likely come through Coinbase's U.S. entity, since Vanuatu isn't in the EEA or UK (which would fall under Coinbase's European licenses). This means U.S. law will govern your account, with implications for tax forms that we'll discuss later.

The bottom line? A Vanuatu passport holder is eligible to use Coinbase, whether from within Vanuatu or abroad. Nothing in Coinbase's current policies disqualifies Vanuatu citizens, as long as you also meet the age requirement (18+ years) and provide truthful residence information.

Documentation Requirements for KYC (Vanuatu Passport Holder)

When verifying your identity on Coinbase with a Vanuatu passport, you'll need to provide several pieces of documentation. Here's what to prepare:

Personal Information

First, you'll need to enter your full legal name, date of birth, and residential address. It's crucial that your name matches exactly what appears on your passport, and that your address is current. You'll also provide a phone number (for two-factor authentication) and email address.

This basic profile information is required under financial regulations – Coinbase uses it to cross-check against your ID documents and to fulfill FinCEN's Customer Identification Program requirements.

Government-Issued ID – Your Vanuatu Passport

Your primary identity document will be your Vanuatu passport. When prompted during verification, select "Passport" and upload a clear image of the passport's photo page.

For successful verification, ensure:

• Your passport is valid and not expired
• The entire page is visible with no cut-off edges
• All details (photo, name, passport number) are legible and clear
• The machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the passport is visible

Since Vanuatu passports are less common, Coinbase's automated system might not immediately recognize it. Ensure the two lines of OCR text at the bottom (MRZ) are captured clearly – this data helps validate the document automatically. If the system has trouble on the first try, you may need to retry with a higher-quality photo or different lighting. In some cases, Coinbase might escalate to a manual review by their compliance team.

Selfie / Liveness Check

After uploading your passport, Coinbase will require a selfie or live photo to confirm your identity. This ensures you're the same person pictured in the passport.

Through the mobile app or webcam, you'll take a real-time photo of your face (sometimes a short video or specific pose). The system compares this biometric data to your passport photo to prevent fraud.

Be prepared to allow the Coinbase app access to your camera for this step. This "liveness" check is standard for all users globally and adds a crucial security layer to the KYC process.

Proof of Address (If Required)

Coinbase may or may not ask for a separate proof of address document – this depends on your circumstances and local regulations. Many users report that initially, only an ID and selfie are required.

However, if your ID doesn't include an address or if there's a discrepancy, Coinbase might later request address verification. For example, if you submit a Vanuatu passport but your profile says you live in Australia, Coinbase could ask for proof of your Australian address.

Acceptable documents typically include:

• Recent utility bill (electricity, water, internet) showing your name and address
• Bank or credit card statement with your address
• Official government correspondence or tax letter
• Rental lease or mortgage statement

Any document should be recent (usually within the last 3 months) and must show your full name and residential address exactly as entered on Coinbase.

Additional Background Information

Coinbase's signup may include a short questionnaire about your financial status and intended use of the platform. You might be asked about your employment status, source of funds, and expected trading volume as part of their compliance profiling.

Answer these questions truthfully and consistently. If you obtained Vanuatu citizenship through investment, it's perfectly fine to indicate your source of funds as personal savings or business proceeds – Coinbase just needs a general understanding for compliance purposes.

High-volume users or atypical profiles may trigger Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), where Coinbase requests more details about your sources of wealth or purpose of transactions. For most users, this step is simply a brief form during signup.

Tax Information (W-8BEN for Foreigners)

Because Coinbase is a U.S. company, foreign users must certify their tax status. As a Vanuatu citizen (assuming you're not also a U.S. citizen or resident), you'll need to submit a W-8BEN form to Coinbase.

This form certifies you're a non-U.S. person for tax purposes, allowing Coinbase to apply the correct tax rules to your account. In practice, you'll digitally sign this certification during onboarding.

The W-8BEN is important: without it, U.S. law requires Coinbase to assume a 30% tax withholding on certain U.S.-source income paid to you (like interest or staking rewards). Vanuatu has no tax treaty with the U.S., so 30% is the default withholding rate on those specific earnings.

Note that regular crypto trading profits are not U.S.-sourced income, so U.S. taxes won't apply to you in that scenario. But completing the tax form is a standard part of KYC for all foreign users.

Coinbase Verification Process: Step-by-Step for Vanuatu Users

Now that you understand the requirements, let's walk through the actual verification process step-by-step:

1. Account Creation

Start by providing your email and setting a password, then confirm your email. Next, enter your personal details – name, date of birth, address, country of residence, and phone number.

Accuracy is crucial here. Make sure the information matches your documents, as inconsistencies can cause delays in verification.

2. Select ID Type

When prompted to verify your identity, choose "Passport" as your ID type. Coinbase will list passport as an option for foreign ID verification. For Vanuatu citizens, the passport is the most reliable document to use.

3. Upload Passport Images

Using the Coinbase app or website, upload photos of your Vanuatu passport (the photo page). Ensure the image is high quality and well-lit. Double-check that your passport hasn't expired – an expired passport will be automatically rejected.

Position the passport so all edges are visible and text is clearly readable, especially the machine-readable zone at the bottom.

4. Complete Selfie Check

Follow the instructions to take a live selfie or webcam photo. Usually, the interface will guide you to center your face in the frame. This should only take a minute or two.

Make sure you're in a well-lit area with your face clearly visible. Submit the selfie so Coinbase can match it to your passport photo.

5. Provide Additional Documents If Prompted

If Coinbase's system flags anything (for example, if you said you live in one country but your passport or IP address suggests another), you may be asked to upload proof of address or answer additional questions.

Provide any requested utility bill or bank statement and answer any "source of funds" or occupation questions honestly. Most Vanuatu users won't face extensive questioning, but being prepared helps.

6. Waiting Period

After submission, wait for Coinbase to approve your KYC. Often, verification is completed within minutes if automated checks pass. However, for a Vanuatu passport (a less common document), the system might send it for manual review.

In that case, verification could take up to 24-48 hours. Coinbase will email you if they need anything else or once you're approved. Avoid resubmitting documents repeatedly during this time, as multiple submissions can confuse the process.

7. Account Approved – Start Trading

Once your KYC is approved, your Coinbase account status will show "Identity Verified." You can then link a payment method (bank account, credit/debit card) and begin buying/selling crypto.

Remember that Vanuatu's local currency, the Vatu (VUV), is not supported as a fiat currency on Coinbase. You'll be transacting in a major currency, most commonly USD for international users.

You might deposit funds via international wire or card that gets converted to USD, or use a USD stablecoin. This isn't a restriction specific to Vanuatu – Coinbase simply doesn't handle many smaller national currencies directly.

Restrictions and Special Considerations for Vanuatu Citizens

Once verified, your Coinbase account will function largely like any other. Coinbase doesn't impose arbitrary limitations based on nationality – features like trading, staking, and transferring crypto are available to all verified users equally.

However, there are a few special considerations worth understanding:

Sanctions and Blacklists

The good news is that Vanuatu is not under any U.S. sanctions program, so Coinbase doesn't ban Vanuatu users the way it would for countries like Iran or North Korea. There's no indication that Coinbase blocks Vanuatu IP addresses – users logging in from Vanuatu should access their accounts normally.

While using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions isn't recommended (Coinbase warns this can lead to account closure), Vanuatu users shouldn't need one since the country isn't geo-blocked.

Internal Risk Assessment – High-Risk Jurisdiction Status

One subtle factor is that Vanuatu has been labeled a high-risk jurisdiction in some compliance contexts, particularly by the EU. The European Commission keeps a list of high-risk third countries for AML, and Vanuatu has remained on that list in recent years (as of late 2023) despite having been removed from the FATF grey list in 2018.

What does this mean for you? As a Vanuatu passport holder, you might face a bit more scrutiny during KYC – perhaps a manual review or requests for additional information – because compliance officers are aware that Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment program has been under international scrutiny.

Coinbase might internally flag Vanuatu as higher risk and require senior approval for your account. This doesn't mean your account will be refused if everything is legitimate; it simply means the process might not be as instantaneous as for users from larger nations.

Enhanced Due Diligence Triggers

If you obtained your Vanuatu passport via the investor citizenship program and never visit Vanuatu, Coinbase's systems might notice that you consistently log in from a country different than your passport's origin.

This isn't against the rules (many people have second passports), but it could prompt Coinbase to verify everything is above-board. They might ask for proof of your current address or inquire about the reason for the mismatch.

Transparency is key – you can simply explain that you're a Vanuatu citizen by investment residing in your actual country. As long as your documents are genuine and you respond to any queries, you'll pass these checks.

Account Functionality – Currencies and Payment Methods

As mentioned earlier, Coinbase doesn't support the Vanuatu vatu (VUV) for fiat transactions. Vanuatu also doesn't have integrated payment rails with Coinbase (no direct bank link or instant buy in VUV).

This means you'll typically fund your account by:

• Using an international debit/credit card (which will charge in a supported currency, likely USD)
• Sending an international wire transfer (converting VUV to USD via your bank)
• Depositing cryptocurrencies you already own into Coinbase

Coinbase's USD wallet is available globally, so many Vanuatu users operate in USD on the platform. If you sell crypto, you'll get USD or USDC stablecoin credited, which you'd then convert to vatu externally if withdrawing to a Vanuatu bank.

Available Products

Coinbase features like advanced trading, staking, and Coinbase Earn are largely uniform globally but can vary based on local laws. For instance, staking services (earning interest on crypto) are available to most non-U.S. users.

As a Vanuatu user, you should have access to staking, since Vanuatu law doesn't prohibit it and Coinbase hasn't specifically excluded Vanuatu. In fact, you might face fewer restrictions than U.S. users, who are limited by SEC regulations on certain products.

Always check Coinbase's latest terms for regional availability of services, but as of now, nothing in Vanuatu's legal environment restricts Coinbase's features.

Regulatory Cooperation

When using Coinbase, remember that the exchange will comply with information requests from law enforcement and regulators in relevant jurisdictions. As a U.S. company, Coinbase primarily answers to U.S. authorities.

This likely has minimal impact on law-abiding Vanuatu users. However, if international authorities were investigating illicit finance involving Vanuatu, Coinbase might provide data on accounts from the region.

The takeaway? No Coinbase user is 100% anonymous from authorities – KYC information can be shared under legal process. Use Coinbase for legitimate purposes only and don't attempt to use your Vanuatu passport as a loophole for sanctioned or illegal activity.

Tax Withholding on U.S. Income

One "restriction" that affects all non-U.S. users on U.S. platforms: if you earn certain types of income on Coinbase that are considered U.S.-sourced (like interest from USDC holdings or staking rewards from a U.S. entity), U.S. law requires Coinbase to apply a 30% withholding tax for foreign persons (unless reduced by a tax treaty).

Vanuatu has no tax treaty with the U.S., so the full 30% would apply. This only affects specific income types, not capital gains from trading crypto.

If you stake crypto on Coinbase or earn rewards, check if Coinbase categorizes it as U.S. source income. Coinbase will either not pay certain rewards to foreigners until you've submitted W-8BEN, or they'll withhold 30% automatically and send it to the IRS.

After U.S. withholding, the remainder is yours, and there's no additional tax from Vanuatu (which has no income tax on individuals).

Recent Changes in Vanuatu's Regulations and Citizenship Programs

Vanuatu has undergone notable regulatory changes in the past two years that affect how a Vanuatu passport is perceived in KYC checks. Understanding these developments can help contextualize your experience with Coinbase.

Tighter Due Diligence in the Citizenship by Investment Program

Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program has been under international scrutiny for allegedly lax vetting. In response to pressure – such as the EU suspending visa-free travel for Vanuatu citizens – the country announced enhanced due diligence measures in August 2024.

The Vanuatu Citizenship Office & Commission implemented stricter background checks for applicants, aligning with ICAO standards, and introduced biometric screening requirements. Starting May 1, 2025, all new economic citizens must provide fingerprints and biometrics in person (either in Vanuatu or at designated consulates).

They've also launched new e-passports in December 2024 with improved security chips.

For Coinbase KYC, this is positive – it means compliance teams will have greater confidence that Vanuatu passports are legitimate and backed by thorough government checks. Over time, the "high-risk" label on Vanuatu may be removed by global regulators if these measures prove effective.

Visa Privileges Status

As a consequence of past CBI concerns, Vanuatu lost visa waiver access to the EU Schengen area and the UK in 2022. This underscores the security concerns that were associated with Vanuatu citizenship.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Vanuatu worked to address these issues. By tightening CBI vetting and considering changes like capping the number of passports or being more selective, Vanuatu is negotiating restoration of visa-free travel with the EU.

From a Coinbase perspective, this scrutiny likely made exchanges more cautious with Vanuatu IDs. As Vanuatu gets back in the EU's good graces, exchanges should relax any internal caution flags on Vanuatu citizenship.

New Cryptocurrency Legislation

On the fintech front, Vanuatu has embraced cryptocurrency by enacting legal frameworks to regulate the industry. In July 2021, Vanuatu amended its Financial Dealers Licensing Act to include provisions for digital asset businesses.

Building on that, the country drafted comprehensive Virtual Assets legislation. Parliament officially passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act in March 2025, recognizing digital assets as legitimate "mediums of exchange, units of account, or stores of value."

This new law establishes a licensing regime for crypto service providers under the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and brings Vanuatu in line with international standards, including compliance with the FATF "travel rule."

For Vanuatu citizens using crypto, this means several things:

1. Crypto is legal in Vanuatu with regulatory clarity
2. Vanuatu is signaling it's a responsible member of the global crypto community
3. Coinbase is less likely to blacklist or restrict Vanuatu users
4. Vanuatu is positioning itself as a potential crypto hub

Financial Intelligence Unit and AML Improvements

Alongside formal laws, Vanuatu has strengthened its institutions. The Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and regulators have been preparing for global assessments of its AML/CFT regime.

Vanuatu was removed from the FATF grey list in 2018 after making progress, and since then it has worked to maintain compliance. The recent enhancements (CBI due diligence, new AML laws, etc.) are part of Vanuatu's push to demonstrate effective oversight.

For users, this means your home country is less likely to cause compliance headaches abroad. Vanuatu is not on the FATF blacklist, and with new measures, it's fighting its "high-risk" label. International financial scrutiny is easing as Vanuatu proves its commitment to AML standards.

Taxation and Crypto

Vanuatu continues to have no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no exchange controls. This hasn't changed in 2024–2025 – the government hasn't introduced any tax on crypto either.

This is advantageous for Vanuatu crypto users: unlike many countries that tax crypto profits or require holdings disclosure, Vanuatu imposes none of that. For Vanuatu citizens, there's currently no domestic requirement to report crypto assets or pay tax on crypto gains.

This favorable tax stance, combined with Coinbase's compliance, means you can legally trade on Coinbase without owing Vanuatu any tax. You'd just need to follow any tax laws of the country you reside in (if you live outside Vanuatu and that country taxes crypto).

U.S. Regulatory Updates Influencing Coinbase KYC for Foreign Nationals

Since Coinbase is a U.S. company, recent U.S. regulatory developments affect how it handles foreign users like Vanuatu citizens. Understanding these changes helps contextualize the verification process.

Expanded Tax Reporting Requirements

A major change is coming in tax reporting. The U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (passed November 2021) requires cryptocurrency exchanges to report user transactions to the IRS, similar to stock broker requirements.

Starting January 1, 2025, Coinbase and other U.S. exchanges must track and report the gross proceeds of crypto sales for all customers on a new Form 1099-DA. By 2026, they'll also report cost basis and gross proceeds (effectively reporting gains/losses).

What does this mean for you as a Vanuatu user? Although you're not a U.S. taxpayer, Coinbase will issue a 1099-DA form to you (and a copy to the IRS) if your trading activity exceeds certain thresholds.

This is purely informational in your case – you won't owe U.S. tax on those trades, but the IRS will have a record of them. The main impact is increased transparency: you'll receive an IRS form from Coinbase showing your crypto sale amounts.

Don't be alarmed by this; it doesn't mean you owe U.S. tax. However, Coinbase will collect more information from you to comply with these rules, including verifying your tax status via the W-8BEN.

FinCEN and AML Rules

The core KYC rules that Coinbase follows come from the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) requires crypto exchanges to implement Customer Identification Programs and AML programs.

Regulators have been applying increased pressure on crypto firms to maintain robust AML controls. The NYDFS enforcement action in early 2023 (resulting in the $100M settlement) is an example: regulators found Coinbase needed to improve its background check processes.

For you, this means KYC might feel thorough – you're asked many questions and unusual activity might prompt requests for more information. Exchanges are now held to the same standards as banks.

Another FinCEN-related point is the Travel Rule: if you send crypto out to another exchange and it's over $1,000, Coinbase may require you to provide recipient details (and they'll share your sender info). When withdrawing large amounts of crypto, be prepared for these additional steps.

SEC and Regulatory Clarity

In the U.S., the SEC has asserted that some crypto assets are securities, and it sued Coinbase in 2023 for operating an unregistered securities exchange. As of early 2025, that legal battle continues, though with some positive developments.

If the SEC succeeds in classifying many tokens as securities, Coinbase might restrict trading of certain assets or require additional declarations from users. They might ask whether you're a qualified investor or add more KYC steps for high-risk assets.

Currently, nothing has changed for the retail KYC process – it's uniform for all users. Coinbase might eventually segregate U.S. and non-U.S. order books, but as a Vanuatu user on the main Coinbase platform, you're mostly affected by U.S. laws as described.

Data Privacy and Security Regulations

While the U.S. doesn't have a single GDPR-like law, Coinbase maintains a privacy policy protecting customer data. As a foreign user, your data will be held by Coinbase in the U.S. (and possibly in the EU if you interacted with their European entity).

Coinbase retains KYC data as long as necessary for compliance, which can be several years minimum. The company doesn't sell personal data per its privacy notice.

The good news: Coinbase has not reported any data breaches of identity data, and as a regulated financial entity, it's bound by confidentiality rules. Your data would only be shared for compliance purposes (e.g., with law enforcement or analytics providers for fraud detection).

Beneficial Ownership Rule

The U.S. is implementing a beneficial ownership registry (Corporate Transparency Act) requiring companies to report their owners to FinCEN from 2024. While this doesn't directly involve individual Coinbase users, it highlights the broader push for transparency.

If you ever interact with Coinbase's institutional side (opening a corporate account or an entity account as a Vanuatu IBC), you'd encounter these rules – disclosing the individuals behind the company. For personal accounts with a Vanuatu passport, only you as the individual matter.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Vanuatu Passport Holders

Using a Vanuatu passport for Coinbase KYC in 2025 is not only possible but relatively straightforward. Vanuatu citizens enjoy essentially the same onboarding process as other international users, with a few nuances worth understanding.

Recent developments create an environment where Vanuatu is improving its global reputation through stricter due diligence and crypto-friendly laws that meet international standards. Meanwhile, Coinbase, under U.S. law, is increasing transparency through new reporting requirements and rigorous compliance measures.

If you're a Vanuatu passport holder (whether by birth or investment), you can approach Coinbase KYC with confidence. Ensure your passport and supporting documents are ready, follow the steps carefully, and you should pass verification without significant issues.

The benefits of Vanuatu citizenship – tax neutrality, no capital controls, increasingly respected documentation – align well with Coinbase's secure trading environment. Many globally-minded investors are combining second citizenships like Vanuatu with platforms like Coinbase to optimize both freedom and compliance.

Stay informed about both Vanuatu's and the U.S.'s evolving regulatory landscapes, but take comfort knowing that Vanuatu's improving AML stance and Coinbase's established compliance infrastructure create a viable path for Vanuatu citizens to participate in the global crypto economy.

The key to success? Prepare thoroughly, be transparent, maintain patience during any additional verification steps, and embrace your unique position as a citizen of an emerging crypto-friendly jurisdiction with access to the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange.