Understanding the Vanuatu immigration requirements is a must for anyone looking at the country for retirement, investment, or starting a new life with family. The Department for Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services provides multiple options to visit or relocate there as a foreigner.
This guide explains the Vanuatu visa types, the best options, and application steps.
Who needs a visa to immigrate to Vanuatu?
All non-Vanuatu citizens can immigrate to the country, provided they have an appropriate visa and a residency permit. Visas are processed by the Department of Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services or Vanuatu consular services abroad.
Vanuatu Visa Categories
Citizenship by Investment
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program is an alternative to a visa or residence permit, allowing foreign nationals to obtain Vanuatu citizenship by investing in the country’s economy. The options to invest include:
- Donating $130,000 to the Development Support Program (DSP)
- Investing at least $200,000 in the Real Estate Option Program (REO)
- Donating $165,000 to the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP)
The program allows foreigners to apply as a single applicant or with family members, including a spouse, dependent children, and parents.
Permanent Residency Visa
The Vanuatu Permanent Residency Visa is a renewable ten-year visa that allows descendants of Vanuatu nationals and foreign investors to get a permanent resident permit. The options come under two subclasses:
Part A: Subclass 131: Granted to the child of Ni-Vanuatu citizen or someone of Ni-Vanuatu descent. This visa is also available to residents who have lived in the country for at least 12 months.
Part B: Subclass 132-135: Granted to foreign investors who make a significant investment in the Vanuatu economy.
Applicants can apply for permanent residency as a family of four with a spouse and two children.
Provisional Investor Visa
Vanuatu’s Provisional Investor Visa allows non-citizens who intend to invest in a business to obtain a one-year residence permit.
Business Investor Visa
The Business Investor Visa is a renewable three-year visa that follows the Provisional Investor Visa. It is granted to individuals who have received approval for the following:
- Foreign Investment Approval Certificate (FIAC) by VFIPA
- Certificate of Registration from VFSC
- Business license from the Vanuatu government
Director Investor Visa
The Director Visa provides an eight-year residency permit to non-citizens who make a minimum eight-year deposit into a bank in Vanuatu.
Permanent Investor Visa
A Permanent Investor Visa is available to Business Investor Visa holders who have been residing lawfully and continuously in Vanuatu for at least ten years while maintaining ownership and management of their business.
Work Visa
The Vanuatu Work Visa covers several sub-categories:
- Employment Visa: 12-month visa granted to individuals offered an employment contract with a Vanuatu business and issued a work permit by the Department of Labour & Employment Services.
- Short Term Employment Visa: One- to four-month short-term employment visa for skilled workers.
- Development Support Visa: A visa valid for up to five years for individuals working for an NGO in a development-related field approved by the Vanuatu government.
- Religious Worker Visa: A visa valid for up to five years for individuals engaging in in religious work or religious activity.
Student Visa
The Student Visa is available to international students enrolling in a course or study program at an educational institution in Vanuatu. It is valid for the duration of the program.
Retirement Visa
The Retirement Visa allows foreigners over 50 to retire in Vanuatu who are able to prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves as self-funded residents with a retirement income of at least $2,000.
Visitor Visa
There are two types of visas for Vanuatu tourism:
- Tourist Visa: Four-month single-entry visa for tourism, leisure, and family visits.
- Visitor Visa: One-month single-entry visa for tourism, leisure, and family visits.
Foreigners from visa-exempt countries can obtain a visa on arrival. Nationals of non-exempted countries must apply for a visa through a consular officer at an immigration office to enter Vanuatu.
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Vanuatu Immigration Requirements
The required documentation to immigrate to Vanuatu depends on the visa you’re applying for, but typically includes:
- Passport-size photograph
- A valid passport
- Criminal record certificate
- Birth certificate
- Proof of income (self-funded residents)
- Contract for a Vanuatu employer (work visas)
- Foreign Investment Approval Certificate (Business Investor Visa)
- Proof of Ni-Vanuatu ancestry (Permanent Residency Visa Subclass 131)
Immigration requirements through citizenship by investment
The requirements to acquire Vanuatu citizenship through the investment citizenship program are more rigorous. Successful applicants gain citizenship and a Vanuatu passport.
The eligibility criteria include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Holding a clean criminal record
- Passing a detailed background check
- Make a qualifying investment
- Having a minimum bank balance of $250,000
Investors are only eligible to apply through an Authorized Agent or Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment lawyer. The process requires attending a citizenship interview. The minimum investment required is $130,000, with options that include a donation or investing in Vanuatu real estate.
Vanuatu Immigration Fees
- Citizenship by Investment: USD $40 to $250
- Permanent Residency Visa: VATU 206,000 or VATU 463,500 for a family of four
- Provisional Investor Visa: VATU 51,500
- Business Investor Visa: VATU 206,000
- Director Investor Visa: VATU 309,000
- Permanent Investor Visa: VATU 3.09 million
- Work Visa:
- Employment Visa: VATU 257,500
- Short-Term Employment Visa: VATU 51,500
- Development Support Visa: VATU 10,300 or VATU 15,450 for a family of four
- Religious Worker Visa: VATU 10,300 or VATU 20,600 for a family of four
- Student Visa: VATU 15,450 or VATU 5,150 for minors
- Retirement Visa: VATU 309,000
- Visitor Visa: VATU 5,150
- Tourist Visa: VATU 7,420
Taxes Considerations when Immigrating to Vanuatu
For investors reviewing cost-of-living data and resources such as the Global Retirement Index developed by Global Citizen Solutions, Vanuatu’s favorable tax system is a major draw for relocation. Vanuatu taxes do not include income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes.
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