Vanuatu Tourist Visa: Requirements, Fees, and How to Apply

A Vanuatu Tourist Visa is issued to foreign nationals for short-term visits to the country for tourism and social engagement. The visa is valid for 120 days in a calendar year and cannot be extended. As a tourist visa, it doesn’t come with the right to work or conduct any sort of commercial activities.

• Overview of the Vanuatu Tourist Visa
• Vanuatu Tourist Visa types
• Visa-exempt countries for the Vanuatu Tourist Visa
• Applying for a tourist visa in Vanuatu
• Vanuatu Tourist Visa Cost
• Extending a Vanuatu trip

Vanuatu Tourist Visa Overview

Vanuatu Tourist Visas are single-entry visas granted to tourists who wish to visit Vanuatu for a short period of time. Although the tourist visa is issued to most nationalities, there are exceptions if the individual doesn’t meet all the requirements. Vanuatu immigration authorities issue tourist visas on arrival to visitors from visa-exempt countries, which are valid for 120 days from the date of entry.

Types of Vanuatu Tourist Visas

The Vanuatu Tourist Visa is the primary visa for short-term entry into Vanuatu for tourist purposes. However, Vanuatu offers other visas that allow short-term visits.

Tourist Visa: 120-day single-entry visa issued upon entry to nationals of visa-exempt countries. Allows travel for Vanuatu tourism, visiting family and friends, and attending business meetings or conferences.

Visitor Visa: 30-day single-entry visa issued to nationals of non-visa-exempt countries. Allows travel for tourism, visiting family and friends, and attending business meetings or conferences.

Close Family Visa: 12-month multiple-entry visa issued to the spouse or dependent of a Vanuatu national or a foreign resident living in Vanuatu. The holder can stay in Vanuatu but has no right to work.

Ni Vanuatu Decent Visa: 12-month multiple-entry visa issued to a former Vanuatu citizen or a person of Vanuatu descent. The holder can stay in Vanuatu but has no right to work.

List of Countries that Qualify for a Tourist Visa on Arrival in Vanuatu

List of Countries that Must Apply for a Visitors Visa before Traveling to Vanuatu

How to Apply for a Vanuatu Tourist Visa

Travelers who qualify for a tourist visa in Vanuatu do not need to apply for one, as the visa is issued upon entry into Vanuatu. Those who wish to secure the visa before traveling to Vanuatu can submit an online application through the Vanuatu eVisa portal. The process is relatively straightforward. Applicants will be asked to:

1. Click “apply now” and the tourist visa tab
2. Register a personal login
3. Fill out the tourist visa application form and sign the necessary declarations
4. Pay the visa fee
5. Submit the application

Vanuatu Entry Requirements as per Tourist Visa

• The applicant should not be an illegal immigrant.
• The applicant should not be declared as unfit by a Minister to enter Vanuatu.
• The applicant should be able to pass the character test.
• The applicant should be in excellent health condition and should not have an infectious disease that can pose a threat to the citizens of Vanuatu.
• The applicant should pass the security test.
• The applicant should be able to support himself/herself financially during the stay in Vanuatu.
• The applicant must provide their travel itinerary showcasing their departure ticket from Vanuatu or an onward ticket to a different destination.
• If the applicant is under 18, they need to provide a written consent from their parents or legal guardians.

Vanuatu Tourist Visa Cost

Vanuatu visa categories have different costs for tourists and travelers visiting friends and family members.

• Tourist Visa: VT 5,150 ($43)
• Visitor Visa: VT 7,420 ($62)
• Close Family Visa:
  • VT 61,800 for adults ($518)
  • VT 5,150 for children under 18
• Ni-Vanuatu Decent Visa: VT 20,600 ($173)

Vanuatu Tourist Visa – Essentials

• The applicant should be located outside Vanuatu
• The applicant should complete and sign the Visitor Application Form
• The applicant needs to pay the visa application charge – 5,000 VT or 4.38 USD
• The applicant should provide a certified copy of their valid passport
• The applicant should be able to show their return ticket from Vanuatu or an onward ticket.
• The applicant should be able to show proof of sufficient funds during their stay in Vanuatu.
• The applicant should be able to showcase a genuine reason for departure from Vanuatu within a time period of 120 days. For this reason, an applicant can provide the following:
  • A letter from your current employer approving your leave
  • Itinerary – booking reservations with a trusted tourism facility
  • Proof of departure from Vanuatu – Return ticket
• Applicants must note that all supporting documents should be translated into one of the following languages – English, French or Bislama.
• Applicants under the age of 18 must have consent from parents or legal guardians to travel to Vanuatu. The Principal immigration officer from the Immigration department also needs to be satisfied with the consent letter provided.
• Solo applicants under the age of 18 not traveling as part of an organized tour also need to show an undertaking from a Vanuatu citizen or Vanuatu visa holder during the applicant’s stay period that states that they will be responsible for the food, accommodation, and welfare of the applicant during the stay period.

Extending Your Stay in Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Tourist Visa and Visitor Visa are non-extendable and only offer a single entry. Foreigners who want to extend a Vanuatu trip can apply for a Vanuatu Permanent Residency Visa through the self-funded visa, which allows those with a minimum income of $2,000 to reside in Vanuatu. Another option to get permanent visa status is to buy Vanuatu real estate to get a Land Owner Visa.

Foreign investors can also apply for Vanuatu citizenship by investment to extend a stay indefinitely. The requirement is a minimum investment of $130,000 in the country’s economy, and successful applicants receive a Vanuatu passport, eliminating all visa requirements.

Five Benefits of Traveling to Vanuatu

1. Many citizens from countries with limited travel access can travel to Vanuatu on a tourist visa.
2. As an archipelago with 83 islands, there are limitless things to do in Vanuatu for tourists.
3. With a validity period of four months, visitors holding a Vanuatu Tourist Visa can stay longer than in most countries, which typically offer stays of up to 90 days on a single trip.
4. Visitors who relocate to Vanuatu can take advantage of the country’s lenient tax system, as there are no Vanuatu taxes on personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains.
5. Vanuatu is generally safe for visitors, with violent crime being rare in tourist areas.

Travel Tips for Vanuatu Visitors

• Ensure you have a passport valid for at least six months and an onward ticket before traveling to Vanuatu.
• The Vanuatu Tourist Visa is issued upon arrival in Vanuatu, but the country’s eVisa portal allows visa-exempt travelers to obtain the visa before departure.
• While Vanuatu is safe, avoid public displays of affection and other actions that may draw attention from locals. Leave valuables and other expensive items in the hotel accommodation.
• Check weather reports leading up to your departure date, as Vanuatu is prone to adverse weather and natural disasters.
• Use ATMs inside banks in Vanuatu as they’re secure, eliminating the likelihood of card skimming and other fraudulent activity.
• The Vanuatu healthcare system is limited and lacks the infrastructure for emergency services and advanced care, so travel insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
• Consider obtaining Vanuatu citizenship by investment, as Vanuatu visa free countries improve global access, including removing visa requirements when traveling to Vanuatu.

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