Everything You Need To Know About A Vanuatu Visa
The
government of Vanuatu follows a very liberal visa policy. As a result, citizens
of 120 countries are visa-exempt and can enter this nation only with a
passport. And luckily, the UK falls among these nations, which do not need a
visa to travel to Vanuatu for tourism or business purposes.
If
you hold an official British passport, you can enter Vanuatu without a visa.
Upon arrival, you do need to present your passport and proof of onward or
return travel. This facility allows you to stay in Vanuatu for a maximum period
of up to 30 days.
Do
note that visa-exemption is valid only when you are traveling for tourism and
business-related activities. For other purposes, such as work or studies, you
need a visa. We will come to that in the next sections.
Checklist for availing the visa-exemption facility
Passport:
Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months after your arrival date in Vanuatu. It should also have at least two blank pages so that the immigration officials can put the required stamps upon arrival and departure.
Transiting via Vanuatu:
If your travel itinerary includes connecting flights to other countries, then it might happen that those nations need a separate transit visa when you air-transit via their borders. Therefore ensure that you read the visa requirements for those specific countries.
Additionally, you can avail a transit visa exemption when you remain in the international transit area of the airport and continue your journey on the same flight. Again, apart from the onward/return ticket, remember to carry all the documents/visas required for the next destination(s).
It is always advisable to confirm with the airlines whether they permit travel without a visa. Sometimes, conditions can change without any prior update.
Other visa types
If you travel to Vanuatu for purposes other than tourism, business, or transit, you shall have to apply for a visa prior to your travel dates. Here are the types of visas offered by the Vanuatuan embassy:
- Student visa
- Residence visa
- Special category visa
- Interim visa
- Permanent residence visa
Let’s explore each of these visa types in detail.
Student visa
If you are planning to enter Vanuatu for studying in any institution in the nation, you shall require a student visa. When applying for one, you need to fill the student visa application form.
The required documentation includes:
- A certified copy of the bio-data pages and all used pages of a valid passport
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- An offer letter issued by the institution in Vanuatu confirming the applicant’s enrollment
- Security deposit and visa application fee
- A health certificate
Note: A student visa holds a validity of one year. If your period exceeds this allowable period, you will need to apply for a fresh visa next year.
Residence visa
A residence visa allows you to stay in Vanuatu for employment purposes. This visa allows you to stay in the nation for 12 months or more and must be obtained prior to your arrival in Vanuatu.
Documentation requirements
- A completed and signed visa application form
- A passport with a minimum validity of six months. Certified copies of the biodata page and all used pages of the passport.
- 2 passport-size photographs not older than 6 months
- Security deposit and visa application fee
- Medical certificate
- Police clearance certificate
A residence visa is issued under six categories -- the spouse of a Vanuatuan citizen, a dependent child of a Vanuatuan resident, an employee of an organization in Vanuatu (who will be working there for a minimum period of 12 months), self-funded resident, foreign investor, or landowner.
If you fall into any of these categories, only then you can apply for a residence visa. You also need to provide evidence that you fulfill this criterion. The required documentation for proof can be found on the visa application checklist on the application form itself.
Special category visa
A special category visa allows you to conduct diplomatic duties in Vanuatu. You can also use it to engage in employment opportunities with the Government of Vanuatu or to work with a certified donor agency. A special category visa is issued for a period of up to 5 years.
Documentation requirements
- A completed and signed visa application form
- A valid passport and certified copies of the biodata page and unused pages on the passport
- Two recent, passport-size photographs
- An original police certificate from all the countries you had resided in (for 12 or more months) during the last 5 years
- Medical certificate from a certified medical practitioner
- A recommendation letter from the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs OR the Public Service/ Police/ Teaching/ Judiciary Commissioner OR the head of a donor agency OR an an organization that offers development assistance to Vanuatu.
Interim visa
An interim visa allows you to enter Vanuatu for a maximum period of up to 4 months if your intention of travel includes work, research, or missionary activities. The visa is also applicable for a foreign investor who has lodged an application with the Vanuatu Investment and
Permanent residence visa
A a permanent residence visa is issued to an applicant if his or her parents are descendants of Ni Vanuatu. It can also be granted to an individual who has been staying in Vanuatu for the last 12 months. The visa can even be issued to an investor who wishes to invest in Vanuatu.
For this purpose, please fill in the permanent residence visa application form. Attach the required documents as specified under the subclass applicable to you. Submit the complete package to the immigration department and they will decide whether you are eligible for a visa.