The Republic of Vanuatu is a Pacific island nation in Melanesia known for its stunning natural environment, cultural diversity, and growing appeal as a tourist destination. Vanuatu operates a largely open visa policy, offering visa-free access to citizens of over 80 countries for 120 days, while other nationalities receive a 30-day visitor visa on arrival. Vanuatu has also introduced an e-Visa system for non-exempt nationalities.

2. Visa-Free Entry — 120 Days

Citizens of the following countries may enter Vanuatu without a visa for up to 120 days. Entry is permitted for purposes of tourism, family visits, and business conferences. Commercial or income-generating activities are not permitted on a visitor entry.

Europe	Americas & Caribbean	Asia-Pacific & Africa
Austria	Antigua and Barbuda	Australia
Belgium	Argentina	Fiji
Bulgaria	Bahamas	Japan
Croatia	Barbados	Kiribati
Cyprus	Belize	Marshall Islands
Czech Republic	Brazil	Micronesia
Denmark	Canada	Nauru
Estonia	Chile	New Zealand
Finland	Colombia	Palau
France	Costa Rica	Papua New Guinea
Germany	Cuba	Philippines
Greece	Dominica	Samoa
Hungary	Dominican Republic	Singapore
Iceland	Ecuador	Solomon Islands
Ireland	El Salvador	South Korea
Italy	Grenada	Tonga
Latvia	Guatemala	Tuvalu
Liechtenstein	Guyana	United Kingdom
Lithuania	Haiti	Israel
Luxembourg	Honduras	South Africa
Malta	Jamaica	Mauritius
Monaco	Mexico	Seychelles
Netherlands	Nicaragua
Norway	Panama
Poland	Paraguay
Portugal	Peru
Romania	St. Kitts and Nevis
San Marino	St. Lucia
Slovakia	St. Vincent and Grenadines
Slovenia	Suriname
Spain	Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden	United States
Switzerland	Uruguay

3. Non-Exempt Nationalities — 30-Day Visitor Visa on Arrival

Citizens of countries not listed in the 120-day visa-free category receive a 30-day visitor visa upon arrival in Vanuatu. This visa may be extended up to 120 days total if required. The visa on arrival is free of charge.

• All other nationalities not covered by visa-free provisions receive a 30-day visitor visa
• Visitor visa is issued at the port of entry without charge
• Visa can be extended through the Vanuatu Immigration Department
• Maximum total stay: 120 days per visit

4. e-Visa System

Vanuatu introduced an electronic visa (e-Visa) system to facilitate pre-travel visa applications for nationalities that would otherwise need to apply in advance at an embassy or consulate. The e-Visa allows travelers to complete their visa application online before departure.

4.1 e-Visa Features

• Available to: Most nationalities not covered by visa-free arrangements
• Application: Online through the Vanuatu government immigration portal
• Processing time: 5–7 business days (standard)
• Validity: Single or multiple entry options available
• Duration: Up to 30 days initially (extendable to 120 days in-country)

4.2 e-Visa Application Requirements

• Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay
• Digital passport photograph meeting specifications
• Return or onward travel ticket
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host’s invitation)
• Proof of financial means
• Completed online application form
• Payment of applicable fee by credit or debit card

5. Tourist Visa — Permitted Activities

Entry to Vanuatu on a visitor/tourist basis permits the following activities:

5.1 Permitted Activities (120 Days)

• Tourism and leisure travel
• Family visits (visiting relatives residing in Vanuatu)
• Attendance at business conferences and seminars (as participant, not organizer)
• Cultural and educational visits
• Transit through Vanuatu

5.2 Prohibited Activities on Tourist/Visitor Entry

• Engaging in any paid work or employment
• Conducting commercial activities or operating a business
• Earning income from sources within Vanuatu
• Permanent or long-term residence without appropriate visa

Persons wishing to work or conduct business activities in Vanuatu must apply for the appropriate work permit or business visa prior to or upon arrival.

6. General Entry Requirements

6.1 Passport Requirements

• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay
• Minimum of 2 blank pages for entry stamps
• All travelers must complete an arrival card (provided on aircraft or at entry point)

6.2 Health Requirements

• No mandatory vaccinations required for most travelers (unless arriving from Yellow Fever endemic countries)
• Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries
• Travel health insurance strongly recommended
• Medical facilities in Vanuatu are limited — travelers with health conditions should plan accordingly

6.3 Financial Requirements

• Proof of sufficient funds for the intended duration of stay
• Return or onward travel ticket
• Accommodation confirmation or letter of invitation

7. Entry Points

7.1 International Airports

• Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, Efate (main international hub)
• Pekoa Airport, Luganville, Santo (secondary international entry)

7.2 Sea Entry

• Port Vila Wharf (cruise ship and yacht arrivals)
• Luganville Wharf, Santo
• Various smaller island ports for yacht arrivals (clearance required)

8. Citizenship by Investment Program

Vanuatu operates one of the Pacific’s most prominent citizenship by investment (CBI) programs. While this is not a visa category per se, it is relevant to understanding Vanuatu’s international mobility offerings:

• Vanuatu’s passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 90 countries
• Investment options include the Development Support Program (DSP) and others
• Citizenship can be obtained without residency requirements
• This has made Vanuatu passports popular with international investors

9. Extension of Stay

Visitors who wish to extend their stay beyond the initial period granted may apply for an extension at the Vanuatu Immigration Department in Port Vila or Luganville:

• Extensions available up to a combined maximum of 120 days per visit
• Applications must be submitted before the current permission expires
• Overstaying without authorization is subject to fines and deportation
• Repeat overstay violations may result in future entry bans

10. Notes for Travelers

Vanuatu is a popular destination for scuba diving (particularly the SS President Coolidge wreck), trekking, cultural experiences, and beach tourism. The country has 83 inhabited islands and over 100 languages. Travelers should note:

• The official languages are Bislama, English, and French
• Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu vatu (VUV) as its currency
• The volcanic activity on some islands (e.g., Ambae, Tanna) may affect travel plans
• Natural disasters including cyclones can occur — monitor weather advisories
• Visa policy information sourced from Wikipedia; verify with official Vanuatu Immigration sources before travel