Tuvalu Visa Requirements 2026: VOA, Permits, and Application Tips

(TUVALU) Tuvalu still runs one of the simplest entry systems in the Pacific: most visitors get a visa on arrival at Funafuti International Airport or the seaport, usually within minutes. As of January 2026, that entry permit normally lasts up to 1 month and costs 100 AUD, a detail that trips up travelers who assume they must apply before flying.

Visa on arrival rules in practice

Tuvalu uses the term entry permit for most short stays. Immigration officers issue it at the counter after checking your passport, your plans, and your ability to pay for the trip. For most nationalities the pattern is straightforward:

• United States passport holders: visa on arrival for up to 30 days with no pre-approval.
• Taiwan citizens: up to 90 days.
• Schengen Area citizens: 90 days in any 180-day period (Ireland is excluded from this European list).

A visa waiver with Saint Kitts and Nevis exists but remained unratified going into 2026, so most travelers should plan on the port-of-entry process.

Documents to have in hand

Immigration officers expect basic documentation. Having these ready speeds the line, especially when several flights arrive in close succession.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the day you land.
• Return or onward ticket.
• Proof of funds to cover lodging and food (bank statements, cash, or a sponsor letter).
• Accommodation details and a simple itinerary.

If you arrive from a yellow fever risk country, expect to show vaccination proof, because health screening is part of protecting Tuvalu’s population of around 11,000.

Picking the right permit type

For most visitors the tourist/visitor permit is the only document issued; it is placed as a stamp or sticker after you pay the 100 AUD fee.

Tuvalu also issues purpose-based permits at the border for:

• Business meetings (carry an invitation letter or sponsor contact details).
• Transit stops.
• Work (workers need a sponsor letter; for stays over one year, medical exams and police clearances are required).

Tuvalu does not run an e-visa portal. Third-party companies may offer paid consultations, but the final decision is made by Tuvalu’s immigration officers.

Step-by-step at the airport or port

1. Preparation

– Keep passport, ticket, and accommodation details together.
– Carry AUD or USD cash (card payments and ATMs are not always reliable).
2. Immigration counter
– Officers ask simple questions, check documents, and collect the 100 AUD fee for a standard visitor permit.
3. Health and security checks
– Usually light; stricter if you declare work plans or a long stay.
4. Issuance
– Most travelers receive the stamp right away.
– Complex permits can require referrals and may take 5–10 business days.

Check the date written in your passport before leaving the counter. Overstays bring fines starting at 100 AUD per day, and can lead to deportation and bans.

Staying longer without problems

If you need more time in Tuvalu, submit an extension request to the Immigration Office in Funafuti. Approval is not automatic in a country with limited staff and housing, so:

• Build a buffer early due to limited flights and weather-related schedule changes.
• Keep copies of your passport ID page and entry permit.
• Be prepared to show more proof of funds—many travelers underestimate cash needs on Funafuti.

Practical travel checks that save time

• Keep Sunday in mind: Sabbath rules mean many services close, affecting shopping, assistance, or bill settlement if you arrive late.
• Internet can be patchy—store digital backups offline and bring printed copies of important documents.
• Overstaying is the fastest way to ruin future travel; fines start at 100 AUD per day, and officers can detain people while waiting for the next seat out.

For Tuvaluans: Australia’s Falepili Mobility Pathway

The major 2025–2026 development for Tuvaluan citizens is the Falepili Mobility Pathway, described as a world-first climate visa. Key points:

• Ballots opened June 16 to July 18, 2025 for the program year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
• Up to 280 visas are available each year.
• Winners were due to hear results by January 2026, then move into health and character checks before they can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
• This pathway does not require a job offer.
• Eligibility:
• Tuvaluan passport holders aged 18 or older.
• Born in Tuvalu, or have a parent or grandparent born in Tuvalu.
• Excludes New Zealand citizens.
• Costs:
• Registration: $25.
• Visa charges: $200 for the main applicant + $50 per dependent.
• Travel is paid by the family, not the government.
• Relationship evidence:
• De facto partners need proof of at least 12 months together.
• Families should gather birth certificates and relationship documents early.

Australia posts official details through the Department of Home Affairs. The safest starting point is the Australian Department of Home Affairs immigration portal: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/.

Falepili summary table

A realistic timeline for both journeys

• Short-stay visitors: plan documents before travel, clear immigration on arrival, and leave within the stamped period unless you secure an extension.
• Workers: add lead time for medical exams and police certificates; bring originals.
• Falepili applicants: ballot registration (mid-2025), selection notice (by January 2026), then health and character checks and self-funded travel once approved.

Common mistakes and how officials react

• Arriving without a clear exit plan raises concerns about overstaying in a place with few jobs and limited housing.
• Assuming business or work is covered by the tourist stamp can trigger additional questioning or supervisor referral.
• For Falepili applicants, relationship and documentary evidence for partners and dependents is the most common stumbling block.

If you’re transiting onward

• Tuvalu issues transit permits for short layovers—carry the onward ticket.
• Keep bags tagged through when possible to avoid re-checking luggage on tight connections.
• Note for Tuvaluan passport holders: Europe plans ETIAS in Q4 2026, so check entry rules before booking Schengen travel.