Vanuatu Visa Guide 2026: Types, Application Steps, and Tips

(VANUATU) Vanuatu’s 2026 visa rules are simple once you match the visa to your real purpose, but small mistakes still derail trips at the airport desk or the border counter. The biggest practical point for most travelers is timing: the Tourist Visa allows up to 120 days, yet it doesn’t allow work or business activity, and overstays can trigger fines or removal.

Travelers feel these rules in very real ways. A couple arriving for a long island break may be fine on a Tourist Visa, while a remote worker planning to “just answer emails” can end up breaching conditions. Families visiting relatives can also pick the wrong category and pay higher fees than needed, or arrive without the documents that immigration officers commonly ask for.

This guide lays out the full journey, from planning through arrival and staying compliant, using the 2026 update on Vanuatu visa categories, fees, and entry expectations.

2026 visa landscape in Vanuatu

Vanuatu offers multiple visa categories, and each one signals a clear intent to immigration officers. The core idea is straightforward: apply for (or accept on entry) the visa that matches why you’re coming, how long you’ll stay, and what you will do day to day.

The most common options described in the 2026 update include:

• Tourist Visa for leisure and social visits, up to 120 days, with no extension under that category.
• Visitor Visa for shorter stays, up to 30 days.
• Transit Visa for passing through to another destination.
• Close Family Visa for eligible family connections, up to 12 months.
• Ni Vanuatu Descent Visa for descendants of citizens or former citizens, up to 12 months.

Rules are enforced at the border, not just on paper. Officers look for a credible story backed by documents, especially proof you will leave and proof you can pay your way.

For the most current government instructions and any mid-year changes, the most authoritative place to check is Vanuatu’s official immigration site, the Vanuatu Immigration Department information portal.

Choosing the right visa

Start with the question immigration officers care about most: what is the main reason you are entering Vanuatu? If the answer is holiday, visiting friends, or seeing the islands, a Tourist Visa is usually the cleanest fit. If you’re only stopping between flights or ships, transit rules matter more than tourism rules.

A quick way to avoid category problems is to test your plan against three points:

1. Length of stay: 30 days and 120 days are key thresholds in the published rules.
2. Activities: paid work and commercial activity are barred on tourist and visitor permissions.
3. Ties to departure: return tickets and sufficient funds help show you will exit on time.

VisaVerge.com reports that the most common refusal triggers in small island destinations are not “complex legal issues,” but basic credibility gaps, like vague itineraries, weak funds evidence, or no onward travel proof.

Choosing the right category also affects your budget. Fees differ across visa types, and paying the wrong one doesn’t fix an underlying mismatch if your purpose of travel is inconsistent.

Tourist Visa: 120-day stay rules

The Tourist Visa is built for genuine tourism, leisure, and social visits. Under the 2026 update:

• It allows a maximum stay of 120 days.
• It is described as not extendable as a tourist permission.
• It strictly prohibits commercial, employment, or business activities while in Vanuatu (includes paid local gigs and providing services to local clients).

If you are from a non-exempt country and must apply and pay for a tourist permission, the tourist visa application fee in 2026 is 5,150 VUV (approximately $43 USD). Treat the fee as the smallest part of your cost planning; the bigger issue is arriving with consistent documents that match a tourism story.

A solid tourist plan usually includes:

• Confirmed lodging
• A believable island-to-island itinerary
• Proof of funds that fits the length of stay

A 120-day trip is long, so weak financial evidence stands out quickly at inspection.

eVisa and entry-on-arrival options

Vanuatu’s process is more streamlined because digital options exist. The 2026 update states a key point: travelers who qualify for a tourist visa from exempted countries do not need to apply in advance, as the visa is issued upon entry into Vanuatu. That means preparation still matters, but the paperwork stage may be lighter.

For travelers who do require a visa, or who want to settle paperwork before flying, the online route can reduce uncertainty. The published steps for the online Tourist Visa process are:

1. Select the Tourist Visa option and start an application.
2. Register a personal login.
3. Complete the form and sign required declarations.
4. Pay the visa fee.
5. Submit the application.

Even when the process is “typically quick,” time gets eaten by document scanning, certification, and payment issues. Treat your submission date as a planning anchor, and book travel with enough buffer to handle corrections if the portal rejects a file.

Documents that decide your trip

Vanuatu’s published requirements focus on common-sense border controls: identity, admissibility, money, and a plan to leave. Prepare these in a single folder, with paper copies and digital backups:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of arrival.
• Proof of return or onward transportation, such as a return ticket.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the full stay.
• A certified copy of the passport for online applications.
• If required, evidence of yellow fever vaccination.

Notes and practical tips:

• “Six months validity” is a hard rule in many travel systems. Airlines often deny boarding if your passport is too close to expiry.
• The return ticket is especially important for long stays like 120 days, because it demonstrates a defined end date.
• For families, align documents across travelers. If one adult shows a return flight and another does not, the group can face extra questioning.

What happens at the border

Arrival is usually smooth when your documents match your story. The 2026 update describes the core arrival step plainly: present your visa (if obtained in advance) and your travel documents for immigration clearance. Officers want quick answers and consistent paperwork.

Expect the interaction to focus on:

• How long you will stay.
• Where you will stay.
• How you will fund the trip.
• When you will leave, and on what ticket.

Keep answers short and aligned with what you can prove. If you say you will stay with friends, have an address and contact details ready. If you say you will island-hop, have a simple itinerary and lodging notes.

Behavior expectations:

• Visa holders must comply with Vanuatu laws and behave in a way that does not prejudice peace, good order, or public morality.
• Everyday meaning: avoid fights, public disorder, drug trouble, and activities that look like unauthorized work.

If your circumstances change during your stay, inform immigration promptly—don’t wait until the last day to fix a status problem.

Immigration officers look for a credible, consistent story supported by documents. Quick, verifiable answers reduce the chance of refusal or extra questioning.

Staying longer and avoiding overstay

Overstaying is one of the fastest ways to turn a dream trip into a serious immigration problem. The 2026 update warns that overstaying can lead to fines or deportation, and these consequences can complicate future travel plans.

Options and timing:

• If you entered visa-free for 30 days and want more time, you may apply for a standard residence permit or request an extension of stay up to 120 days at the Immigration Office.
• The key is timing: act before your permitted stay expires.

Simple compliance routine:

• Confirm the date you were admitted and the last legal day.
• Set reminders at 14 days and 7 days before expiry.
• Keep funds evidence updated if you extend.
• Keep your passport valid throughout any extended time.

Remember: a Tourist Visa allows 120 days, but it also locks you into non-work conditions. If your plans evolve (study, family residence, work), address it early and through the correct visa channel.

Special categories: family, transit, descent

Several less-common visas matter for specific travelers:

• Visitor Visa
• Valid for a maximum period of 30 days.
• Compliance expectations: obey Vanuatu law, avoid conduct that harms peace/public morality, do not engage in paid employment or commercial business activities.
• Application fee: 7,420 VUV (approximately $62 USD).

• Transit Visa

• For travelers passing through Vanuatu to another destination.
• Application charge: 1,855 VUV.

• Practical tip: carry onward tickets and make transit plans easy to verify.

• Close Family Visa

• Valid for a maximum of 12 months.

• Fees: 61,800 Vatu for adults and 5,150 Vatu for those under 18.

• Ni Vanuatu Descent Visa

• Runs 12 months.
• Application fee: 20,600 Vatu.

These longer permissions can change daily-life planning, including schooling, housing, and budgeting. They invite closer scrutiny of relationship or descent evidence—document quality matters.

2026 shift for Ni-Vanuatu travelers to Europe

A major 2026 development affects outward travel for Ni-Vanuatu citizens. The update states:

• Starting in Q4 2026, Ni-Vanuatu citizens will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle to the Schengen Area.
• Starting in 2026, the Vanuatu passport no longer grants visa-free entry to the Schengen Area; travelers will now require a visa or ETIAS.

Processing is described as fast: ETIAS is normally processed and approved within minutes, with authorization sent by email in PDF form. However, boarding checks occur before travel begins, so planning remains necessary.

Impact summary:

• Families who relied on visa-free Schengen travel will see changes to trip costs, lead times, and risk of being turned away at check-in.
• This outward-looking rule does not change inbound Tourist Visa rules, but it matters for dual citizens, diaspora families, and frequent international travelers.

Citizenship by investment pathway

For those considering a longer-term relationship with Vanuatu, the 2026 update describes a Citizenship by Investment Program with eligibility rules and costs.

Key eligibility and requirements:

• Main applicants must be between 18 and 65 years old.
• Applicants must have a spotless criminal record.
• Applicants must show at least $250,000 in personal or shared net assets.

Common route: Vanuatu Development Support Program (VDSP) — government donation model:

• Single applicant: $130,000
• Married couple: $150,000
• Family of three: $165,000
• Family of four: $180,000
• Additional dependent: +$10,000 each

“All-in” cost estimates including due diligence and processing fees:

• Single applicant: USD $135,500
• Married couple: USD $155,500
• Family of three: USD $170,500
• Family of four: USD $185,500

Alternative: Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF) — $50,000 potentially redeemable after five years, appealing to applicants seeking partial capital recovery.

Process timeline and fees:

• Due diligence fee: $5,000.
• “Approval in Principle” typically within two to three weeks.
• Letter of Approval issued within two to three weeks of payment.
• Oath of allegiance can be completed remotely via video conference.
• Citizenship certificate and passport are delivered within four weeks.

Key benefits listed:

• No residency or visit requirements
• Dual citizenship allowed
• Tax profile: no personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or property tax

Eligibility restrictions:

• Citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and North Korea are not eligible unless they have lived outside those countries for over five consecutive years.

When considering this pathway, also factor in the 2026 ETIAS and Schengen changes for mobility benefits.

Practical checklist and realistic timelines

Most Vanuatu travel succeeds when the visa is treated as a compliance plan, not just a stamp. Build your timeline backward from your flight date, even if you expect visa-on-arrival.

Recommended timeline:

1. Two months out: Confirm whether you are visa-exempt and map your intended stay length.
2. Six weeks out: Check passport validity meets the 6-month rule and gather funds proof.
3. One month out: Lock accommodation plans and book return or onward travel.
4. Two weeks out: Assemble certified passport copies if applying online, and check vaccination rules.
5. Departure week: Print key documents and keep digital copies accessible offline.

Specific note for U.S. citizens:

• U.S. citizens are noted in the 2026 update as not requiring a tourist visa for stays of up to 30 days, but longer stays involve an extension or residence pathway through the Immigration Office. This matters when planning honeymoons, diving courses, or multi-island family visits beyond a month.

Final practical reminder:

• The safest way to protect your trip is to keep your activities aligned with your visa type. If you enter on a Tourist Visa for 120 days, keep it tourism. That single decision prevents most downstream immigration problems.