Categories of work visas

Vanuatu offers three types of Vanuatu work permits:

• Long-Term Work Visa - this type of work permit is valid for one year. Individuals who wish to extend their stay in Vanuatu can extend their work visa for up to four years.
• Temporary Visa – If the applicant's period of employment is four months or less, he/she can apply for a temporary visa to Vanuatu.
• Exempted Visa - this type of visa is applicable to persons whose period of stay at work lasts for a very short period of time - one month or less.

If you are moving to work for a religious institution, you will be eligible to apply for a work permit that is valid for one year. You need to pay the same application fee for each of the different types of work permit. But please note that your annual tax may vary depending on the period of your stay in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu work visa requirements

To obtain a work permit in Vanuatu, the applicant's employer must submit an application. Make sure you have all the necessary documents to apply to the Department of Labor and Employment. Here is a list of Vanuatu visa requirements that you need to provide for your work permit:

• The applicant/employee must have a valid passport (at least 6 months from the date you plan to leave the country)
• Passport size photographs of the applicant
• The reason for employment is a non-Vanuatu citizen
• Copy of job notification
• A fully completed Vanuatu work visa application
• Employers also need a copy of their employee's flight details if they are applying for a Temporary Visa or an Exempted Visa.
• It should be noted that the application process will only be completed once a potential hire has been confirmed.

Application procedure

Although the procedure for applying for a Vanuatu work visa is quite simple, the processing time is a bit longer. For this reason, be sure to keep all documents at hand. Your application will be processed by the Vanuatu Department of Labor and Employment. In addition to promoting investment opportunities in the country, Vanuatu is also focusing on allowing the employment of foreign nationals. However, your application will be scrutinized by the Labor Commissioner, who will then decide on the suitability of employment based on various factors.

A Vanuatu work visa does not guarantee legal residence in the country. If the employee wishes to stay in the country for more than a year, he must personally apply for a residence permit in Vanuatu. Employers cannot apply for a residence visa on behalf of an employee.

Vanuatu remote worker visa

To make it easier for professionals to work in Vanuatu, the country has initiated a relatively new program called the Vanuatu Remote Worker Visa. Under this new scheme, a remote worker can now live in Vanuatu and continue to work for their employer or set up their own business registered in a foreign country.

People who can apply:

• Entrepreneurs and business owners working in organizations abroad
• Freelancers are people who offer their services abroad
• Teleworkers are persons who work in Vanuatu for a foreign employer

Requirements for a remote visa:

• Applicants must provide proof of income/source of income, expected income and a certified letter from a bank guaranteeing that they have sufficient funds
• Applicants must have no criminal record and must pass a police clearance test
• Candidates must provide a health certificate
• Applicants must have a valid passport and present a copy of his/her passport biography

Visa conditions for a remote worker in Vanuatu:

• Applicants must not apply for employment in Vanuatu
• Individuals do not have the right to apply for a change of status
• Individuals must not work for an employer in Vanuatu
• Applicant must reside outside of Vanuatu at the time of application for Vanuatu remote worker visa
• Applicants must present their return ticket when applying for a remote worker visa