Vanuatu Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Information last reviewed June 2024. Always verify with official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Vanuatu runs a relaxed visa regime. Most travellers collect a free visitor permit on arrival.
Visitor permit issued on arrival
Your passport must be machine-readable. Want longer than 30 days? Head to the Vanuatu Immigration Office, Port Vila before the first month runs out.
Pre-approved visitor visa issued online
Cost: Moderate processing fee paid online by card
Print the approval letter. The airline check-in desk will ask for it. The ETA is single-use, leave and return and you'll need a fresh application.
Sticker visa issued by Vanuatu diplomatic missions abroad
Processing can take 10 working days; same-day service does not exist. Check the mission accepts postal applications before you mail your passport.
Arrival Process
You'll pass three desks in sequence: health (if rules are active), immigration, then biosecurity and customs.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Duty concessions are modest. Strict bans safeguard Vanuatu's farms and reefs.
Prohibited Items
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds, protect against fruit fly
- Non-canned meat and dairy, foot-and-mouth disease prevention
- Spear guns, knuckle-dusters, classified as offensive weapons
- Pornographic material, illegal under domestic law
Restricted Items
- Firearms & ammunition, police permit required before import
- Medications with pseudoephedrine, pack a doctor's letter and keep them in original packaging.
- Drones, Civil Aviation Authority approval needed. Register on arrival
Health Requirements
Yellow fever vaccination is the only compulsory jab. Others hinge on where you've been.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (if arriving within 6 days from endemic country in Africa/Latin America)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Routine boosters (MMR, DPT)
- Influenza May-September
Health Insurance
Insurance isn't mandatory but is strongly recommended. Local hospitals may ask for payment upfront. Choose a policy that covers medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete Vanuatu Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Carry an unabridged birth certificate. If only one parent is travelling, bring a notarised consent letter from the other parent or a court order proving sole custody. The letter should list the absent parent's contact details.
Secure an import permit from Vanuatu Biosecurity 30 days ahead. The pet must be vaccinated against rabies at least 6 months prior, treated for internal and external parasites within 7 days, and fly with a vet certificate. Expect 30 days quarantine on arrival at your expense.
Visitor permit extension: visit Immigration before the first 30 days expire, pay the fee, and show onward travel and funds. The maximum total stay is 4 months in any 12-month period. For longer visits, secure residence or work permits before you arrive.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear — with shopping links for every item.
View Vanuatu Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to Vanuatu?
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