New Zealand vs Republic of Vanuatu
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
New Zealand
New Zealand's immigration system is administered by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), a branch of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is the primary points-based residence pathway. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main employer-sponsored temporary route, replacing the former Essential Skills visa in 2022. Working Holiday Schemes, Post-Study Work Visas, and investor categories round out the system.
- Official portal
- Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
- Languages
- English, Te Reo Māori, NZ Sign Language
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar
Republic of Vanuatu
Vanuatu administers residence through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services, with six residence-visa grounds (partner, child, employee, self-funded, investor and leaseholder) and a permanent-resident visa. Its Development Support Program (citizenship by investment) is run separately by the Citizenship Commission and grants citizenship, not residence. Note that the EU removed Vanuatu from its visa-free Schengen list in December 2024.
- Official portal
- Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu)
- Languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Currency
- Vanuatu vatu
How New Zealand and Republic of Vanuatu differ
| Dimension | New Zealand | Republic of Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 7 | 7 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 5 | 5 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 3 | 4 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa | Residence Visa (Employee ground) |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | English, Te Reo Māori, NZ Sign Language | Bislama, English, French |
| Currency | New Zealand dollar | Vanuatu vatu |
| Primary regulator | IAA | VLS |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 1 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Recent policy activity
Last 6 months. Each entry links to its primary government source.
- 9 March 2026New Zealand
New Zealand: SMC reform from 24 August 2026 and a higher immigration median wage
Immigration New Zealand raised the immigration median wage and announced a Skilled Migrant Category overhaul taking effect in August 2026.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) →
Routes unique to New Zealand
Visa routes side by side
New Zealand (7)
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Permanent residence.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Up to 3 years (variable by occupation and pay).
Working Holiday Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 12 months (23 months for UK and Canada).
Post-Study Work Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 1–3 years depending on qualification level and study location.
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Permanent residence.
Active Investor Plus Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · 4-year conditional resident visa; transitions to full residence.
Student Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Duration of study programme plus a short buffer.
Republic of Vanuatu (7)
Residence Visa (Employee ground)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods (commonly one to several years) and renewable while you remain employed by the sponsoring business. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Self-funded ground)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you keep meeting the income condition. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Foreign Investor ground)
No sponsor · To settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you hold a valid VIPA certificate and the investment continues. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Leasehold Holder ground)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you maintain the qualifying leasehold and income. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Partner / Child ground)
Sponsor · To settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while the qualifying relationship continues. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Permanent Resident Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Longer-term permanent residence status, subject to the conditions and any renewal or reporting requirements set by the Department. Confirm the current terms on the official Department of Immigration page.
Development Support Program (citizenship by investment)
No sponsor · To settlement · Grants citizenship, not a time-limited residence; the underlying programme rules can change. Confirm the current rules with the Vanuatu Citizenship Office.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, New Zealand or Republic of Vanuatu?+
New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Vanuatu’s Residence Visa (Employee ground) is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Which immigration system has changed more recently, New Zealand or Republic of Vanuatu?+
In the last 6 months: 1 logged policy change for New Zealand, 0 for Republic of Vanuatu. See the recent-policy section above for the details, each linked to its primary source.