Republic of Vanuatu vs Independent State of Samoa
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:
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
Independent State of Samoa
Samoa Visa Atlas coverage is source-backed from Samoa Immigration pages under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The source packet covers visitor entry, business visitors, visitor extensions, temporary residence for employment, business and investment, study, family support or reunion, research, cultural and religious purposes, permanent residence, citizenship routes, official forms and fee tables. Applicants should use Samoa Immigration guidance and forms, then confirm the current filing place, fee and supporting evidence before travelling, working, studying, investing or relying on long-stay status.
- Languages
- Samoan, English
- Currency
- Samoan tala
How Republic of Vanuatu and Independent State of Samoa differ
| Dimension | Republic of Vanuatu | Independent State of Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 7 | 10 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 5 | 6 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 4 | 2 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Residence Visa (Employee ground) | Temporary Residence for Employment |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Bislama, English, French | Samoan, English |
| Currency | Vanuatu vatu | Samoan tala |
| Primary regulator | VLS | Immigration |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Routes unique to Republic of Vanuatu
Visa routes side by side
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 · Leads 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 · Leads 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 · Leads 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 · Leads to settlement · Grants citizenship, not a time-limited residence; the underlying programme rules can change. Confirm the current rules with the Vanuatu Citizenship Office.
Independent State of Samoa (10)
Visitor Permit on Arrival
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 90 days on arrival for visitor purposes, subject to Samoa entry requirements.
Business Visitor Permit
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Visitor framework; confirm permitted stay and activity limits with Samoa Immigration.
Visitor Permit Extension
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Further visitor stay; confirm the approved extension length with Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Employment
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Business or Investment
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Study
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Family Support or Reunion
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Research, Cultural or Religious Purposes
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Permanent Residence Permit
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Permanent residence status, subject to approval and any endorsement or reissue conditions.
Citizenship by Descent, Permanent Residence or Marriage
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Citizenship status after registration or recognition; processing depends on the citizenship route and decision.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Republic of Vanuatu or Independent State of Samoa?+
Republic of Vanuatu’s Residence Visa (Employee ground) is the dominant skilled route; Independent State of Samoa’s Temporary Residence for Employment is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Republic of Vanuatu or Independent State of Samoa have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Independent State of Samoa has more: 6 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 5 for Republic of Vanuatu. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.