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Republic of Vanuatu · work sponsored

Residence Visa (Employee ground)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 13 September 2026

For people coming to work in Vanuatu for an employer, where the job runs for 12 months or more. The visa is granted on the employee ground and tied to that employment.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyIssued 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.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Department of Immigration page.
Government fees
Indicative only - residence visa fees vary by validity period and applicant age per the official schedule. Confirm current amounts on the official Department of Immigration page.
Typical duration
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.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu) ↗

In short

As of 12 July 2026, the Residence Visa (Employee ground) for Republic of Vanuatu is a sponsor-led Vanuatu immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Vanuatu government pages, reviewed 12 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/vanuatu/employee-residence-visa#answer

What is the Residence Visa (Employee ground) in Republic of Vanuatu?

Residence Visa (Employee ground) is a sponsor-led Vanuatu route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - residence visa fees vary by validity period and applicant age per the official schedule. Confirm current amounts on the official Department of Immigration page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Department of Immigration page; typical duration is 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. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Employee ground is one of the bases for a Vanuatu Residence Visa, issued by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services. It is for foreign nationals employed by a business in Vanuatu, typically where the role is for 12 months or more, and the main applicant must remain employed by the business on which the visa was granted. The Residence Visa is issued for set periods and renewed, and is separate from the Development Support Program (which grants citizenship, not residence). Fees and validity bands change, so treat any figures you read elsewhere as indicative and confirm them on the official Department of Immigration page.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm you have qualifying employment with a Vanuatu business (typically a role of 12 months or more) and that the employer will support the application.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather your passport, employment contract or letter, and any character or supporting documents the Department requires.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply for the Residence Visa on the employee ground through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services.

  4. After approval

    Receive the Residence Visa, stay employed by the sponsoring business, and renew before expiry as required.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Residence Visa (Employee ground), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Residence Visa (Employee ground) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Vanuatu

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Vanuatu. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Residence Visa (Employee ground) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residence Visa (Employee ground).

    Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

What happens to my Vanuatu Employee residence visa if I change jobs?+

The visa is granted on the employment with a specific business, and the main applicant must remain employed by that business. If that employment ends, the basis for the visa ends, and you would normally need a fresh application on a new basis. Confirm the current rules on the official Department of Immigration page.

Is the Employee residence visa the same as Vanuatu citizenship by investment?+

No. This is a residence visa based on employment. It is completely separate from the Development Support Program, which grants citizenship for a contribution rather than residence. Confirm details for each on the relevant official Vanuatu government page.

Can I get a Vanuatu Employee residence visa without already having a job offer?+

No. The Employee ground requires qualifying employment with a business in Vanuatu, and having no qualifying employment with a Vanuatu business is a common blocker. Without a job you would need a different route, such as the self-funded, foreign-investor or leasehold-holder ground. Confirm the current requirements on the official Department of Immigration page.

How long does my job have to last for a Vanuatu Employee residence visa?+

The Employee ground is typically for a role of 12 months or more with a business in Vanuatu, and you must remain employed by the business on which the visa was granted. Confirm the current requirements on the official Department of Immigration page.

Do I need my employer to sponsor my Vanuatu work residence visa?+

Yes. The Employee ground is sponsorship-based: it is for employees of a Vanuatu-registered business whose employer supports the residence application, and you provide an employment contract or letter from that business as evidence. Confirm the current requirements on the official Department of Immigration page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Vanuatu

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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