Residence Visa (Employee ground)

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

Application pathway

1. 01

   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. 02

   Build the evidence pack

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

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

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

4. 04

   After approval

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

Also explored by

Compare Republic of Vanuatu with

• 🇦🇺 Commonwealth of Australia
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• 🇩🇪 Federal Republic of Germany

Related routes

• Residence Visa (Self-funded ground)

  For people who can support themselves in Vanuatu from certified offshore income, without local employment. You show a regular income certified by a bank operating in Vanuatu.

• Residence Visa (Foreign Investor ground)

  For people investing in a business in Vanuatu who hold a Foreign Investor approval certificate from VIPA. The visa is granted on the foreign-investor ground and tied to that investment.

• Permanent Resident Visa

  Vanuatu's longer-term residence status, for people with Ni-Vanuatu descent, a long period of lawful residence, or a serious sustained investment. It is residence, not citizenship - the citizenship route is the separate Development Support Program.