Residence Visa (Foreign Investor ground)

Overview

The Foreign Investor ground is a basis for a Vanuatu Residence Visa for people running or investing in a business in Vanuatu, issued by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services. The applicant must hold a Foreign Investment Approval Certificate from the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) and, where applicable, a business licence. The visa is issued for set periods and renewed while the investment and approval continue; sustained qualifying investment can also support a later Permanent Resident Visa application, though that is assessed separately. This residence route is distinct from the Development Support Program, which grants citizenship, not residence. Confirm the current conditions and fees on the official Department of Immigration and VIPA pages.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Obtain (or confirm you hold) a VIPA Foreign Investment Approval Certificate and any required business licence for your activity in Vanuatu.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Gather your VIPA certificate, business and company documents, passport and character clearance.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply for the Residence Visa on the foreign-investor ground through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services.

4. 04

   After approval

   Receive the Residence Visa, maintain the investment and VIPA approval, and renew before expiry. Sustained qualifying investment may support a later permanent residence application.

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Compare Republic of Vanuatu with

• 🇳🇿 New Zealand
• 🇫🇯 Republic of Fiji
• 🇨🇰 Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand)

Related routes

• 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.

• Residence Visa (Employee ground)

  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.

• Residence Visa (Leasehold Holder ground)

  For people who hold a qualifying property leasehold in Vanuatu and can show a certified income. Land in Vanuatu is held by lease, so this route is built around leasehold ownership rather than freehold.