Residence Visa (Partner / Child ground)

Overview

The Partner and Child grounds are family bases for a Vanuatu Residence Visa, issued by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services, for the partner (including a de facto partner) or child of someone settled in Vanuatu, such as a Vanuatu citizen or a resident. The application is supported by the sponsoring family member and requires authenticated relationship documents. The visa is issued for set periods and renewed; where the sponsor is a Vanuatu citizen, a family relationship can in some cases support a later Permanent Resident Visa, which is assessed separately. This residence route is distinct from the Development Support Program, which grants citizenship rather than residence. Confirm the current conditions and fees on the official Department of Immigration page.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm your partner or child relationship with someone settled in Vanuatu and that they will support the application.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Gather authenticated relationship or birth certificates, the sponsor's status evidence, your passport and character clearance.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply for the Residence Visa on the partner or child ground through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services.

4. 04

   After approval

   Receive the Residence Visa and renew before expiry while the relationship continues. Where the sponsor is a citizen, you may later explore permanent residence, assessed separately.

Also explored by

Compare Republic of Vanuatu with

• 🇨🇰 Cook Islands (self-governing country in free association with New Zealand)
• 🇦🇺 Commonwealth of Australia
• 🇳🇿 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 (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.