Vanuatu Passport: Visa‑free, Visa‑on‑arrival & Evisa Countries (2026, Schengen/etias Update)

Introduction Quick Answer

A Vanuatu passport visa free travel list currently encompasses approximately 90–100 destinations worldwide where holders may enter without a pre-arranged visa, receive a visa on arrival, or obtain a rapid eVisa. According to the Vanuatu Department of Immigration & Passport Services, citizens benefit from exemptions spanning the Asia-Pacific, much of the Caribbean, parts of Africa, and crucially the Schengen Area of the European Union, subject to the new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation launching in 2026. The Henley Passport Index 2026 ranks Vanuatu in the mid-range of global mobility, reflecting consistent diplomatic gains over the past decade. Exact totals fluctuate as bilateral agreements are signed, suspended, or modified the data on this page was last verified on 6 July 2026.

Snapshot Card Mobility Score & Headline Counts

• Henley Passport Index 2026 Mobility Score: ~90 destinations (visa-free or visa-on-arrival)
• Visa-Free: ~55 | Visa on Arrival / eVoA: ~25 | eVisa: ~15 | Visa Required: remainder
• Last Verified: 6 July 2026

Based on Vanuatu Department of Immigration & Henley Passport Index see Sources.

How to Read This Page & Table

The destinations table below organises every country and territory into four entry types for Vanuatu passport holders:

• Visa-Free: No visa or pre-travel authorisation needed; present passport at the border. Note: from 2026, Schengen-area entries will additionally require ETIAS authorisation (see below).
• Visa on Arrival (VoA): Visa issued at the port of entry; fees may apply.
• eVisa: Online visa application required before departure.
• Visa Required: Traditional consular visa application necessary.

Important: “Visa-free” access does not confer the right to work or reside. Maximum-stay limits apply and overstaying is a criminal offence in most jurisdictions. The table includes a “Maximum Stay” column (in days) and a “Notes” column highlighting special cases Schengen 90/180 rules, UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), US visa requirements, transit-only permissions, and diplomatic-passport-only exemptions. All data is sourced from official government immigration websites or the Vanuatu Department of Immigration listing. You may download the full dataset via the Download CSV and Download PDF links provided alongside the table, each of which includes the source URL and “verified on” date for every row.

Vanuatu Passport Visa Free Destinations Complete Table

The table below presents a representative sample of the first ten rows, sorted by entry type (visa-free first) then alphabetically. The full, sortable table with region filters is available on the interactive version of this page. Each row has been individually verified against official sources as of 6 July 2026.

[Download CSV] | [Download PDF] full table with source URLs and verification dates included.

The complete interactive table contains all visa-free, visa-on-arrival, eVisa, and visa-required destinations, sortable by region (Asia & Oceania, Americas & Caribbean, Africa, Europe) and entry type. Each row links to the relevant destination country’s official immigration website for independent verification.

Region Breakouts

Asia & Oceania

The Asia-Pacific region represents the strongest cluster of Vanuatu passport visa free destinations. As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Vanuatu enjoys visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to most Pacific island nations including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. In Southeast Asia, notable visa-free countries include Singapore (30 days), Malaysia (30 days), the Philippines (30 days), and Indonesia (30 days visa-free). Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste offer visas on arrival. Japan and South Korea generally require a visa for Vanuatu nationals. Australia and New Zealand require pre-arranged visas, though Vanuatu citizens benefit from preferential labour-mobility pathways under bilateral agreements.

Americas & Caribbean

Vanuatu passport holders have limited visa-free access to North America the United States requires a B-1/B-2 visa (ESTA is unavailable to Vanuatu nationals), and Canada requires a visitor visa. However, several Caribbean nations grant visa-free entry or visas on arrival, including Haiti, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica. In Central and South America, some states offer eVisa options. Bolivia offers visa-on-arrival access. These arrangements make the Caribbean a logical travel corridor for holders exploring second-citizenship jurisdictions.

Africa

African destinations increasingly offer eVisa or visa-on-arrival access. Vanuatu passport holders may obtain visas on arrival in countries including Madagascar, Mozambique, Comoros Islands, and several East African nations participating in the East Africa Tourist Visa programme. Ethiopia and Kenya have moved to eVisa-only systems, streamlining access for Vanuatu citizens. West and North African states generally require consular visas, although Rwanda offers visa-free entry to all nationalities.

Europe Schengen & Exceptions

Europe represents the highest-value travel cluster for Vanuatu passport holders. Vanuatu nationals enjoy visa-free access to all 29 Schengen Area countries for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period a benefit that will now require an additional ETIAS pre-travel authorisation from 2026. Non-Schengen EU members (Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus) have separate entry rules. Ireland may require a visa depending on nationality updates; check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. The United Kingdom, post-Brexit, operates its own immigration policy Vanuatu passport holders currently benefit from visa-free visits of up to 180 days, though the UK’s forthcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme may add a pre-registration step. Russia and several Eastern European non-Schengen states generally require consular visas.

2026 Schengen / ETIAS Update and Practical Travel Steps

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is the most significant change affecting Vanuatu travel freedom in 2026. ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation not a visa required for nationals of visa-free countries (including Vanuatu) before entering any Schengen Area state. The European Commission has confirmed the system’s rollout in 2026, operating alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES) to digitise border management.

For Vanuatu passport holders, ETIAS does not remove visa-free status it adds an electronic screening layer. The authorisation is valid for three years or until the passport expires, covering unlimited short-stay trips within the 90/180-day rule. The 2026 State of Schengen Report underscores the EU’s commitment to strengthening pre-screening while maintaining visa-free travel for qualifying nationalities.

Practical steps for Vanuatu citizens travelling to the Schengen Area:

1. Determine ETIAS applicability: All short stays (tourism, business, transit) of up to 90 days within 180 days require ETIAS. Longer stays or work/study purposes require a Schengen visa.
2. Apply via the official ETIAS portal: Complete the online application with passport details, travel itinerary, and security questions. Save the confirmation number and keep a digital or printed copy.
3. For longer stays or employment: Apply for a Schengen visa through the relevant member state’s consulate, providing supporting documentation (invitation letters, proof of funds, accommodation, insurance).
4. Plan lead times: ETIAS approvals are generally processed within minutes to 72 hours; however, additional screening may extend processing up to 30 days. Traditional Schengen visa applications require 2–8 weeks. Apply well in advance of your departure date.

Passport Ranking & Methodology

The Vanuatu passport’s global mobility ranking is most authoritatively measured by the Henley Passport Index, which counts the number of destinations accessible without a pre-departure visa (visa-free and visa-on-arrival combined). In 2026, Vanuatu’s Henley score places it in the mid-tier of passport strength below major OECD nations but significantly above many developing-world passports, and competitive among citizenship-by-investment jurisdictions.

The Passport Index, maintained by Arton Capital, uses a slightly different methodology that includes real-time crowd-sourced data and may weight eVisa access differently. Discrepancies of 5–10 destinations between the two indices are common. Industry observers recommend using Henley as the primary benchmark for strategic comparisons, supplemented by direct verification against government-published lists particularly the Vanuatu Department of Immigration’s visa-exempted countries page. For a fuller exploration of ranking methodologies, see our guide on global passport ranking explained Henley vs Passport Index.

Process / How‑To: Obtaining Vanuatu Second Citizenship

Vanuatu’s Development Support Programme (DSP) is one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment routes globally. The Vanuatu Passport Act and associated regulations govern passport issuance. Below is a high-level overview of the Vanuatu CBI passport acquisition process:

1. Eligibility check: Confirm minimum age (18+), clean criminal record, and adequate net worth. Dependent family members may be included.
2. Engage qualified counsel: Retain a licensed agent or legal advisor authorised by the Vanuatu government to submit applications. Second-citizenship advisory professionals can guide this process.
3. Due diligence submission: Provide all KYC/AML documentation passport copies, police clearance, source-of-funds declarations, medical certificates. Vanuatu CBI compliance & due diligence (KYC/AML) requirements are rigorous.
4. Investment payment: Make the required contribution to the government’s development fund (typical range: USD 130,000 for a single applicant; higher for families).
5. Government processing: The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission reviews applications. Typical processing: 30–60 days.
6. Oath of allegiance: Take the citizenship oath (may be administered remotely or at a Vanuatu consulate).
7. Passport issuance: Receive the Vanuatu passport, update travel profiles, and verify visa-free destination access before booking travel.

Comparison Table Vanuatu CBI vs Alternatives

For prospective applicants weighing Vanuatu against other citizenship-by-investment programmes, the following comparison highlights key differentiators in cost, speed, and travel freedom:

Vanuatu’s principal advantage is speed often the fastest CBI processing globally at 30–60 days. Caribbean programmes generally offer higher visa-free destination counts owing to longstanding bilateral agreements with more countries, including stronger EU and UK access. Grenada uniquely provides an E-2 investor visa treaty with the United States. Applicants should weigh travel priorities, budget, and processing timelines when selecting a programme.

Key Requirements & Eligibility

Under the Vanuatu Passport Act and DSP regulations, applicants must satisfy the following:

• Minimum age: 18 years (dependants may be included under family applications).
• Identity documentation: Current passport, national ID card, birth certificate, and marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Source of funds / KYC-AML: Detailed source-of-funds declaration; compliance screening against international sanctions lists and financial crime databases.
• Criminal record: Clean criminal background no convictions for serious offences; verified through international police clearance certificates.
• Medical clearance: Health certificate confirming the applicant is free from communicable diseases as specified by statutory requirements.
• Passport type: The programme issues ordinary (not diplomatic) passports. Diplomatic and service passports are reserved for government officials and carry different visa-exemption arrangements.

Post-Acquisition Travel Planning Timeline Case Study

The following anonymised timeline illustrates how a new Vanuatu citizen planned and executed international travel after passport acquisition:

• Day 0: Passport received via secure courier. Client verified identity details and registered the passport with their travel booking platform.
• Day 7–14: Cross-referenced the complete Vanuatu passport visa free list against planned business and leisure destinations.
• Day 21: Completed ETIAS application for upcoming Schengen-area trip; received approval within 48 hours.
• Day 30: Confirmed all destination entry requirements vaccination records, travel insurance, accommodation bookings.
• Day 45: Departed for a multi-city European itinerary (France, Germany, Spain) under visa-free terms with valid ETIAS authorisation, staying within the 90/180-day Schengen limit.

Sources

• Vanuatu Department of Immigration & Passport Services Visa Exempted Countries
• Vanuatu Ministry of Internal Affairs Passport Act (Official PDF)
• Henley Passport Index Henley Global Mobility Report 2026
• European Commission ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
• European Commission 2026 State of Schengen Report