The Vanuatu business visa is available in two types: a single entry visa valid for 3 months at 20,000 VUV (~$167 USD) and a multiple entry visa valid for 10 months at 35,000 VUV (~$292 USD). Both are issued by the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services for foreign nationals conducting business activities such as meetings, training, temporary employment, research, and filming.
For a complete overview of all visa categories, see our Vanuatu eVisa guide. If you need a detailed document checklist, visit our Vanuatu eVisa requirements page.
What Is the Vanuatu Business Visa?
The Vanuatu business visa is a short-term entry authorization issued by the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services. It is designed for foreign nationals who intend to travel to Vanuatu for business-related purposes, including attending meetings, negotiating contracts, providing training, conducting research, or engaging in temporary skilled employment.
Key features of the Vanuatu business visa include:
- Issued by the Director of Immigration, who reserves the right to grant or refuse each application
- Available as single entry or multiple entry
- Allows activities that are strictly prohibited on a tourist visa
- Requires supporting letters from both the origin country and a Vanuatu-based organization
- Payment is made directly to the government cashier by cash or check – there is no online payment facility
The Vanuatu business visa serves a different purpose from the tourist visa. While tourists can visit Vanuatu visa-free from many countries, anyone conducting business activities must hold a valid business visa regardless of their nationality.
Types of Vanuatu Business Visa
Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services offers two categories of business visa, each with different durations and fees:
| Feature | Business Single Entry | Business Multiple Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 3 months | 10 months |
| Fee | 20,000 VUV (~$167 USD) | 35,000 VUV (~$292 USD) |
| Entry | One-time entry only | Multiple entries permitted |
| Best for | Short business trips, single meetings | Ongoing projects, repeated visits |
The single entry visa is suitable for travelers making a one-time visit to Vanuatu for a specific business purpose, such as attending a seminar, conducting a site visit, or completing a single round of negotiations.
The multiple entry visa is designed for business professionals who need to travel to Vanuatu repeatedly over a longer period. This is common for consultants managing ongoing projects, researchers conducting fieldwork across multiple visits, or business partners with continuous operations in Vanuatu.
For the full fee breakdown across all visa types, see our Vanuatu eVisa fee guide.
Vanuatu Business Visa Fee and Costs
The Vanuatu business visa fees are set by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services:
| Visa Type | Fee (VUV) | Fee (USD approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Single Entry | 20,000 VUV | ~$167 USD |
| Business Multiple Entry | 35,000 VUV | ~$292 USD |
| Change of Status (in-country) | Additional fee | Varies |
Important payment details:
- Payment is made directly to the government cashier by cash or check
- There is no online payment facility available
- A receipt for the fee payment is a required document for the visa application
- Applicants already in Vanuatu must pay an additional change of status fee if switching from another visa type
The fees shown are current as published by the Vanuatu Department of Immigration at immigration.gov.vu. Exchange rates are approximate and may vary.
Who Needs a Vanuatu Business Visa?
All foreign nationals seeking to conduct business activities in Vanuatu need a business visa. This requirement applies regardless of whether the traveler’s country has a visa-free arrangement with Vanuatu for tourism purposes.
Key distinctions:
- Visa-free countries (including Australia, New Zealand, the US, UK, EU states, Japan, and others) allow visa-free entry for tourism only
- Business activities require a dedicated business visa even for citizens of visa-free nations
- Non-exempt countries must apply in advance through the eVisa portal for both tourist and business entry
If you are unsure which visa type you need, remember that the Vanuatu tourist visa strictly prohibits employment, commercial, and business activities. Any work-related purpose requires a business visa.
Vanuatu Business Visa Requirements
Applicants for the Vanuatu business visa must provide the following documents:
Standard Requirements (All Applicants)
- Application form – duly completed and signed
- Valid passport – with validity of more than 6 months
- Fee receipt – proof of payment (20,000 VUV or 35,000 VUV) to the government cashier
- Proposed itinerary – copy of travel plans for the intended visit
Purpose-Specific Requirements
The additional documents depend on the purpose of your visit:
For Business Meetings, Exploratory Visits, and Negotiations:
- Confirmation letter from the institution or company in your origin country
- Confirmation letter from an institution or company in Vanuatu supporting your visit purpose
For Research Activities:
- Valid Vanuatu Cultural Center Research Permit
For Filming Activities:
- Valid Vanuatu Cultural Center Film Permit
For Temporary Employment:
- Cover letter from the business partner or employer in Vanuatu
- Copy of a valid temporary Work Permit from the Department of Labour
- Copy of the employing company’s valid Business License, VIPA registration, and VFSC registration
If any required document is missing, the application will be rejected by the Department of Immigration.
Permitted Activities on a Vanuatu Business Visa
The Vanuatu business visa authorizes foreign nationals to engage in the following activities:
- Attend seminars – conferences, workshops, and professional development events
- Provide training to employees – knowledge transfer, skills development, and capacity building
- Temporary skilled employment – short-term work assignments requiring a temporary work permit from the Department of Labour
- Business exploratory trips – investigating market opportunities, site visits, and feasibility assessments
- Business negotiations – contract discussions, partnership formations, and deal-making with local business partners
- Research – academic or commercial research conducted under a Vanuatu Cultural Center Research Permit
- Filming – documentary, commercial, or media production under a Vanuatu Cultural Center Film Permit
- Other business-related activities – commercial and short-term employment activities not covered above
Activities that fall outside these categories may require a different visa type or additional permits. Contact the Department of Immigration at [email protected] for clarification on specific activities.
How to Apply for a Vanuatu Business Visa
The application process for the Vanuatu business visa involves the following steps:
- Download and complete the application form from immigration.gov.vu/business-visa/
- Gather all required documents including passport copy, itinerary, fee receipt, and purpose-specific letters
- Pay the visa fee to the government cashier (20,000 VUV for single entry or 35,000 VUV for multiple entry) by cash or check
- Submit the application to the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services
- Await the Director’s decision – the Director of Immigration reserves the right to grant or refuse each application based on individual assessment
The Department of Immigration is located at:
- Address: Kumul Highway, Tamarama Building, Port Vila, Vanuatu
- Phone: (+678) 22354
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Applicants can also apply through the official Vanuatu eVisa portal at evisa.gov.vu for online submission.
Business Visa vs Tourist Visa in Vanuatu
Understanding the difference between a business visa and a tourist visa is essential for travelers to Vanuatu:
| Feature | Business Visa | Tourist Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Business activities, meetings, employment | Tourism, leisure, social visits |
| Business activities | Permitted | Strictly prohibited |
| Employment | Permitted (with work permit) | Not allowed |
| Duration (single entry) | 3 months | 120 days |
| Duration (multiple entry) | 10 months | Not available |
| Fee | 20,000-35,000 VUV | 5,150 VUV (non-exempt) |
| Extension | Contact Immigration | No extension |
| Change of status | Available | Not permitted |
If you are traveling to Vanuatu for any purpose involving business, employment, commercial activity, or professional services, you must apply for a business visa rather than a tourist visa. For more information on tourist entry, see our Vanuatu tourist visa guide.
Change of Status for In-Country Applicants
Foreign nationals already present in Vanuatu on a different visa type who wish to switch to a business visa must follow the change of status process:
- Pay the change of status fee to the government cashier
- Obtain a receipt for the payment
- Submit the business visa application with the change of status receipt attached
- Include all standard business visa requirements and purpose-specific documents
The change of status process allows travelers who entered Vanuatu on a tourist visa or other visa type to transition to a business visa without leaving the country, provided they meet all requirements and pay the applicable fees.
