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Pathway

Vanuatu Self-Funded Resident Visa

Vanuatu Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Vanuatu's self-funded residence visa requires monthly income certified by a bank operating in Vanuatu: at least VUV 250,000 for one applicant or VUV 500,000 when a spouse or de facto partner is included.

Type
Self-funded residence based on bank-certified income
One applicant
At least VUV 250,000 monthly income
With spouse or partner
At least VUV 500,000 monthly income
Certification
A bank operating in Vanuatu must certify the income
Children
Do not assume inclusion; current official materials conflict
Savings option
No

Summary

Vanuatu's Self-Funded Residence Visa is for a person who can support themselves through stable income rather than a Vanuatu job, business, or property route. The key document is not simply a foreign bank statement: Immigration requires the monthly income to be certified by a bank operating in Vanuatu.

The published threshold is at least VUV 250,000 a month for the principal applicant, or VUV 500,000 a month if a spouse or de facto partner is included. A lower transitional threshold applies only to someone who already held self-funded-retiree residence before 7 February 2011; it is not available to a new applicant.

Pathway fit check

Eligibility

The applicant must show continuing monthly income at the required level and obtain the Vanuatu-bank certification. Before applying, ask the bank what evidence it will accept, whether funds must be paid into a local account, how many months must be shown, and the wording of its certification.

The current new-application checklist also calls for:

The full application form states that medical and police certificates are generally required for each applicant aged 18 or over. The police evidence should cover each country in which that person lived for at least 12 months during the previous five years.

Important family inconsistency

Vanuatu's official pages do not describe family inclusion consistently. The Residence Visa page and application form expressly set a VUV 500,000 threshold when a spouse or de facto partner is included, while the separate “Live in Vanuatu” page says applicants cannot include dependents in the self-funded category. Neither statement should be silently ignored. Obtain written confirmation from Immigration about whether a spouse, partner, or child can be included in the intended application before relying on the higher threshold or paying fees.

What This Route Allows

If approved, the visa allows the holder to live in Vanuatu for the period granted and to enter and leave subject to the visa conditions. Immigration currently describes self-funded residence periods of one, three, five, or ten years.

Published adult charges range from VUV 57,600 for one year to VUV 511,200 for ten years. A person applying from inside Vanuatu may also face the separate change-of-status charge shown on the checklist. Confirm the total and payment method with Immigration before paying.

The status can be renewed if the applicant continues to satisfy the required monthly income and other rules. Immigration's renewal checklist specifically asks for a current statement or certification of continuing monthly income of VUV 250,000.

What This Route Is Not

This is not an employment visa or general work authorization. It is assessed on self-supporting income, not a Vanuatu job. Anyone planning to work, consult, or carry on business locally should obtain written advice from Immigration and the Labour Department about the correct additional or replacement status before starting.

It is not enough to hold savings of a particular amount. The published test is certified monthly income. A large account balance, property value, or one-off transfer does not necessarily meet it.

It is not permanent residence or citizenship. A ten-year residence visa remains an immigration status with continuing conditions. Ordinary naturalization is a separate Citizenship Commission process with residence, character, language, Bislama test, civic, oath, and decision requirements.

Next Steps

  1. Identify the exact recurring income sources and build at least a clear recent payment history. Separate reliable monthly income from savings, capital gains, or one-time transfers.
  2. Contact a bank operating in Vanuatu and ask what it needs to certify at least VUV 250,000 a month, or VUV 500,000 for a partner case if Immigration confirms that inclusion is permitted.
  3. Ask Vanuatu Immigration in writing whether the intended spouse, partner, or child can be included, given the conflicting official family guidance.
  4. Download the current self-funded checklist and gather the application, certified passport, photos, police clearances, medical evidence, bond, civil records, and fee receipt.
  5. Confirm the requested one-, three-, five-, or ten-year duration, total fee, and whether an in-country change-of-status charge applies.
  6. Do not start local work or business activity without confirming the required immigration and Labor permission.
  7. Maintain the Vanuatu-bank certification and income evidence throughout the visa period and obtain a fresh certification for renewal.
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