Which documents are needed for arrival in Vanuatu?

Carry a passport valid for more than six months, the visa required for your nationality and travel purpose, a return or onward ticket and confirmed accommodation or a local address. Immigration may also require the relevant arrival and travel information before admitting you.

What must travellers declare when arriving in Vanuatu?

Declare food, fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, wood, soil, animals, animal products and used camping, farming or other equipment to Biosecurity. Also declare commercial or restricted goods, foreign goods and cash or negotiable instruments worth at least 1,000,000 VT to Customs.

Where can travellers enter Vanuatu by air or sea?

International airports include Bauerfield in Port Vila, Pekoa on Santo and Whitegrass on Tanna. Approved sea-entry points include Port Vila, Luganville, Lenakel and Sola, while several other designated ports require advance confirmation with Immigration and Customs.

How should travellers prepare for the first days after arrival in Vanuatu?

Arrange accommodation or a hotel transfer, carry cash in small notes and obtain a local SIM or roaming service if needed. ATMs are available on Efate and Santo but may not be available on outer islands, where onward travel and supplies also depend on weather.

What health and safety information should travellers check after arriving in Vanuatu?

Keep routine vaccinations current, protect yourself against mosquitoes and contaminated water, and carry medicines in their original packaging. Check VMGD, GeoHazards and NDMO alerts because cyclones, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity can affect travel between islands.

Arrival in Vanuatu

Arrival in Vanuatu requires a passport valid for more than six months, the correct visa status and proof of onward or return travel together with confirmed accommodation or a local address. At entry, complete the required arrival, customs and biosecurity declarations and use an approved airport or seaport. The first days also require practical planning for cash, communications, health protection, weather risks and transport between islands.

Tip

Treat arrival in Vanuatu as a coordination task: confirm the correct entry category, prepare proof of onward travel and accommodation, and arrange the first days before departure. Give special attention to declarations, cash and island travel, because missing documents, undeclared goods or limited ATM access can disrupt the journey immediately.

byLina&Jean

Visa and entry conditions depend on nationality and travel purpose. Visa-exempt travellers may be able to obtain a Tourist Visa on Arrival, while other travellers need a valid visa before travel. A Tourist Visa can allow a stay of up to 120 days, but it does not permit work or business activity. A Visitor stay can be up to 30 days. Published amounts include a visitor fee of 7,420 VUV and a checklist amount of 5,150 VT for some non-exempt travellers; these are category-specific figures, so Immigration should confirm the current amount before departure. A traveller without a return or onward ticket may need an approved exception application and a payment of 20,000 VT. Immigration can require a confirmed accommodation booking or local address. The main international airports are Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila, Pekoa Airport on Santo and Whitegrass Airport on Tanna. Designated sea-entry points include Lapeitasi in Port Vila, Niscol in Luganville, Lenakel, Mistery on Aneityum, Litzlitz on Malekula and Sola on Vanua Lava. Customs-approved sea ports include Port Vila, Luganville, Lenakel and Sola. Anyone arriving by yacht or other vessel should notify Immigration before arrival, provide a crew and passenger list and obtain a Certificate of Clearance before departure. The correct Immigration and Customs port should be confirmed in advance. Customs can provide air and sea-port standby service at any time, while regular hours are Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00. Air passengers receive a Passenger Arrival Card during the flight. Customs requires the arrival or departure card, passport and airline ticket or itinerary. Biosecurity rules require declaration of food, fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, wood, bamboo, soil, animals and animal products, camping or farming equipment, used equipment, used clothing and tools. When uncertain, declare the item or place it in an Amnesty Bin. Officers may inspect or treat goods. Prohibited goods can be confiscated or destroyed, and a false declaration can lead to an immediate fine or prosecution. Stored goods can incur a charge of 1,000 VT per night. Honey requires an origin health certificate, while meat, seafood and dairy products require a Provisional Import Permit. Customs declarations also cover commercial or business goods, restricted goods, foreign goods and cash or negotiable instruments worth at least 1,000,000 VT. For travellers over 18, the personal concession allows up to 250 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 25 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; alcohol allowances include 2.25 litres of spirits or 2.25 litres of wine or 9 litres of beer. Other new or used goods and gifts may qualify up to 50,000 VT when they are not commercial. Excess quantities or values can be taxable. At Bauerfield Airport, travellers can find a café, foreign-exchange services, Digicel and Vodafone booths, local SIM or roaming options and airport taxis. A hotel transfer arranged before arrival can reduce uncertainty after a late flight. ATMs are available on Efate and Santo, while the outer islands may have no ATM. Carry cash in small notes, and check weather and cash conditions before travelling onward because island access and supplies can depend on both. Citizens and residents who need a CRIM National ID can contact a CRIM Registration Centre with the form, birth certificate or other identity evidence, a photograph and any required fee. Tourists do not use this as a general arrival register. Immigration offices are available in Port Vila on Kumul Highway, in Luganville for Sanma, Lakatoro for Malampa and Isangel for Tafea. Submit the Passenger Health Declaration through the health portal when required. Keep routine vaccinations such as MMR, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio current, and ask a health professional whether hepatitis A or B, typhoid or influenza vaccination is appropriate. Carry medicines in their original packaging with at least a one-month supply where practical. Malaria risk is especially relevant on Santo and Malekula and is very low in Port Vila; use repellent, long clothing and a mosquito net, and discuss preventive medicine with a health professional. Leptospirosis occurs in Vanuatu and is more common on Santo and Efate, so avoid untreated fresh water and use protective footwear. Fever or illness after arrival should be assessed by a health facility with the travel history explained. Check VMGD weather and GeoHazards information and NDMO notices before the first stay and before inter-island travel. Cyclones, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity can affect routes and accommodation, so follow official alerts and local radio. Emergency numbers include Police 111 on Digicel and 1111 on TVL, Fire 113, Maritime 114 and ProMedical 115.