Vanuatu
Vanuatu - Financially Independent Person (self-funded residence)
Vanuatu’s self-funded resident permit is the main route for financially independent people and many remote workers. You show monthly income certified by a Vanuatu bank (VUV 250,000 solo or VUV 500,000 with a partner), pass medical and police checks, and renew yearly. There is no official digital nomad visa brand.
Key requirements
We use about USD 2,000 per month as a planning figure for VUV 250,000. Exchange rates move, so follow the vatu amount your Vanuatu bank certifies.
- Income we use for estimates~$2,000 / month (estimate)
- SavingsNot modeled as required
- Accepted income typesPassive income, Pension, Remote salary, Freelance income
- Remote work allowedYes
- Local employment allowedNo
- Health insuranceNot flagged in model
- Criminal record checkUsually required
- Accommodation proofNot flagged in model
- Bank accountUsually required
- Processing (rough)Often several weeks when bank certification and bond are ready
How to get Vanuatu residence as a financially independent person
Apply as a self-funded resident with monthly income certified by a Vanuatu bank, complete medical and police checks, and pay the annual residence fee.
Before you start
Your money must pass a Vanuatu bank check
You need at least VUV 250,000 per month for one person, or VUV 500,000 if a spouse or partner is included. A bank operating in Vanuatu must certify the income.
Plan to open or use a local bank relationship before you file.
Local jobs are not the basis of this permit
This route is for people who support themselves from abroad. Remote work for foreign clients is common, but taking a Vanuatu job usually needs a separate work permit.
Official rules call this a self-funded resident. Income floors are in vatu and must be certified locally. A separate property-and-lease route exists for higher net-worth files.
If you are already in Vanuatu, expect an extra change-of-status fee. Dependent children usually need a different residence category than self-funded adults.
- 1
Confirm self-funded residence fits
Check that you can meet the monthly income test, will not rely on local employment, and can stay in Port Vila or your chosen island base.
- 2
Plan Vanuatu bank certification
Contact a bank operating in Vanuatu and learn how they certify foreign pension, investment, or remote-work income for immigration.
- 3
Gather income source documents
Collect pension letters, investment statements, employment contracts, or client agreements that match the monthly amount you will certify.
- 4
Get police clearance and medical certificate
Obtain a recent police certificate from your nationality country and a medical exam from a registered practitioner.
- 5
Arrange the immigration bond
Deposit the required immigration bond at the National Bank of Vanuatu (Immigration Bond Account) and keep the receipt.
- 6
Complete the residence application
Fill out the residence visa form, attach passport copies valid at least six months, and add two recent ID photos per adult applicant.
- 7
Pay government fees
Pay the one-year residence fee (VUV 57,600 for adults aged 18 and over) and save the payment receipt for your file.
- 8
Submit to Vanuatu immigration
File at the immigration office with your full checklist. If you are already in the country, pay the change-of-status fee and include that receipt.
- 9
Respond to officer requests
Reply quickly if staff ask for clearer bank certification, bond proof, or updated medical or police papers.
- 10
Renew each year and keep income current
Before your permit ends, renew while you still meet the certified income test and keep immigration bond and police checks up to date.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Vanuatu self-funded residence rules and fees can change. Check the Vanuatu Trade Portal and immigration checklist before you apply.
Pathway last reviewed: 2026-06-15
Citizenship & nationality
Most nationalities can apply for Vanuatu self-funded residence in 2026 if they meet the income test and document checklist. Vanuatu has no personal income tax, which attracts retirees and remote earners, but banking and island logistics need planning.
- •Income must be certified by a bank operating in Vanuatu: VUV 250,000 per month for one person, or VUV 500,000 if a spouse or partner is on the file.
- •A separate property route exists if you hold qualifying leasehold land valued at about VUV 10 million plus certified per-person income up to a VUV 1 million monthly cap.
- •Adult applicants pay VUV 57,600 for a one-year residence visa. An immigration bond at the National Bank of Vanuatu is also required.
- •If you are already inside Vanuatu, budget an extra VUV 100,000 change-of-status fee plus proof of payment.
- •Dependent children usually need a different residence category than self-funded adults. Spouses and partners can be included on the income test.
- •Renewals require you to keep receiving the certified monthly income. Longer settlement and citizenship follow separate immigration rules.
Download the current self-funded checklist from immigration.gov.vu and confirm fees on the Vanuatu Trade Portal before you translate or notarize documents.
What our quiz assumes
Open to most nationalities in our quiz
We do not list passport exclusions for this route yet. Always check official rules for your country.
Best for
- •Passive or stable recurring income from pensions, rent, or dividends
- •People planning to stay several years with a clear residence record
- •Anyone weighing tax context alongside lifestyle and logistics
Long-term path
- Permanent residence: Yes
- Citizenship: Possible, but depends on your case
First permits are usually issued for one year and renew while income stays certified. Permanent residence and citizenship are separate tracks with their own timelines.
Practical difficulty
medium
Rough guide only. Your case depends on papers, timing, and rule changes.
Medium because you need local bank certification, an immigration bond, and reliable island logistics, not because of a large investment.
Official visa / residence sources
Use these government pages for fees, forms, and the latest rules.
Note
Vanuatu also runs a separate citizenship-by-investment program. Do not confuse that fast-track passport product with ordinary self-funded residence renewals.
Last reviewed (content freshness): 2026-06-15
Visa rules change. Check government websites before you apply.
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