The official website of the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services

Department of Immigration
& Passport Services

Special Category VISA

Welcome to the Special Category Visa Application Page, where you’ll find essential information and requirements for obtaining a Special Category Visa in Vanuatu.

IMPORTANT:

Special category visa applications are not submitted directly to Immigration but to relevant authorities who do assessment before submitting the letter of recommendation or request letter to Vanuatu Immigration & Passport Services.

Special Category Visa Eligibility:

The special category visa is granted to the following individuals:

  • A person employed by the Government.
  • A person seconded to the Government.
  • A member of a diplomatic mission in Vanuatu.
  • A member of a prescribed donor agency.
  • A member of a class of persons prescribed by the regulations.
  • Subject to sections 37 and 38 of the Immigration Act No. 17 of 2010, a member of the family of a person mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).
Written Recommendation Requirement:

Special Category Visa applications must be accompanied by a written recommendation from one of the following authorities:

  • The Director of Foreign Affairs Department, based on being a diplomatic representative of a country in Vanuatu or a family member of such a person.
  • The relevant Commission, based on being an employee of a government department or agency, or a family member of such a person.
  • The relevant Commission, based on being seconded to a government department or agency, or a family member of such a person.
  • The head of a prescribed donor agency, based on being a member of that donor agency, or a family member of such a person.

For the Special Category Visa Application Form, click on the provided link.

Application Form
Special Category Visa Checklist:
  • Special Category Visa Application Form – completed and signed by you and each person included in your application aged 18 years and over.
  • If you are in Vanuatu: Valid Passport; or if you are outside Vanuatu: certified copy of bio-data page and all used passport pages for you and all people included in your application.
  • 2 recent passport-sized photographs of you and each person included in your application with names of the person on the back of their photograph. Note: Passport must be the one you will use on entry to Vanuatu.
  • If you or a person included in your application is aged under 18 years: certified copy of birth certificate.
  • If you or a person included in your application is aged 18 years or above: original Police certificate from all countries you resided in for 12 months or more in the last 5 years.
  • If you or a person included in your application is aged 18 years or above: Medical examination completed by a registered medical practitioner.
  • If you or a person included in your application is married: certified copy of marriage certificate.
  • If you or a person included in your application has been widowed: certified copy of death certificate.
  • If you or a person included in your application has been divorced: certified copy of divorce certificate.
Letter of Recommendation:
  • A letter recommending that you be granted a visa from one of the following authorities:
    • The Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the basis of being a diplomatic representative in Vanuatu or a family member of such a person.
    • The Public Service, Police, Teaching, or Judiciary Commissioner on the basis of being an employee of a Government Department or seconded to a Government Department or a family member of such a person.
    • The head of a donor agency on the basis that the person will be working for that agency in Vanuatu or a family member of such a person, and the donor agency is:
      • An agency or Foreign Government approved by the Director of Foreign Affairs or an organization operating on a not-for-profit basis in Vanuatu; and
      • Other agencies will be providing development assistance to Vanuatu.
Additional Requirements:
  • Medical Certificate.
  • Return Ticket.
  • Police Clearance.
Questions

For further clarification, please contact us on [email protected]

Department of Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services
  • Kumul Highway, Tamarama Building, Port Vila, Vanuatu
  • Mon-Fri 8:00am - 17:00pm
  • (+678) 22354
  • [email protected]
  • Postal Address: Po Box 9092
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