Self-Funded Resident Visa

The Self-Funded Resident Visa enables foreign nationals to reside in Vanuatu based on certified passive income, without employment, investment, or family ties. Established under the Immigration Act No. 17 of 2010, it targets retirees, pensioners, and financially independent individuals who wish to live in Vanuatu supported by foreign-sourced income such as pensions, investment returns, rental income, or savings. Vanuatu's tax-free environment -- with no personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax -- makes this visa particularly attractive.

• Certified regular monthly income of at least 250,000 VUV (~USD 2,000) from a bank operating in Vanuatu
• Income threshold doubles to 500,000 VUV (~USD 4,000) when including a spouse or de facto partner
• Must open a Vanuatu bank account and have income deposited into it
• Deposit sufficient funds in a Vanuatu bank trust account to cover one-way return air tickets for all applicants
• Must not engage in local employment
• Clean criminal record (police clearance required)
• Medical examination from a registered medical practitioner

• Completed residence visa application form (signed by all applicants aged 18+)
• Valid passport or certified copies of bio-data and all used passport pages
• Two passport-sized photographs per applicant
• Police clearance certificate (original) for each applicant aged 18+
• Statutory declaration listing all criminal offences from the past 10 years
• Bank certification letter from a Vanuatu bank verifying monthly income of at least 250,000 VUV (or 500,000 VUV with partner)
• Letter from a local bank verifying trust deposit covering one-way return tickets
• Birth certificates for applicants under 18
• Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship (if including a partner)
• Medical examination report

The visa is available in 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, or 10-year terms at the applicant's choice. Application fees scale accordingly, from VUV 57,600 for one year up to VUV 511,200 for ten years. The visa is renewable for additional terms provided the income requirement continues to be met. An annual maintenance fee of VUV 20,000 applies throughout the visa period.

Only a spouse or de facto partner may be included in the Self-Funded Resident Visa application, by meeting the doubled income threshold of 500,000 VUV per month. Dependent children -- even those under 18 -- cannot be included under this category. Families with children may need to explore alternative residence visa categories such as the Foreign Investor or Leasehold Holder visas, which do permit dependent children.

Vanuatu imposes no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax on residents. VAT applies at 15% on goods and services. Rental income earned within Vanuatu exceeding 200,000 VUV per six-month period is subject to a 12.5% rental income tax. There is no personal income tax filing requirement.

Applications are submitted by post to Private Mail Bag 9092, Port Vila, Vanuatu, or delivered in person at the Department of Immigration and Passport Services at Kumul Highway, Tamarama Building, Port Vila. The eVisa portal also lists a separate Retiree Visa category (minimum age 50, 10-year term, VUV 309,000 fee) that may serve as an age-restricted variant. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Processing approvals have been reported within 5 business days, though actual times may vary.

After 10 years of continuous lawful residence, visa holders may apply for citizenship by naturalisation under the Citizenship Act [CAP 112]. Applicants must demonstrate good character, financial self-sufficiency, and sufficient knowledge of Bislama language and Vanuatu civics and culture.