Moving to Vanuatu: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

298,333

Population Growth Rate

2.06%

Urban Population

24.900000

Population in Major Urban Areas

PORT-VILA (capital) 47,000

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Age Structure

36.110000

Median Age

20.800000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

26

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

4.2

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

3.47

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

38.4%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

38.4%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-1.53

Ethnic Groups

indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders

Nationality Noun

Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

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Literacy - total population

74%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

11.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

72.380000

Infant Mortality Rate

17.150000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

17.150000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

110

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.12

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.7

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

4.1%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.5%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

97.800000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

65.100000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

11.7%

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Economic Overview

This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two thirds of the population.

Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 330,000 visitors in 2017, are other mainstays of the economy.

Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and most popular island for tourists, was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015.

Ongoing infrastructure difficulties at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport have caused air travel disruptions, further hampering tourism numbers.

Australia and New Zealand are the main source of tourists and foreign aid.

A small light industry sector caters to the local market.

Tax revenues come mainly from import duties.

Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits.

Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands.

In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center.

Since 2002, the government has stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities.

Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth.

Industries

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,600.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$850,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$2,600.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$771,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 69.8% government
• consumption: 18.8% investment in fixed
• capital: 25.2% investment in
• inventories: 0.1% exports of goods and
• services: 45.8% imports of goods and
• services: -59.7%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

30.2%

GDP by Sector- Industry

8.7%

GDP by Sector- services

61.1%

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Inflation Rate

3.9%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

vatu (VUV)

Currency Name and Code

Vanuatu Vatu (VUV)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

6.7%

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Labor Force

115,900

Unemployment Rate

1.7%

Major Industries

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Agriculture Products

copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

65%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

5%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

30%

Annual Budget

$78,700,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

0.3%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

24.6%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Vanuatu

Country Name

Vanuatu

Local - Long

Ripablik blong Vanuatu

Local - Short

Vanuatu

Former Name

New Hebrides

Etymology- history of name

derived from the words "vanua" (home or land) and "tu" (stand) that occur in several of the Austonesian languages spoken on the islands and which provide a meaning of "the land remains" but which also convey a sense of "independence" or "our land"

Independence

30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: draft completed August 1979, finalized by constitution conference 19 September 1979, ratified by French and British Governments 23 October 1979, effective 30 July 1980 at independence
• amendments: proposed by the prime minister or by the Parliament membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by Parliament in special session with at least three fourths of the membership; passage of amendments affecting the national and official languages, or the electoral and parliamentary system also requires approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2013

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)
• head of government: Prime Minister Jotham NAPAT (since 11 February 2025)
• cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament election/appointment
• process: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; national president serves a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition (who must also be a member of Parliament) as prime minister most recent election
• date: 23 July 2022
• election results: 2022: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote - Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes expected date of next
• election: 2027
• note: the National Council of Chiefs (Malvatu Mauri) is a formal advisory body of chiefs recognized by the country's constitution; it advises the government on matters of culture and language

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in 8 single-seat and 9 multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 4-year terms (candidates in multi-seat constituencies can be elected with only 4% of the vote)
• Elections: last held on 13 October 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GJP 4, NUP 4, RDP 4, IG 3, PPP 2, NCM 2, VNDP 2, LM 1, NAG 1, PUDP 1, UCM 1, VLM 1, VPDP 1, independent 1;
• Composition: men 50, women 1, percentage women 2%;
• Note: political party associations are fluid
• Note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 4-member advisory body; judges serve until the age of retirement
• subordinate courts: Magistrates Courts; Island Courts

Regions or States:

• Summary: 6 provinces
• Malampa
• Penama
• Sanma
• Shefa
• Tafea
• Torba

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Iauko Group (Eagle Party) or IG [Tony NARI]
• Laverwo Movement or LM [Seoule SIMEON]
• Land and Justice Party (Graon mo Jastis Pati) or GJP [Ralph REGENVANU]
• Leaders Party of Vanuatu or LVP [Nikenike VUROBARAVUJotham NAPAT]
• Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]
• Nagriamel Movement or NAG [Frankie STEVENS Pikioune LEONARD]
• Namarakieana Movement or NM [John AMOS]
• Natatok Indigenous People's Democratic Party or NATATOK or NIPDP [Alfred Roland CARLOT]
• National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI Bruno Leingkon TAU]
• Nagwasoanda Custom Movement or NCM [Ian Toakalana WILSON]
• People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]
• People's Service United Development Party or PSUDP [Don KEN James BULE]
• Reunification of Movement for Change or RMC [Charlot SALWAI]
• Rural Development Party or RDP [Jay NGWELE, spokesman]
• Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Alatoi Ishmael KALSAKAU]
• Unity for Change Movement or UCM [Vari Peter JAMES]
• Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Bob LOUGHMAN]
• Vanuatu Democratic Party [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]
• Vanuatu First or Vanuatu [Russel NARI]
• Vanuatu Liberal Democratic Party or VLDP [Tapangararua WILLIE]
• Vanuatu Liberal Movement or VLM [Gaetan PIKIOUNE]
• Vanuatu National Development Party or VNDP [Robert Bohn SIKOLChristphoe EMELEE]
• Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]
• Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Marcellino PIPITE]
• Vanuatu Progressive Development Party or VPDP [John NIL]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

Capital Name

Port-Vila (on Efate)

Capital - geographic coordinate

17 44 S, 168 19 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• ADB
• AOSIS
• FAO
• G-77
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• IOC
• IOM
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS (observer)
• OIF
• OPCW
• PIF
• Sparteca
• SPC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2017) note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
• Chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017
• Telephone: [1] (212) 661-4323
• FAX: [1] (212) 422-3427
• Email: vanunmis@aol.com
• Website: https://www.un.int/vanuatu/

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Geographic Location

Oceania

Geographic Coordinates

16 00 S, 167 00 E

Total Area

4,706 Square Miles 12,189 Square Kilometers

Land Area

4,706 Square Miles 12,189 Square Kilometers

Coastline

1,571 Miles 2,528 Kilometers

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Terrain

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Highest Point

1,877 Meters

Highest Point Location

Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Lowest Point Location

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Time Zone

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

• tropical
• moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October
• moderate rainfall from November to April
• may be affected by cyclones from December to April

Terrain

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Total Area

4,706 Square Miles 12,189 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water

deforestation

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$40,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$156,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee

Major Imports

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels

Top Export Partners

India 32.9%, Thailand 22.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Indonesia 6.3%, Japan 5.1%

Top Import Partners

Australia 21%, Japan 18.8%, New Zealand 9.4%, Singapore 8%, Fiji 6.5%, India 5.1%

Export Partners

India 32.9%, Thailand 22.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Indonesia 6.3%, Japan 5.1%

Import Partners

Australia 21%, Japan 18.8%, New Zealand 9.4%, Singapore 8%, Fiji 6.5%, India 5.1%

Country Description

Vanuatu is located east of Australia and consists of more than 80 islands in a Y-shaped archipelago.

It is an independent parliamentary democracy and a member of the British Commonwealth.

Tourist facilities are limited outside the capital, Port Vila.

The National Tourism Office of Vanuatu can be contacted at PO Box 209, Port Vila, Vanuatu, telephone (678) 22515, 22685, 22813, fax (678) 23889.

Safety & Security

Civil disorder in Vanuatu is rare

however, you should avoid public demonstrations and/or political rallies if they occur.

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Crime

Although violent crime is rare in Vanuatu, there is a risk that you could be a victim of theft, burglary, sexual harassment, or sexual assault.

Take reasonable precautions to avoid exposing yourself to undue risk, especially in tourist areas.

Women should avoid going out alone at night or to isolated locations, especially on foot.

If you are a victim of crime in Vanuatu, contact the local police emergency line, which is 112 in Vanuatu, and the U.S.

Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Criminal Penalties

Local laws and penalties, including ones that appear to be harsh by U.S. standards, apply to you.

If you violate Vanuatu’s laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Crimes related to illegal drugs in Vanuatu are severely penalized.

Buying pirated goods, engaging in sexual conduct with children, or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you are arrested in Vanuatu, request that the police, prison officials, or otherauthorities alert the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Hospital and medical facilities in Vanuatu are limited.

Costs for treatment, including for pharmaceuticals, can be expensive.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for their services.

In the event of a serious illness or accident (including diving-related injuries), you would need a medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities, usually Australia.

A medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of U.S. dollars.

There is only one hyperbaric chamber for diving accidents in Vanuatu, located in Port Vila.

Many of the popular dive sites are located on other islands, and it may take several hours or days to obtain medical assistance in the event of a diving accident.

Pharmacies are located only in urban centers and at missionary clinics.

They are small and may be inadequately stocked; bring adequate supplies of medications for your stay in Vanuatu.

Traffic Safety

In Vanuatu, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

In general, traffic in Vanuatu moves on the right side of the road.

Travel can be hazardous.

Always use your seatbelt.

Roads are generally narrow and in poor repair.

Only the capital city of Port Vila and the town of Luganville have consistently paved roads, which have a maximumspeed limit of 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour).

On all roads, give way to traffic coming from the right, and to traffic coming from the left at round-abouts.

To avoid trespassing, seek permission from local landowners before accessing non-public areas, including beaches.

Some landowners may charge a fee for access.

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Airports - total

31

Airports with Paved Runways

3

Roadways- total

665 Miles 1,070 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

159 Miles 256 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)

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Telephones

7,200

Cell Phones

26,000

Internet Users

17,000

Internet Country Code

.vu

Internet Hosts

1,347

Broadcast Media

• 1 state-owned TV station
• multi-channel pay TV is available
• state-owned Radio Vanuatu operates 2 radio stations
• 2 privately owned radio broadcasters
• programming from multiple international broadcasters is available

Telephone System

international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

39,060,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

46,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,170

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Anthem History

• name: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)
• lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV
• note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French

Anthem Lyrics

Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i glat blong talem se, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i man blong Vanuatu! 1.

God i givim ples ia long yumi, Yumi glat tumas long hem, Yumi strong moyumi fri long hem, Yumi brata evriwan!

Yumi, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i glat blong talem se, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i man blong Vanuatu! 2.

Plante fasin blong bifo i stap, Plante fasin blong tedei, Be yumi i olsem wan nomo, Hemia fasin blong yumi!

Yumi, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i glat blong talem se, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i man blong Vanuatu! 3.

Yumi save plante wok i stap, Long ol aelan blong yumi, God i help em yumi evriwan, Hemi papa blong yumi, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i glat blong talem se, Yumi, Yumi, Yumi i man blong Vanuatu!

Anthem Lyrics English

We are happy to proclaim We are the People of Vanuatu! 1.

God has given us this land; This gives us great cause for rejoicing.

We are strong, we are free in this land; We are all brothers.

We are happy to proclaim We are the People of Vanuatu! 2.

We have many traditions And we are finding new ways.

Now we shall be one People, We shall be united for ever.

We are happy to proclaim We are the People of Vanuatu! 3.

We know there is much work to be done On all our islands.

May God, our Father, help us!

We are happy to proclaim We are the People of Vanuatu!