Vanuatu citizens need no permit to work in their own country. But if your spouse or employee is not a citizen, or you have registered a company in Vanuatu and want to bring a manager from abroad, a work permit is needed. This article is based on the directives of Vanuatu's "Department of Labour and Employment Services" and the "Work Permit" page of the Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, checked on 24 October 2026.
Permit types and fees
| Type | Length of work | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-year work permit | one year | VT 200,000 | Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency |
| Temporary work permit | up to 4 months | VT 60,000, total | Department of Labour directive, 20 June 2025 |
| Exemption work permit | not exceeding 1 month | VT 30,000, total | the same directive |
| Religious workers | — | VT 20,000, plus VT 10,000 immigration visa fee | Department of Labour directive, 22 August 2025 |
The directive of 20 June 2025 says that from 1 July 2025 the Department of Labour enforces the collection of all fees for temporary and exemption work permits. Its legal basis is the "Labour (Work) Permit Act, CAP 187". Under the same directive, the employer who wants to hire a non-citizen worker applies and pays the fee.
Steps, according to the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency
- Get the application form from the Department of Labour and check it against the Department's checklist for the permit type.
- Gather the supporting documents.
- Hand the form, documents and fee to the Department of Labour.
- If approved, collect the permit in person or have it mailed.
- If refused, you can appeal to the Minister for Internal Affairs.
The agency says the Department of Labour aims to process foreign investors' work permit applications within 5 working days.
Documents
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| Copy of the investment approval certificate | for a foreign investor; see the article "Setting up a business in Vanuatu" |
| Cover letter explaining the application | |
| Copy of the flight itinerary | |
| Copy of the passport's identification pages and two photos | |
| Letter from the Principal Immigration Officer | |
| Copy of the residence permit | |
| Copies of the written contract and interview report | |
| Plan for training a local counterpart | to pass skills on to the Vanuatu workforce |
| Qualifications and reference letters |
The "plan for local counterpart training" shows that the work permit also aims to pass skills on to the local workforce. The letter from the Principal Immigration Officer and the copy of the residence permit show that the work permit file is tied to the immigration file; it is best to prepare both at the same time so that one does not wait for the other.
Renewing the permit
In its directive of 6 March 2025, the Department of Labour announced that employment visa renewal applications must from then on be submitted through the MIDAS online portal. Start the renewal this way before the permit expires.
Example: bringing a foreign manager for one year
Suppose a company you registered in Vanuatu wants to employ a non-citizen manager for one year:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| One-year work permit | VT 200,000 |
| One-year residence visa for an adult, according to the trade portal | VT 57,600 |
| Total | VT 257,600 |
| In US dollars at the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu's rate on 23 October 2026 (117.58) | about US$2,191 |
If the same person comes for only three months, the VT 60,000 temporary permit is enough. This calculation leaves out translation, legalisation of documents, the medical examination and tickets, and the amounts may have changed.
Which permit for which situation?
| Situation | Likely permit |
|---|---|
| The non-citizen spouse of a Vanuatu citizen who wants to work full time | one-year work permit, with a residence visa |
| A specialist coming for a three-week project | exemption permit, if the work does not exceed one month |
| A seasonal employee for three months | temporary permit, up to 4 months |
| A pastor or worker of a religious organisation | the special rule for religious workers |
| A Vanuatu citizen, even one who obtained citizenship by investment | no permit needed |
This table is only a guide; the directives set the exact conditions of each permit, and the decision rests with the Department of Labour.
Employer duties after hiring
In its list of directives, the Department of Labour reminds employers to file annual returns under the "Employment Act". For example, according to the notice of 24 January 2025, the deadline for the 2024 returns was the end of April 2025, and the 2025 returns form was introduced on 14 April 2025. The Department also has a 2022 directive on licensing recruitment agencies. If you employ staff in Vanuatu, check the official list of directives from time to time.
A difference between sources
The Foreign Investment Promotion Agency's page gives the one-year permit fee as VT 200,000, without a date. The Department of Labour's 2025 directives cover only temporary and exemption permits and religious workers. Before paying, ask the Department of Labour directly for the current one-year permit fee.
Practical points
- A work permit and a visa are two separate permissions; follow up both.
- The written contract and interview report are among the documents; prepare them before applying.
- Take official information only from websites ending in .gov.vu.
- Employing staff brings other duties too, such as the Employment Act annual return the Department of Labour announces.
This article is general information and not legal or employment advice. Decisions on every permit rest with Vanuatu's Department of Labour.
Sources
- Vanuatu Department of Labour and Employment Services, directive on the implementation of fees for temporary and exemption work permits (20 June 2025) — https://dol.gov.vu/index.php/directives/121-directive-on-the-implementation-of-fees-for-temporary-and-exemption-work-permits (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Vanuatu Department of Labour and Employment Services, list of directives — https://dol.gov.vu/index.php/directives (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, obtaining a work permit — https://investvanuatu.vu/?p=765 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Vanuatu Trade Portal, residence visa — https://tradeportal.gov.vu/procedure/302?l=en (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, exchange rates of 23 October 2026 — https://www.rbv.gov.vu/index.php/en/ (checked on 24 October 2026)