President
Nikenike Vurobaravu
Head of state since July 23, 2022. The President represents the nation, promulgates laws and appoints certain office holders; the role is largely ceremonial.
Country guide
Vanuatu
A Y-shaped archipelago of about 83 volcanic islands in the South Pacific, between Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji — independent since 1980, with three official languages and more than a hundred local ones.
At a glance
- Capital
- Port Vila
- Population
- 300,019 (census 2020); estimate 335,908 (335,908Year)
- Land area
- 12,189 km²
- Islands
- about 83, 65 inhabited
- Official languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Currency
- Vatu (VUV)
- Independence
- July 30, 1980
- Time zone
- UTC+11
- Calling code
- +678
- Traffic
- drives on the right
- Highest point
- Mount Tabwemasana, 1,879 m (Espiritu Santo)
Overview
The Republic of Vanuatu lies about 1,750 km east of northern Australia and 540 km north-east of New Caledonia, with Solomon Islands to the north-west and Fiji to the east. Its islands stretch for about 1,300 km from north to south.
The islands are geologically young and of volcanic origin; several volcanoes are active, among them Mount Yasur on Tanna and the twin craters of Ambrym. The climate is tropical, with a warm, wet season from November to April when tropical cyclones can occur.
Port Vila on Efate is the capital and the largest town; Luganville on Espiritu Santo is the second town. The country is divided into six provinces: Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea.
Maps
Vanuatu in the Pacific
Vanuatu's position relative to Australia, New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours. Zoom and drag to explore; select a country to see its name.
The islands of Vanuatu
Every named island from OpenStreetMap. Zoom, drag, or choose an island from the list to see its details.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Natural Earth.
History
c. 3,000 years ago
The first inhabitants, people of the Lapita culture, settle the islands; sites have been found on Efate, Malakula and Aore.
1606
A Spanish expedition led by Pedro Fernandes de Queirós reaches the largest island, which still bears the name Espiritu Santo.
1774
James Cook charts the archipelago and names it the New Hebrides.
1906
France and the United Kingdom agree to govern the islands jointly as the Anglo-French Condominium of the New Hebrides, with two parallel administrations.
1942–1945
Espiritu Santo and Efate become major Allied bases in the Pacific War; Million Dollar Point and the wreck of the SS President Coolidge date from this period.
30 July 1980
The New Hebrides become independent as the Republic of Vanuatu, with Walter Lini as the first Prime Minister.
2015
Cyclone Pam causes heavy damage across the southern and central islands.
December 2024
A strong earthquake near Efate damages buildings in Port Vila; reconstruction continues in the years after.
Government
Vanuatu is a unitary parliamentary republic. Parliament has one chamber of 52 members elected for four years. The Malvatumauri, the National Council of Chiefs, advises on custom and land.
The President is head of state and is elected for five years by an electoral college of the members of Parliament and the presidents of the provincial councils. The Prime Minister is head of government and is elected by Parliament from among its members.
Prime Minister
Jotham Napat
Head of government since February 11, 2025. The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers and the government's policy.
Office holders checked on October 18, 2026. pmo.gov.vu
People, languages and economy
The 2020 national census counted 300,019 people; most are ni-Vanuatu of Melanesian descent. Bislama, an English-based creole, is the national language; Bislama, English and French are official languages, and more than a hundred Oceanic languages are spoken on the islands.
Custom (kastom) shapes daily life and land tenure. Kava is the traditional drink and the nakamal its meeting place. Vanuatu sand drawing is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and Chief Roi Mata's Domain on Efate and nearby islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Agriculture employs most people; copra, kava, beef, cocoa and timber are exported. Tourism and services, including financial services, are the other pillars of the economy. The currency is the vatu.
Islands and towns
Select an island on the map or in the list. The larger islands and their main features:
Espiritu Santo
The largest island and home of Luganville. Known for Champagne Beach, the blue holes, Million Dollar Point and the dive site of the SS President Coolidge; Mount Tabwemasana is the country's highest peak.
Malekula
The second-largest island, with a great diversity of languages and custom; the provincial centre is Lakatoro.
Efate
The capital island, with Port Vila, Bauerfield International Airport, the Mele Cascades, the Blue Lagoon and nearby islets such as Hideaway and Iririki.
Erromango
A large, sparsely populated island of forests and rugged coast in the south.
Ambrym
The 'black island', known for its active volcanic craters Marum and Benbow and for the Rom dance.
Tanna
Home of Mount Yasur, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, and of strong custom traditions; Lenakel is the main town.
Pentecost
Famous for the Naghol land-diving ceremony, held between April and June.
Epi
Central island known for its quiet bays, where dugongs and turtles are often seen.
Ambae
Volcanic island with crater lakes; Saratamata is the centre of Penama province.
Vanua Lava
In the far north; Sola is the centre of Torba province.
Gaua
Northern island with the crater lake Letas and the volcano Mount Garet.
Maewo
A green, well-watered island with waterfalls in the north-east of the chain.
Aneityum
The southernmost inhabited island, close to the islet of Mystery Island.
Malo
Island off the south coast of Espiritu Santo.
Aore
Small island facing Luganville across the Segond Channel.
Main towns
- Port Vila — Capital on Efate: harbour, markets, government and most hotels.
- Luganville — Second town, on Espiritu Santo; gateway to the north.
- Lenakel and Isangel — On Tanna; Isangel is the centre of Tafea province.
- Lakatoro — Centre of Malampa province on Malekula.
Nature and tourism
Mount Yasur, Tanna
An active volcano whose crater rim can be visited with local guides when the alert level allows.
Photo: Romain Pontida, CC BY-SA 2.0Champagne Beach, Espiritu Santo
A white-sand bay on Santo's east coast and one of the best-known beaches of the country.
Photo: Simon_sees from Australia, CC BY 2.0
Blue holes of Santo
Spring-fed freshwater pools in the forest, such as Nanda and Matevulu.
Photo: Simon Goodall, CC BY-SA 3.0
Mele Cascades, Efate
Terraced waterfalls near Port Vila.
Photo: gérard from Nouméa, (Nouvelle-Calédonie), CC BY-SA 2.0
Land diving, Pentecost
The Naghol ceremony: men dive from wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles.
Photo: Choguet, CC BY-SA 4.0
Port Vila
The harbour town with its waterfront, market house and nearby islands.
Photo: Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Where to stay
A selection of established resorts on the three most visited islands. Websites were checked on October 18, 2026; check availability and current conditions directly with the hotel.
Iririki Island Resort & Spa
Port Vila · Efate
Private-island resort in Port Vila harbour, reached by a short ferry ride.
Photo: Simon_sees from Australia, CC BY 2.0The Havannah Vanuatu
Port Havannah · Efate
Boutique resort on the shores of Havannah Harbour, north-west Efate.
Grand Hotel & Casino Vanuatu
Port Vila · Efate
Waterfront hotel in central Port Vila with a casino; reopened in 2026 after restoration.
Ratua Island Resort
Ratua Island · Espiritu Santo
Island resort off the south coast of Espiritu Santo.
Casino and entertainment
The casino of the Grand Hotel & Casino on the Port Vila waterfront reopened after the restoration that followed the December 2024 earthquake. Gaming is for adults only and follows the venue's own rules and local law.
Evenings in Port Vila centre on the waterfront, restaurants, kava bars (nakamals) and cultural shows such as the fire dance; Independence Day on 30 July is the main national celebration.
Getting there and around
Most international flights arrive at Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila; Santo-Pekoa International Airport serves Luganville and the north. As of mid-2026 the airport lists services by Aircalin, Air Niugini, Jetstar, Qantas, Solomon Airlines and Virgin Australia, mainly to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji and Solomon Islands.
Air Vanuatu, the national airline, has resumed a reduced domestic schedule and is rebuilding its fleet; check current flights before booking. Between islands, travel is by domestic flights and by boat.
International and main airports
- VLI Bauerfield International Airport — Port Vila, Efate
- SON Santo-Pekoa International Airport — Luganville, Espiritu Santo
- TAH Whitegrass Airport — Tanna
Airline information checked on October 18, 2026. Current airline updates (Vanuatu Tourism Office)
The Vanuatu passport
The passport of the Republic of Vanuatu is issued to Vanuatu citizens. The table below shows the entry rules for Vanuatu citizens as listed in the source on October 18, 2026: whether a visa is needed beforehand, can be obtained on arrival, or is replaced by an electronic visa or travel authorisation.
Important changes
- Schengen area: the visa exemption for Vanuatu citizens was suspended from 2022; Regulation (EU) 2025/11 of 19 December 2024 moved Vanuatu to the list of countries whose nationals need a visa. Vanuatu passport holders therefore need a Schengen visa for every Schengen state.
- United Kingdom: since 19 July 2023 Vanuatu nationals need a visa to visit the UK.
- Ireland also requires a visa.
What to keep in mind
- Entry rules change; airlines and border authorities decide on the day of travel. Always confirm with the embassy or official portal of your destination.
- Allowed stays, electronic forms and fees differ by country and by the purpose of the trip.
- Holders of other nationalities or residence permits may be subject to different rules.
Travel access by category
193 of 193 countries
| Country | Entry for Vanuatu citizens | Allowed stay |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Albania | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Algeria | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Andorra | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Angola | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Antigua & Barbuda | No visa needed | 180 days |
| Argentina | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Armenia | Visa on arrival | 120 days |
| Australia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Austria | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Azerbaijan | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Bahamas | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Bahrain | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 14 days |
| Bangladesh | Visa needed beforehand | 30 days |
| Barbados | No visa needed | 180 days |
| Belarus | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Belgium | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Belize | No visa needed | — |
| Benin | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Bhutan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Bolivia | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Botswana | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Brazil | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Brunei | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Bulgaria | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Burkina Faso | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Burundi | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Cambodia | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Cameroon | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Canada | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Cape Verde | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Central African Republic | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Chad | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Chile | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| China | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Colombia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Comoros | Visa on arrival | 45 days |
| Congo - Brazzaville | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Congo - Kinshasa | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 7 days |
| Costa Rica | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Côte d’Ivoire | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Croatia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Cuba | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Cyprus | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Czechia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Denmark | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Djibouti | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 31 days |
| Dominica | No visa needed | 6 months |
| Dominican Republic | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Ecuador | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Egypt | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| El Salvador | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Equatorial Guinea | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Eritrea | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Estonia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Eswatini | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Ethiopia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Fiji | No visa needed | 120 days |
| Finland | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| France | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Gabon | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Gambia | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Georgia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Germany | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Ghana | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Greece | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Grenada | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Guatemala | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Guinea | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Guinea-Bissau | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
| Guyana | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Haiti | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Honduras | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Hungary | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Iceland | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| India | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 60 days |
| Indonesia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Iran | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Iraq | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Ireland | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Israel | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Italy | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Jamaica | No visa needed | — |
| Japan | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Jordan | Visa on arrival | 3 months |
| Kazakhstan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Kenya | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 3 months |
| Kiribati | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Kuwait | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Kyrgyzstan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Laos | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Latvia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Lebanon | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Lesotho | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Liberia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Libya | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Liechtenstein | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Lithuania | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Luxembourg | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Madagascar | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
| Malawi | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Malaysia | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Maldives | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Mali | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Malta | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Marshall Islands | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
| Mauritania | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Mauritius | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Mexico | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Micronesia | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Moldova | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Monaco | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Mongolia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Montenegro | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Morocco | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Mozambique | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Namibia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Nauru | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
| Nepal | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
| Netherlands | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| New Zealand | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Nicaragua | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Niger | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Nigeria | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| North Korea | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| North Macedonia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Norway | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Oman | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Pakistan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Palau | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Panama | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Papua New Guinea | Visa on arrival | 60 days |
| Paraguay | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Peru | No visa needed | 180 days |
| Philippines | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Poland | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Portugal | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Qatar | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Romania | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Russia | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Rwanda | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Samoa | Visa on arrival | 60 days |
| San Marino | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| São Tomé & Príncipe | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Senegal | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Serbia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Seychelles | Visa on arrival | 3 months |
| Sierra Leone | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Singapore | No visa needed | 30 days |
| Slovakia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Slovenia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Solomon Islands | Visa on arrival | 45 days |
| Somalia | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| South Africa | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| South Korea | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| South Sudan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Spain | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Sri Lanka | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| St. Lucia | No visa needed | — |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | No visa needed | 1 months |
| Sudan | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Suriname | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Sweden | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Switzerland | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Syria | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Tajikistan | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Tanzania | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Thailand | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Timor-Leste | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Togo | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 15 days |
| Tonga | Visa on arrival | 31 days |
| Trinidad & Tobago | No visa needed | — |
| Tunisia | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Türkiye | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Turkmenistan | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Tuvalu | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
| Uganda | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Ukraine | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| United Arab Emirates | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| United Kingdom | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| United States | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Uruguay | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Uzbekistan | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 30 days |
| Vatican City | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Venezuela | eVisa / electronic authorisation | — |
| Vietnam | eVisa / electronic authorisation | 90 days |
| Yemen | Visa needed beforehand | — |
| Zambia | No visa needed | 90 days |
| Zimbabwe | No visa needed | 90 days |
Source: Visa requirements for Vanuatu citizens, checked October 18, 2026; for the Schengen area and the United Kingdom also the official texts listed under Sources. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Vanuatu_citizens
Gallery
Videos
Films from the official channel of the Vanuatu Tourism Office. A video is loaded from YouTube only when you choose to play it.
Vanuatu is calling, will you answer?
Santo Island, Vanuatu
Hide Away, Efate Island, Vanuatu
Blue Lagoon, Efate Island, Vanuatu
Nguna Island volcano trail, Efate, Vanuatu
The breathtaking Fire Dance Show of Port Vila.
- Playing loads the video from youtube-nocookie.com.
Questions about Vanuatu
Where is Vanuatu?
In the south-western Pacific Ocean, about 1,750 km east of northern Australia, between New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
What languages are spoken?
Bislama, English and French are official languages; Bislama is the national language, and more than a hundred local languages are spoken.
What currency is used?
The vatu (VUV). Cards are accepted in many hotels and shops in Port Vila and Luganville; cash is needed on the outer islands.
What is the time zone?
UTC+11 all year; there is no daylight saving time.
When is the best time to visit?
The drier, cooler months from May to October; November to April is warmer and wetter, with a risk of cyclones.
Does a Vanuatu passport give visa-free access to the Schengen area?
No. Since Regulation (EU) 2025/11, Vanuatu citizens need a visa for the Schengen area. A visa is also needed for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
How do I reach the outer islands?
By domestic flights from Port Vila and Luganville or by boat; schedules change, so check them shortly before travelling.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on October 18, 2026. Variable information (office holders, flights, hotels, entry rules) carries its own date.
- Vanuatu — Wikipedia (revision 1380242384)
- Vanuatu National Statistics Office — 2020 National Population and Housing Census
- Prime Minister's Office of Vanuatu
- UNESCO — Chief Roi Mata's Domain; Vanuatu sand drawings
- Vanuatu Tourism Office
- Visa requirements for Vanuatu citizens — Wikipedia (revision 1348380591)
- Regulation (EU) 2025/11 of 19 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu
- GOV.UK — Visa requirement for ni-Vanuatu nationals visiting the UK (19 July 2023)
- Island outlines © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0)
- Country outlines: Natural Earth 1:50m (public domain)
- Photographs: Wikimedia Commons (authors and licences listed with each image)
Photographs
- Vanuatu passport 2020.jpg — Alphacenturia123, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Champagne Beach Espiritu Santo (29173575952).jpg — Simon_sees from Australia, CC BY 2.0
- Lava trails at Mount Yasur Volcano, Tanna, Vanuatu (49181693888).jpg — Romain Pontida, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mount Yasur 2013-09-09 (9722359705).jpg — Vincent Albanese from Rooty Hill, Australia, CC BY 2.0
- Port Vila Harbour in the Morning (23431724721).jpg — Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cascade de Mélé (38876748484).jpg — gérard from Nouméa, (Nouvelle-Calédonie), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Visiting the Nanda Blue Hole, in the island of Espiritu Santo (or just "Santo").JPG — Simon Goodall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pentecost Land Diving.JPG — Choguet, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Port Vila International Airport Apron View 2025.jpg — Asamboi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Iririki Island Resort, Vanuatu (29281749425).jpg — Simon_sees from Australia, CC BY 2.0
- President Vurobaravu at Ceremony (cropped).png — Philippine Embassy of Canberra, Public domain
- Jotham Napat at 2022 Joint Press Conference (cropped).jpg — Sarah Friend, CC BY 4.0