Tuvalu
Tuvalu visa guide: visitor permits and permits to reside
- 3 visa types
- checked 24 October 2026
How visas for Tuvalu work
Tuvalu has no visa stickers in the usual sense: entry is controlled through permits issued by the Principal Immigration Officer under the Immigration Act (Cap. 24.15) and the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 24.15.1), both published in their 2022 revised editions on the government's legislation site. Apart from Tuvalu citizens, diplomats, government employees and a few other categories listed in section 7 of the Act, every arriving person needs a permit.
Short stays use the visitor's permit, which the Act caps at one month. Longer stays for business, employment, study, research, cultural or religious purposes and family reunion use a permit to enter and reside, granted for up to one year and extendable. Everyone arriving by air or sea, except the crew of commercial aircraft and vessels, completes an arrival card, and a departure card on leaving.
Fees in the regulations are expressed in dollars; Tuvalu uses Australian currency. Decisions of immigration officers can be referred to the Minister within 14 days, or 28 days for people living outside Tuvalu.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday or short private visit: visitor's permit for up to 30 days, extendable.
Conference, training or exploratory business talks lasting under a month: visitor's permit with a business endorsement.
Job in Tuvalu: permit to enter and reside for employment, backed by an employer sponsorship form.
Studies in Tuvalu: permit to enter and reside for study.
Visa types for Tuvalu
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visitor's Permit (Immigration Act, section 9)
Visitors to Tuvalu receive a visitor's permit from the Principal Immigration Officer for a stay of up to 30 days.
Maximum stay: Up to 30 days per permit; no more than 3 months in total in any 12 months
Study and training
- Student visa Permit to Enter and Reside for study
Studying in Tuvalu requires a permit to enter and reside for study, issued by the Principal Immigration Officer for up to one year and extendable.
Maximum stay: Up to one year per permit
Work
- Work visa Permit to Enter and Reside for employment (Immigration Act, section 8)
Foreigners taking a job in Tuvalu need a permit to enter and reside for employment, granted by the Principal Immigration Officer for up to one year and extendable.
Maximum stay: Up to one year per permit
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Tuvalu as a visitor?
A visitor's permit is issued for a maximum of 30 days, and the Act caps each permit or extension at one month. The Principal Immigration Officer can extend it by up to 30 days.
Who pays the 100 dollar visitor fee?
Citizens of countries not listed in Schedule 1 of the Immigration Regulations, unless the Minister waives the fee. Listed countries include the United Kingdom, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Nordic countries.
Is there an e-visa for Tuvalu?
The Immigration Act and Regulations describe permits issued by the Principal Immigration Officer and do not provide for an online visa.
Can I appeal an immigration decision?
Yes. Under section 16 of the Act you can, in writing, ask that the decision be referred to the Minister within 14 days, or 28 days if you live outside Tuvalu.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.