Vanuatu retiree visa

The applicant must be at least 50 years old and intend to enter or remain in Vanuatu in order to retire. The eVisa class description sets no fixed income threshold, but section 37 of the Immigration Act makes the financial means to support yourself and all your dependants a criterion for every visa, and the visa does not permit earning income locally through work or business.

Retirees with leasehold property certified at 10 million vatu or more by a bank operating in Vanuatu, a chartered accountant or a registered valuer, and a bank-certified income of at least VT 250,000 a month per person in the application up to a maximum of 1 million vatu, may use the leasehold holder visa: 12 months, multiple entries, VUV 59,330, extendable, with the obligation to reside physically in Vanuatu and no employment.

The visa costs VUV 309,000, lasts 10 years, allows multiple entries and can be extended. Ten years is also the longest period for which the Act allows a residence visa to be granted, and members of the holder's family may receive a residence visa for the same period.

Apply on the eVisa portal under the retiree category, upload your passport and proof of age, and pay the fee. Keep the visa valid by applying for an extension before the 10 years end. Under sections 60 to 63, the Director may require applicants for an extended visitor, residence or student visa to lodge a security with an approved financial institution before the visa is granted. Its amount must cover the cost of locating and repatriating the holder and dependants; it is forfeited if a condition is breached and refunded, with written approval, within 7 days after permanent departure or the grant of a visa that needs no security.

Under section 37 of the Immigration Act No. 17 of 2010, a visa is granted only if the applicant is not a prohibited immigrant, passes the character test, does not have a contagious disease or mental condition that puts community health at risk, has provided any security required, and has the financial means to support themselves and any dependants. Under section 38, a sentence of 12 months or more, or several terms totalling two years or more, means the character test is failed, although the Director may waive minor offences committed at least five years earlier.

A refusal notice must state which criteria were not met and that you may ask the Minister to review it. Under section 58, the review request is made in writing within 14 days of the notice; the Minister must affirm, vary or set aside the decision within 14 days and send the reasons within 7 days. Under section 59, the Minister's decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court within 21 days.

Holders must not engage in employment, commercial or business activities. A change to another visa class is possible at the discretion of the Director of Immigration. Every visa is subject to the general conditions in section 44: obey the laws of Vanuatu and the visa conditions, do not behave in a way prejudicial to peace, good order or public morality, and tell the Director of any significant change in your personal or financial circumstances. Under section 47 the Director may cancel a visa, for example for a breach of conditions, false statements or loss of financial means, after giving the holder 14 days to answer a notice of proposed cancellation.