The Complete List of Destinations

As of 2026, a Vanuatu passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 90 countries. It's a key that unlocks many doors. But a very important one—the European Union—is now permanently locked. Following the EU's suspension of visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, the passport's global mobility has been fractured. While it currently ranks around 55th globally and offers strong access to hubs in Asia and the Americas, any travel to most of Europe now requires a visa.

What Changed With Vanuatu's Visa-Free Access to Europe?

The visa-waiver agreement between the European Union and Vanuatu is gone. Permanently. This decision, fully effective in 2024, cemented a massive shift in travel policy, ending the ability of Vanuatu citizens to enter the Schengen Area for short stays without a pre-arranged visa.

This wasn't a sudden move. The EU cited security risks stemming from Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs—its "golden passport" schemes—as the core issue under Article 8(6)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. A temporary suspension began back on 4 May 2022, but after years of dialogue failed to fix the EU's concerns about the vetting process, the ban became permanent.

The change was formalized through an amendment that moved Vanuatu from the visa-exempt list (Annex II) to the visa-required list (Annex I) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

The practical impact is huge. Vanuatu citizens must now apply for a Schengen visa before traveling to any of the 29 countries in the zone for tourism, business, or any stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This isn't just a form; the application process involves gathering supporting documents, providing biometric data, and attending an in-person appointment at a consulate or embassy of their main destination country, adding significant cost, time, and uncertainty to travel planning.

Vanuatu passport visa-free Europe

So, to be clear: as of 2026, visa-free travel to most of Europe for Vanuatu passport holders is a thing of the past. A pre-approved Schengen visa is now mandatory for entry into major destinations like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

It's also crucial to distinguish between the Schengen Area and the rest of Europe. The suspension's ripple effect means that EU countries not yet fully in Schengen (like Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania) have also aligned their policies and now require visas. Ireland, with its own separate policy, also demands a visa. Still, access to some non-EU European countries remains unaffected.

Which Countries Can Vanuatu Citizens Enter Without a Visa?

Despite losing Schengen access, the Vanuatu passport is far from useless. It remains a solid travel document, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to more than 90 countries and territories. This access is concentrated in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, including several key business and travel destinations.

Below is a list of destinations accessible to Vanuatu citizens as of 2026. Visa policies can and do change without warning. Before booking any flights or making non-refundable plans, always confirm the latest entry requirements with the embassy or consulate of your destination.

Country/Territory	Type of Access	Permitted Stay
ASIA
Hong Kong	Visa-Free	90 days
Singapore	Visa-Free	30 days (requires Singapore Arrival Card)
Malaysia	Visa-Free	30 days (requires Malaysia Digital Arrival Card)
Philippines	Visa-Free	30 days
Cambodia	Visa on Arrival / eVisa	30 days
Indonesia	Visa on Arrival / eVisa	30 days
Laos	Visa on Arrival / eVisa	30 days
Nepal	Visa on Arrival	90 days
Sri Lanka	eTA	30 days
Timor-Leste	Visa on Arrival	30 days
OCEANIA
Fiji	Visa-Free	120 days
Micronesia	Visa-Free	30 days
Kiribati	Visa-Free	30 days
Marshall Islands	Visa on Arrival	90 days
Palau	Visa on Arrival	30 days
Samoa	Visa on Arrival	90 days
Solomon Islands	Visa on Arrival	90 days
Tuvalu	Visa on Arrival	30 days
AMERICAS & CARIBBEAN
Belize	Visa-Free	30 days
Bolivia	Visa on Arrival / eVisa	90 days
Costa Rica	Visa-Free	90 days
Ecuador	Visa-Free	90 days
Panama	Visa-Free	90 days
Peru	Visa-Free	183 days
Antigua and Barbuda	Visa-Free	180 days
Bahamas	Visa-Free	90 days
Barbados	Visa-Free	180 days
Dominica	Visa-Free	180 days
Dominican Republic	Visa-Free	90 days
Grenada	Visa-Free	90 days
Haiti	Visa-Free	90 days
Jamaica	Visa-Free	30 days
St. Kitts and Nevis	Visa-Free	90 days
Saint Lucia	Visa-Free	42 days
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	Visa-Free	90 days
AFRICA
Botswana	Visa-Free	90 days
Eswatini (Swaziland)	Visa-Free	30 days
Gambia	Visa-Free	90 days
Kenya	Visa-Free	90 days
Mauritius	Visa-Free	90 days
Tanzania	Visa-Free	90 days
Uganda	Visa-Free	90 days
Zambia	Visa-Free	90 days
Zimbabwe	Visa-Free	90 days
Madagascar	Visa on Arrival / eVisa	90 days
Mozambique	Visa on Arrival / eVisa	30 days
Rwanda	Visa-Free	30 days
Senegal	Visa on Arrival	30 days
NON-SCHENGEN EUROPE
Russia	Visa-Free	90 days
Belarus	Visa-Free	30 days
Montenegro	Visa-Free	90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Visa-Free	90 days

What Are the Specific Entry Rules for Major Countries like the UK, USA, and Australia?

For some of the world's most-visited countries, the rules for Vanuatu citizens vary dramatically—from simple visa-free entry to a complex formal application process.

Vanuatu passport visa free UK

Vanuatu citizens can visit the United Kingdom without a visa for up to six months. This covers tourism, visiting family and friends, and some business activities like attending meetings. But this long-standing arrangement is about to change. The UK is expanding its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Once Vanuatu is included, citizens will need to apply for and receive an ETA online before flying. The ETA isn't a visa, but it will become a mandatory, non-negotiable pre-travel step.

Vanuatu passport visa free USA

A visa is required. Period. To travel to the United States for any reason, Vanuatu citizens need a visa. Vanuatu is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which means the 90-day visa-free travel enjoyed by many nationalities does not apply. A Vanuatu passport holder must apply for a relevant US visa—typically a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visitor visa—at a U.S. embassy or consulate well in advance of their trip.

Vanuatu passport visa free Australia

Vanuatu citizens need a visa to enter Australia. No visa-free arrangement exists between the two nations. Before traveling, they must apply for an appropriate visa, usually the Visitor visa (subclass 600) for tourism, through the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The application is typically done online and requires substantial proof of your travel purpose and intent to return.

Vanuatu passport visa-free New Zealand

New Zealand also requires a visa for Vanuatu citizens. Because Vanuatu is not on New Zealand's list of visa-waiver countries, any prospective visitor must apply for a Visitor Visa through Immigration New Zealand before departure. The application process requires showing the purpose of the visit, proof of sufficient funds, and evidence of onward travel or plans to leave.

How Does the Vanuatu Passport Compare Globally?

The Vanuatu passport is a mid-tier travel document. It currently ranks around 55th out of 199 passports worldwide. While its power was significantly dented by the loss of Schengen access, it remains a useful tool for global mobility.

So how is its strength actually measured?

• Mobility Score: The passport has a mobility score of roughly 93. This number isn't just an abstract grade; it represents the total count of countries you can enter without a pre-arranged visa, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorisation (eTA) destinations.
• Breakdown: That score breaks down into about 46 visa-free destinations, 42 where you get a visa on arrival, and 5 needing a simple eTA. For roughly 105 other countries, you'll have to apply for a visa in advance.
• World Reach: Practically speaking, a Vanuatu passport gives you frictionless access to about 47% of the world's destinations.

Regionally, the Vanuatu passport holds its own against neighbors like the Solomon Islands and Fiji. But when compared to other Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, its value proposition has changed. It was once comparable to Caribbean passports from St. Kitts and Nevis or Grenada. Not anymore. The loss of EU access makes it a weaker choice for European travel, as its Caribbean rivals still hold that key advantage.

What Are the Future Projections for Vanuatu's Visa-Free List?

Vanuatu's future visa-free access is tied directly to how the world perceives its Citizenship by Investment program. To improve its standing, the country must address persistent security and due diligence concerns, particularly those raised by Western nations.

Vanuatu passport visa-free countries 2026

Looking toward 2026, the visa-free list for Vanuatu is expected to stay largely the same, with a few adjustments. The chance of restoring visa-free travel to the Schengen Area by then is virtually zero. This would demand a complete, verifiable overhaul of its CBI program to satisfy strict EU security standards—a process that is both complex and incredibly time-consuming.

For the UK, visa-free status should continue, but the process will change. When the UK's ETA system goes live, it will become a mandatory pre-travel step for Vanuatu citizens. This means while you won't need a full visa, you can't just show up; you'll need to get electronic clearance before your flight.

Vanuatu might try to expand its visa-waiver network by negotiating new bilateral agreements with nations in Asia, Africa, or Latin America. Still, international diplomacy moves slowly. It is highly unlikely any major new visa deals with large economies will be signed and put into practice by 2026.