Vanuatu Passport Visa-Free Countries 2026: Full List and Ranking

The Vanuatu passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 88 destinations as of the Henley Passport Index 2026, placing it around the 68th to 70th global rank. The passport lost EU Schengen visa-free access on December 12, 2024 and UK visa-free access in 2023, but still unlocks Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia, and most of the Caribbean and Pacific visa-free.

What Is the Vanuatu Passport Ranking in 2026?

The Henley Passport Index places the Vanuatu passport around the 68th to 70th position globally in 2026, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 88 destinations. Arton Capital's Passport Index and Nomad Capitalist's passport rankings place Vanuatu in a similar band, with minor methodological differences in how they count visa-on-arrival, eTA, and electronic visa categories.

The 2026 ranking is a substantial step down from the passport's pre-2023 position. Before the UK visa-waiver revocation of 2023 and the EU Schengen termination of December 12, 2024, the Vanuatu passport delivered access to approximately 138 destinations and ranked around the 42nd position globally, peer with Caribbean CBI passports and other Pacific nations.

The post-2024 ranking puts the Vanuatu passport in the same broad mobility band as the Dominican Republic, Tunisia, Bolivia, and Indonesia. Caribbean CBI passports (Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica) sit substantially higher at approximately the 25th to 30th rank, with full Schengen and UK access intact.

The Vanuatu passport's mobility loss reflects EU and UK regulatory action against CBI programs perceived as posing due diligence risks, not the underlying quality of the document itself. The Vanuatu biometric e-passport, introduced in 2024 and exclusively issued from December 2024 onward, meets full ICAO standards for international travel documents.

What Is the Full List of Visa-Free Destinations for Vanuatu Passport Holders?

The following five region-grouped tables list the major visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorization (eTA) destinations open to Vanuatu passport holders as of June 2026. The full live count per Henley is approximately 88. Bilateral access agreements change frequently and individual destination policies should be verified at the destination embassy before booking travel.

Asia and Middle East

Pacific and Oceania

Caribbean and Americas

Africa

Other Destinations and British Overseas Territories

Which Major Destinations Require a Visa for Vanuatu Passport Holders?

Eleven major destinations require a visa for Vanuatu passport holders in 2026. The combined effect of these restrictions is what has dropped the passport's global ranking from approximately 42 (pre-2023) to approximately 68 to 70 (2026).

European Union Schengen Area (terminated December 12, 2024). The Council of the European Union permanently terminated the visa-waiver agreement with Vanuatu, citing CBI program due diligence concerns. Vanuatu passport holders now require a Schengen visa (Type C, EUR 90 application fee, 15-day average processing) for any travel to the 29 Schengen states.

United Kingdom (visa required since 2023). The UK Home Office revoked the Vanuatu visa-waiver in 2023, citing parallel concerns. Vanuatu passport holders now apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa (GBP 115, approximately 3 weeks of processing) for any UK travel up to 6 months.

United States. Vanuatu passport holders apply for a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa (USD 185 application fee, in-person interview at a US consulate) for tourist or business visits.

Canada. An eTA (CAD 7) or visitor visa applies depending on travel mode. Canada has tightened eTA eligibility for some CBI passport holders.

Australia and New Zealand. Australia requires an eVisitor (subclass 651) or ETA (subclass 601) for short stays. New Zealand requires an NZeTA (NZD 17) plus an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

China. Mainland China requires a tourist or business visa for Vanuatu passport holders. Hong Kong and Macao remain visa-free at 90 days and 30 days respectively under their separate immigration frameworks.

Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. Each requires either a tourist visa or an electronic travel authorization for Vanuatu passport holders, with terms and processing times set by the destination country.

How Did the Vanuatu Passport Lose EU Schengen and UK Access?

The Vanuatu passport's loss of EU Schengen access on December 12, 2024 and UK access in 2023 reflects a coordinated regulatory response to perceived risks in the Vanuatu CBI program, not specific failings in the document itself.

The European Commission flagged concerns about the Vanuatu CBI program in 2017 and 2019, citing the speed of citizenship grants (30 to 60 days), the absence of physical residency requirements, and the share of national revenue (approximately 30%) derived from CBI sales. The EU partially suspended the visa-waiver in March 2022 and then permanently terminated it under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 on December 12, 2024.

The UK Home Office acted earlier. Following an internal review citing CBI due diligence and screening concerns, the UK terminated the bilateral visa-waiver with Vanuatu in 2023. Dominica followed in July 2023 under parallel UK action.

Vanuatu introduced mandatory biometric capture in 2025, transitioned to ICAO-compliant e-passport issuance from December 2024, and tightened due diligence procedures through the FIU. These reforms have not been sufficient to restore EU or UK access. EU and UK reinstatement, if it occurs, is expected to require sustained operational compliance over multiple years plus an active diplomatic process.

How Does the Vanuatu Passport Compare to Caribbean CBI Passports on Mobility?

Vanuatu sits substantially below all five Caribbean CBI passports on global mobility in 2026. The comparison table below maps the 9 most-cited mobility dimensions.

The single largest gap is EU Schengen and UK access. All Caribbean CBI passports except Dominica (which lost UK in 2023) retain both. Grenada uniquely adds China visa-free access (30 days) and US E-2 treaty business mobility, neither available to Vanuatu passport holders. For investors choosing a CBI program primarily for travel mobility, the Caribbean options are materially stronger than Vanuatu.

Vanuatu's residual mobility strength is in Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia), the Pacific (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands), and the Caribbean (most CARICOM member states). For investors whose travel patterns concentrate in those regions, Vanuatu remains useful despite the EU and UK loss.

How Do I Get a Vanuatu Passport?

The Vanuatu passport is obtainable through citizenship by investment under the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program. The Development Support Program (DSP) is the most common route at USD 130,000 non-refundable for a single applicant or USD 180,000 for a family of four. End-to-end processing runs 30 to 60 days for approval in principle plus 2 to 4 weeks for biometric capture and passport issuance.

Three routes are open. The DSP donation, the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) at USD 165,000 flat for a family of four with USD 50,000 redeemable after 4 to 5 years, and the Real Estate Option (REO) starting at USD 200,000 in approved Pacific developments. All applicants 16 and over must submit biometrics in person at Port Vila or a Vanuatu diplomatic mission (Dubai, Hong Kong, Nouméa).

For the full eligibility criteria, document checklist, cost breakdown by family size, and step-by-step application process, see our complete Vanuatu citizenship by investment guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Countries Can a Vanuatu Passport Holder Visit Visa-Free in 2026?

The Vanuatu passport delivers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 88 destinations as of the Henley Passport Index 2026. The number includes pure visa-free destinations (such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia, Malaysia, Fiji), visa-on-arrival destinations (such as Indonesia, Cambodia, Kenya, Tanzania), and eTA or eVisa destinations (such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Kenya, Ethiopia). The list changes periodically as bilateral agreements evolve.

What Is the Vanuatu Passport's Global Ranking in 2026?

The Henley Passport Index 2026 places Vanuatu around the 68th to 70th global rank, with approximately 88 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations. This is a substantial drop from approximately rank 42 before the 2023 UK visa-waiver loss and the December 12, 2024 EU Schengen termination. Caribbean CBI passports (Saint Kitts, Antigua, Grenada, Dominica) rank approximately 25 to 30 globally, well above Vanuatu.

Why Did Vanuatu Lose EU Schengen Visa-Free Access?

The Council of the European Union permanently terminated the visa-waiver agreement with Vanuatu on December 12, 2024, citing concerns about due diligence in the Vanuatu CBI program, the speed of citizenship grants (30 to 60 days), absence of physical residency requirements, and the share of national revenue (approximately 30%) derived from CBI sales. EU reinstatement, if it occurs, is expected to require sustained operational compliance over multiple years.

Can Vanuatu Passport Holders Visit the UK Without a Visa?

No. The UK Home Office revoked the bilateral visa-waiver agreement with Vanuatu in 2023, citing CBI due diligence concerns. Vanuatu passport holders now require a UK Standard Visitor Visa for any UK travel, costing GBP 115 and requiring approximately 3 weeks of processing. The visa typically grants stays up to 6 months and is valid for either a single entry or multiple entries depending on the application.

Is Russia Visa-Free for Vanuatu Passport Holders?

Yes. Vanuatu passport holders can travel to Russia visa-free for stays up to 90 days under the bilateral agreement signed in 2018. The visa-free arrangement covers tourism, business, and short-stay purposes. Longer stays, study, work, or permanent residence require the appropriate Russian visa category.

How Long Is a Vanuatu Passport Valid?

Vanuatu issues biometric e-passports valid for 5 years on first issuance, with renewal cycles set under the 2024 e-passport rollout. The biometric e-passport meets ICAO standards for international travel documents and includes an encrypted RFID chip with the holder's photo, signature, and personal identification data.

How Often Does the Visa-Free List Change?

The Vanuatu passport's visa-free list has changed three times in the past 5 years (UK 2023, EU Schengen 2024, prior partial restrictions). Bilateral agreements with individual countries continue to be reviewed and may be amended. Vanuatu passport holders should verify the live Henley Passport Index and the destination-country embassy policy before booking international travel, particularly when traveling to destinations that have tightened CBI passport oversight.

How Golden Harbors Helps With Second-Passport Mobility Planning

Passport mobility is the single most volatile element of a second-passport strategy. The Vanuatu loss of EU Schengen and UK access in 2023 and 2024 changed the calculus for every active applicant overnight. Golden Harbors advisors track passport mobility changes across all CBI and RBI programs in real time, model the practical impact of each change against the client's actual travel patterns, and structure second-passport applications so the program selection reflects mobility durability rather than headline visa-free count alone.

Last reviewed: June 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Program terms, visa policies, and bilateral agreements change frequently. Verify current visa requirements at the destination-country embassy before booking travel.