VANUATU · Policy & practice
Why Vanuatu passport holders still need visas for the UK and Schengen travel
The UK’s visa-national list and EU visa policy govern ordinary-passport travel. An electronic travel authorisation does not restore an exemption that has been removed.
For ordinary short visits using a Vanuatu ordinary passport alone, prepare for UK and Schengen visa requirements. Separate residence rights, nationalities and legal exemptions need individual assessment.
A Vanuatu ordinary passport alone generally does not permit visa-free short visits to the UK or the Schengen area. Vanuatu remains on the UK’s visa-national list, and the EU has removed its visa exemption.[1][2] Separate residence rights, another nationality or a specific exemption require their own assessment.
The UK requirement is established
The UK announced the visit-visa requirement on 19 July 2023.[3] Current rules continue to list Vanuatu among nationalities generally requiring advance entry clearance.[1] Earlier passport marketing is therefore not a reliable basis for travel today.
The UK’s electronic travel authorisation is available only to eligible travellers.[4] It does not replace a required visitor visa. Transit requires a separate assessment of the route, border crossing and documents held.
Schengen travel follows current visa policy
On 12 December 2024, the Council of the EU decided to remove Vanuatu from the exemption list, following earlier suspension measures.[2] Ordinary short-stay travel must therefore be planned under the applicable visa requirements. Existing residence documents or other rights may change the individual position.
Electronic authorisation does not restore an exemption
ETIAS concerns eligible visa-exempt travellers.[5] Its launch arrangements are separate from eligibility for visa-free travel. Electronic authorisation does not itself make Vanuatu ordinary-passport holders visa-exempt again.
This article verifies continuing travel rules; it does not describe an October withdrawal of visa-free access. For a second-citizenship decision, the actual destinations, purposes and application requirements are more useful than an undated total of supposedly visa-free countries.
Official sources
This article provides general information, not individual legal, tax or investment advice. Applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment govern each case.