The Vanuatu passport gives its holders access to 85+ destinations without a prior visa, and ranks 58th in the world for travel freedom. It includes visa-free access to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Panama and the Russian Federation, which is one reason Vanuatu is a popular choice for investors exploring citizenship by investment.
This guide lists every visa-free destination by region, shows where a visa is still needed, and explains what the access means in practice. The figures reflect passport index data last refreshed in October 2026.
Vanuatu passport at a glance
| Global passport ranking | 58th |
|---|---|
| Visa-free destinations | 85+ |
| Ranking five years ago | 36th (2022) |
| Schengen Area | Not on the visa-free list |
| United Kingdom | Not on the visa-free list |
The Vanuatu passport ranked 36th in 2022, moved to 56th in 2023, and has held between 54th and 58th since: 58th in 2024, 54th in 2025 and 58th in 2026. In global passport rankings, “visa-free” covers visa-free entry, visa on arrival and electronic travel authorisation (eTA). Permitted length of stay and entry conditions differ by country, so always confirm the current rules before you travel.
Visa-free countries for Vanuatu passport holders
The 85+ destinations are grouped by region below. Each table reads left to right in alphabetical order.
Europe (6)
| Belarus | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Kosovo | Moldova |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montenegro | Russian Federation |
Caribbean, Central and South America (25)
| Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | The Bahamas | Barbados |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belize | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Costa Rica |
| Dominica | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | El Salvador |
| Grenada | Guatemala | Haiti | Honduras |
| Jamaica | Montserrat | Panama | Peru |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | St. Lucia | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Suriname |
| Trinidad and Tobago |
Asia (13)
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | Hong Kong (SAR China) | Laos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macao (SAR China) | Malaysia | Maldives | Nepal |
| Philippines | Singapore | Sri Lanka | Thailand |
| Timor-Leste |
Middle East (4)
| Iran | Israel | Jordan | Palestinian Territory |
|---|
Africa (27)
| Angola | Botswana | Burundi | Cape Verde Islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comoro Islands | Côte d’Ivoire | Djibouti | Egypt |
| eSwatini | The Gambia | Guinea-Bissau | Kenya |
| Lesotho | Madagascar | Malawi | Mauritius |
| Mozambique | Namibia | Rwanda | Senegal |
| Seychelles | Sierra Leone | St. Helena | Tanzania |
| Uganda | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
Oceania and the Pacific (13)
| Cook Islands | Fiji | Kiribati | Marshall Islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micronesia | Nauru | Niue | Palau Islands |
| Papua New Guinea | Samoa | Solomon Islands | Tonga |
| Tuvalu |
Which destinations are visa on arrival or eTA?
Most entries above are fully visa free. These are the exceptions:
| Visa on arrival | Cambodia, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Iran, Jordan, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu |
| eTA (apply online before travel) | Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, Israel, Côte d’Ivoire |
Where do Vanuatu passport holders need a visa?
These commonly searched destinations do not appear on the September 2026 visa-free list:
| North America | South America | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Gulf | Africa |
| United States | Argentina | Schengen Area countries | Australia | United Arab Emirates | South Africa |
| Canada | Brazil | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Saudi Arabia | Morocco |
| Mexico | Chile | Ireland | Japan | Qatar | Nigeria |
| Colombia | Türkiye | China | Kuwait | Ghana | |
| Serbia | India | Bahrain | |||
| Albania | Indonesia | Oman | |||
| Georgia | South Korea | ||||
| Ukraine | Vietnam | ||||
| Taiwan |
If you plan to visit one of these, apply for the visa in advance through the relevant embassy or consulate.
What the visa-free access means in practice
The list is strongest across the Pacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Southern and East Africa, and key Asian hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. That suits regional business travel, property viewings and holidays on one passport.
It does not include the Schengen Area or the United Kingdom, and it does not give you the right to live or work in any listed country. Longer stays require a residence permit from the country concerned.
Why the visa-free list matters for citizenship by investment
Vanuatu is one of the established citizenship by investment options in Oceania, with Vanuatu citizenship starting from $130,000. Investors typically weigh:
- Visa-free access to 85+ destinations, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and the Russian Federation
- A passport ranked 58th in global rankings in 2026
- A second passport as a backup for business and family travel
- Regional reach across the Pacific, the Caribbean, Central America and Africa
Looking for the current costs, timeline and requirements? Program rules change from time to time, so explore our Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment page for the process, eligibility and latest figures. Existing citizens can also see our Vanuatu passport renewal page.
Speak to a UNO Capital advisor to find out whether Vanuatu citizenship by investment fits your travel and residency goals.
Last updated: October 2026. Visa requirements change often; confirm with official sources before travelling.
