PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Vanuatu

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Vanuatu.

Permitted stay

Up to 120 days. The Department of Immigration says this is a maximum, with no possibility of extension; you must leave before the 120 days end.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism. Work, study, business and residence need separate visas from the Department of Immigration.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months after the date you arrive (UK FCDO). The GSA says 6 months beyond departure, which is the safer reading.

  • How to apply

    Nothing in advance. Entry is granted on arrival at a designated port of entry. Other nationalities use the official online visa system at evisa.gov.vu (tourist visa charge VUV 5,150).

  • Where South Africans apply

    Not applicable: no advance visa needed. No Vanuatu mission in South Africa was found.

  • Return or onward ticket

    A return airline ticket is required on arrival. One-way arrivals (mainly yacht crew) need prior approval with a VT 20,000 processing fee.

  • Proof of funds

    You must show the means to support yourself and any dependants. For visitor visas, evidence of at least 40,000 vatu per month is required.

  • Accommodation or invitation

    Confirmed accommodation or a local address is required on arrival. Unaccompanied minors need an undertaking from a Vanuatu citizen about their accommodation and welfare.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    Vanuatu's own rule not checked. South Africa's rule: you need a yellow fever certificate to enter South Africa only if you arrive from or transited a yellow-fever-risk country. Vanuatu is not a risk country, so a direct return needs none, but a routing through a risk country in Africa or South America would trigger it.

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    The 120-day stay cannot be extended. Overstay penalties not published.

  • Transit

    Vanuatu transit rules not found. Hub rules: via Australia, South Africans may use Transit Without Visa (air arrival, onward flight to a third country within 8 hours, stay airside); otherwise an Australian Transit (771) or Visitor visa is needed. Via Auckland, South Africans need a New Zealand Transit Visa (from NZD 235, up to 24 hours airside) unless they already hold a NZ visa.

  • Travelling with children

    Unaccompanied minors need an undertaking from a Vanuatu citizen covering accommodation and welfare.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Official, immigration.gov.vu) https://immigration.gov.vu/visa-exempted-countries/
  2. 2. Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Official, immigration.gov.vu) https://immigration.gov.vu/visit
  3. 3. Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Official, immigration.gov.vu) https://immigration.gov.vu/one-way-ticket-info/
  4. 4. Australian Department of Home Affairs (Official, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/transit-771/travellers-eligible-to-transit-without-visa
  5. 5. Immigration New Zealand (Official, immigration.govt.nz) https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/transit-visa
  6. 6. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vanuatu/entry-requirements
  7. 7. Australian Government Smartraveller (Other government, smartraveller.gov.au) https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
  8. 8. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2617-vanuatu-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/vanuatu. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.