Vanuatu Permanent Residency

Almost anybody who visits Vanuatu becomes enthralled in its splendor. It is an 83-island tropical paradise in the southern Pacific Ocean to the northeast of Australia. You will believe you have gone to Heaven when you arrive here, even if it is your first time. Its crystal-clean, sandy beaches and sparkling aqua blue waters are a sight to behold. Top that off with a magnificent climate and plenty of sunny days and you too will likely never want to leave.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the people. They are friendly, happy and financially well-off. The government is stable and secure with no ridiculous in-fighting and governs over some reasonable laws and regulations, which are kept to a minimum. The economy is doing well. These traits are important if you are contemplating the setup of a business. All these facts are reasons you could want permanent resident status in Vanuatu. Now we are going to explain how to go about getting that.

It is easier than you might think, especially if you utilize the services of a Vanuatu authorized firm to represent you. They understand each step of the process. Your chosen firm will have you begin by enrolling in the program specifically designed for an applicant and his or her immediate family to gain the approval to become a permanent resident of Vanuatu.

The actual approval process for permanent residency in Vanuatu is handled by the duty office with the Immigration Department. He or she is stationed within the Vanuatu Trade Commission and will also answer all questions. They also handle the certification by overseas governmental departments.

Of course, there are some documents you will be required to have. Here is a list of them:

• A passport that has been valid for at least one year
• A No Criminal Records certificate from your place of domicile
• 2 color photos of yourself and of each family member
• A letter of undertaking to the government of Vanuatu, certified by the Vanuatu Trade Commission
• Proof of assets and income, must be certified by the Financial Services Commission of Vanuatu

The first thing you must do is begin a Residence Visa Program. Next, fill out and sign an application form. You must furnish proof of your financial status including all income and assets. This gets done courtesy of an authorized officer of the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC.) If you are rejected at any point during these first three steps, your representative will investigate the matter and inform you of their findings.
Once you are accepted after those three steps, you move forward to the next two procedures. You need to receive a certified letter from an officer of the VFSC. Then give all documentation you have accumulated thus far to the Immigration Officer. At this point he or she will begin a preliminary assessment. As with the first three steps, if you are rejected at this stage of the process, the firm you hire will follow up with the authorities and get back to you.
After approval by the Immigration Officer, you follow these procedures:
• Undertaking letter and filing fee information will be presented to you in the form of written notice.
• Your agent will present your filing fee to the Immigration Department.
• Your agent gives all documents to the Immigration Officer. He or she will examine all documentation and make an approval decision.
• At this time your certificate of approval, proof of non-criminal activity document, and your non-citizen ID card will be needed.
• Bring all the above-listed documents to the company you have chosen and they will take care of the rest for you.

Back in early September of 2011, an Immigration Regulation Order known as No. 180 of 2011, was enacted. It was made public a few days later in the official gazette. Amongst the things it said was a list of criteria for applying for permanent residency in Vanuatu to begin with. If these criteria are met and all required documents and fees are presented, there should not be problems with your acceptance. What are these criteria? Keep reading:

• Registration of the applicant’s business with VFSC.
• Certificate of Registration of that same company issued by VFSC.
• Must provide VFSC with proof of assets and income.
• Payment of all fees is needed at this time.
• Certified letter of undertakings of the applicant’s business from the appropriate Vanuatu Trade Commission Office must be handed over.