A Vanuatu passport does not provide visa-free access to the Schengen area or the United Kingdom for an ordinary visitor relying on that passport alone. Both destinations require advance visa planning, even if an older passport ranking or citizenship brochure suggests otherwise.
For anyone considering a second citizenship, the useful question is whether its travel arrangements match the journeys they actually make. Our Vanuatu citizenship overview explains the programme and includes destination access grouped by entry type.
Vanuatu passport holders need a visa for Schengen visits
The Council of the EU announced the end of Vanuatu's visa exemption in December 2024, following earlier suspensions. Regulation (EU) 2025/11 then moved Vanuatu into the visa-required list and removed it from the visa-exempt list.
For an ordinary short visit, plan around a Schengen visa application unless you qualify for an exemption through another status or document. This is a visa requirement, rather than a blanket prohibition on travel. An application is assessed against the relevant entry and visa conditions.
A recently issued or renewed Vanuatu passport does not, by itself, restore the former exemption. Assess the rules attached to the nationality and your individual circumstances, rather than the passport's printing date.
The UK requires a visa, not an ETA shortcut
The British High Commission's official announcement introduced a UK visa requirement for Vanuatu nationals on 19 July 2023. Vanuatu also appears in the UK's visa national list.
For tourism or an eligible short business visit, check the appropriate visitor route before travelling. A UK ETA does not replace a required visa. The Home Office's ETA explanation describes it as permission to travel for eligible visitors who do not need a visa, rather than permission to enter.
If you already hold UK immigration permission or another nationality, check the rules for that specific situation. Use the official visa checker with the passport and purpose relevant to your journey.
Read entry categories separately when comparing passports
A destination total can combine several different arrangements. Separate them before deciding how convenient a passport will be for your family:
| Entry category | What to check before departure |
|---|---|
| Visa-free | Permitted purpose, stay limit and supporting entry conditions. |
| Visa on arrival | Eligibility, accepted arrival points, documents and payment requirements. |
| eVisa | The visa application, required evidence and approval before travel. |
| Electronic travel authorisation | Nationality eligibility and whether advance permission is required. |
Terminology also varies by country. In the UK, an eVisa is a digital record of immigration status and its conditions. It is different from an ETA and does not mean that every nationality can obtain a simplified visitor approval. Follow the official application route rather than assuming that an online process is visa-free.
Prepare the Schengen application around your actual itinerary
The European Commission's Schengen application guide directs travellers to the consulate responsible for their destination. For several countries, apply through the main destination; where the purpose is the same, this is normally the longest stay. For equal stays, apply through the first country visited. The responsible consulate generally serves your country of legal residence.
For example, a tourist planning seven nights in France and three in Italy would normally apply through France. Keep the itinerary consistent across the application and supporting records.
Prepare a valid passport, application form, compliant photograph, travel medical insurance and evidence of purpose, accommodation, funds and intended return. Fingerprints may be required. Applications are normally submitted between six months and 15 days before departure; decisions usually take 15 days but may take up to 45. Leave time for appointments and further checks.
Any visa issued has its own validity, entry count and permitted stay. The short-stay ceiling is generally 90 days in any 180-day period; it is not an automatic entitlement to a full 90-day visit.
Allow for the UK application and check connections separately
Under the Standard Visitor application guidance, a visa-required visitor applies online before travel and attends a visa application centre. Applications can start up to three months before the intended trip. Prepare your travel dates, accommodation, budget and supporting evidence; check the current fee and appointment arrangements when applying.
Transit is a separate check. The UK transit guide distinguishes connections that stay airside from journeys passing through border control. A Direct Airside Transit visa or Visitor in Transit visa may be relevant, subject to exemptions. Airline routing, baggage collection and airport changes can affect which process applies.
A London connection on the way to another country therefore deserves its own review. Ask the airline whether the itinerary requires crossing the UK border, then check the official rules for your documents.
Evaluate citizenship against your family's travel priorities
Before choosing a citizenship programme, build a short list of destinations you visit regularly and record:
- The passport each family member will use.
- The purpose and expected length of each visit.
- The visa, authorisation or existing permission required.
- Application appointments, costs and preparation time.
- Transit requirements for the likely flight routes.
Repeat the check before booking each journey. A passport ranking is a starting point for research; the destination authorities determine entry conditions. If frequent Schengen or UK travel is central to your plans, include those visa requirements in your comparison from the beginning.
Explore our citizenship services to discuss your family's objectives and the practical questions to review before selecting a programme.
