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Promote:Tuvalu

Invest in Tuvalu

A short guide for companies expanding into Tuvalu: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.

1. Tuvalu at a glance

The currency is the Australian dollar.

Source: World Bank WDI country metadata, Tuvalu⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2026

2. Before you set up

The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.

3. Steps to set up

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Setting up in Tuvalu

  1. Apply to the Foreign Investment Board through the Foreign Investment Unit, and pay the application fee.Tuvalu Foreign Investment UnitFee 1 percent of the investment value; Board decision within 10 working daysOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Tuvalu Foreign Direct Investment Act, Act 13 of 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

  2. Register the company with the Registrar of Companies.Registrar of CompaniesOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Tuvalu Companies Act, 1991⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 1991

  3. Get a business license from the executive officer of the Kaupule for each island where you trade.Kaupule executive officer (licensing officer)Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Tuvalu business license law, 2022 edition⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2022

  4. Register for consumption tax with the Taxation Officer once your taxable supplies reach $100,000 in 12 months, or earlier by choice.Tuvalu Revenue and Customs DepartmentOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Tuvalu Consumption Tax Act 2008, 2022 edition⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2022

Show 1 more set-up step
  1. Apply for a permit to enter and reside to conduct business if you or your staff will live in Tuvalu.Principal Immigration OfficerFee $600 outside Tuvalu or $1,200 inside Tuvalu for the principal applicantOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Tuvalu Immigration Regulations 2014, 2022 edition⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2022

4. Organizations that help investors

Start with Foreign Investment Unit and Revenue and Customs. Each card links to the organization’s own site.

Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets

Investment and business setup

Customs and tax

Chambers and industry associations

5. Worth knowing

  • Logistics and border performance

    The 2026-27 budget lists freight costs and reliable, affordable shipping within Tuvalu and from abroad among its cost-of-living priorities.

    What to do: Confirm shipping schedules and costs with your carrier before you quote delivery dates.

    Source: Tuvalu 2026-27 National Budget, June 22, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  • Fishing license revenue

    The 2026-27 budget projects about A$41.0 million from the sale of fishing days, and names reliance on fishing license fees as a revenue risk.

    What to do: Check payment timing before you sign contracts with the government.

    Source: Tuvalu 2026-27 National Budget, June 22, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  • Climate and water

    The 2026-27 budget lists rising sea levels, storm surges and droughts among the risks that can cause unplanned public spending.

    What to do: Allow for storm, flooding and freshwater needs in your project before you commit capital.

    Source: Tuvalu 2026-27 National Budget, June 22, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  • Currency and settlement

    The 2026-27 budget says a weaker Australian dollar raises the local cost of imports priced in United States dollars.

    What to do: Confirm the currency and exchange rate in every supply contract before you sign.

    Source: Tuvalu 2026-27 National Budget, June 22, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

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  • Restricted sectors

    Schedule 2 of the Foreign Direct Investment Act restricts handicrafts, traditional food, and virgin oil and red toddy to joint ventures with a local Tuvaluan investor.

    What to do: Check Schedule 2 against your investment project, and find a local partner before you apply.

    Source: Tuvalu Foreign Direct Investment Act, Act 13 of 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

  • Foreign investment approval

    Approval is required before investing, the application fee is 1 percent of the investment value, and a certificate lapses if the business has not started within one year.

    What to do: Budget for the fee, and start operations within a year of the certificate date.

    Source: Tuvalu Foreign Direct Investment Act, Act 13 of 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026

6. How Promote:Global helps

  • Compare Tuvalu with other countriesSet Tuvalu beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
  • Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
  • Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.

Turn this guide into your Tuvalu project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:Tuvalu is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.

Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 1, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.