Promote:
Invest in Vanuatu
A short guide for companies expanding into Vanuatu: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Vanuatu at a glance
PopulationEstimate
335,169
Population was 335,169 people in 2025, a World Bank estimate.
Source: World Bank WDI, population, Vanuatu, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDPEstimate
US$1.35 billion
GDP was US$1.35 billion in 2025, in current United States dollars, a World Bank figure.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP in current dollars, Vanuatu, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$4,039
GDP per person was US$4,038.7 in 2025, in current United States dollars, a World Bank figure.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP per person, Vanuatu, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growthEstimate
3.1%
Real GDP grew 3.1 percent in 2025, a World Bank estimate.
Source: World Bank WDI, real GDP growth, Vanuatu, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
1.2%
Consumer prices in the June quarter of 2026 were 1.2 percent above the June quarter of 2025, on the statistics office's national index.
Source: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, consumer prices, June quarter 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June quarter 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$32.9 million
Inward foreign direct investment flows were US$32.919 million in 2025.
Source: UNCTADstat, Vanuatu inward FDI flows, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the vatu.
Source: Reserve Bank of Vanuatu Act No. 37 of 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 21, 2025
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.
The investment promotion agency is the Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, a statutory body under the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
The eBusiness Link, soft launched in August 2026, takes one registration application seen by three agencies: the investment agency, customs and revenue, and the company registry.
Source: Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, eBusiness Link launch, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 17, 2026
The Reserved List in Part 2 of the Act's Schedule names 15 activities for citizens only, including export of kava in root, chips and stick form.
Source: Foreign Investment Act No. 25 of 2019, VFIPA copy (opens in a new tab) · as of December 23, 2019
No official list or count of zones is published, and the first industrial zone, at Luganville, awaits its official launch, per the WTO review.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Vanuatu
- Register the company or business name with the company registry, through the eBusiness Link.Vanuatu Financial Services CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, eBusiness Link launch, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 17, 2026
- Register the foreign investment to get a Foreign Investment Approval Certificate; the same application is seen by the registry and customs.Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency120,000 vatuOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Apply for a tax identification number, which the business license and VAT registration both need.Department of Customs and Inland RevenueVAT registration is required above 4 million vatu of taxable suppliesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, VAT introduction, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get the business license, with the investment certificate; outside Port Vila, Luganville and Lenakel the provincial government issues it.Department of Customs and Inland RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, business licensing, 2026 information (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Show 6 more set-up steps
- For manufacturing, apply for an industrial permit and any import duty exemption on machinery.Department of IndustryOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Apply for work permits for non-citizen staff; they are separate from the eBusiness Link.Department of Labour and Employment ServicesTemporary permit 60,000 vatu; exemption permit 30,000 vatuOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Labour, work permit fees directive, June 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 20, 2025
- Apply for residence visas for investors and staff; investor residence terms depend on the amount invested.Department of Immigration and Passport ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Register as an employer with the provident fund, the last step of the startup process.Vanuatu National Provident FundOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VFIPA, setting up a business in Vanuatu, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Lease land: foreigners cannot own land but can lease it for up to 75 years, registered at the Department of Lands.Ministry of Lands and Natural ResourcesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
- Open a business bank account with an authorized bank on the Reserve Bank's list of financial institutions.Reserve Bank of VanuatuOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, service providers list, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with VFIPA and DCIR. 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
- Get advice
Foreign investment promotion agency
VFIPA
Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency
Registers foreign investments, promotes investment and runs the eBusiness Link registration with customs and the company registry.
- Meet requirements
Company registry and regulator
VFSC
Vanuatu Financial Services Commission
Registers companies and regulates investment business and trust and company service providers.
Visit VFSC (opens in a new tab)Source: Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
Visa and residence authority
Immigration Services
Department of Immigration and Passport Services
Issues visas and residence permits, including for investors who want to live and work in Vanuatu.
- Meet requirements
Work permit authority
Labour Department
Department of Labour and Employment Services
Issues work permits for non-citizens and collects the fees employers pay for temporary and exemption permits.
Lands ministry
MoLNR
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Runs lease registration, surveys and land valuation through its Department of Lands, Survey and Records.
Visit MoLNR (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, home page, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs and tax authority
DCIR
Department of Customs and Inland Revenue
Runs customs clearance on ASYCUDA World, tax identification numbers, VAT and business licensing.
Visit DCIR (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
VCCI
Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Offers exporters business training, marketing advice and quality assurance guidance.
Visit VCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
5. Worth knowing
Logistics and border performance
The WTO review says trade costs stay high from diesel-based electricity, damaged transport links and limited repair and processing capacity.
What to do: Ask for shipping and cold-chain quotes early, and allow for disruption when you set delivery dates.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Climate and water
The WTO review estimates natural disasters cost about 6 percent of GDP a year, and 77 percent of surveyed businesses in 2026 were disrupted by extreme weather.
What to do: Prepare stock, insurance and delivery dates for cyclone season.
Sources: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab); Pacific Trade Invest, Pacific Islands Export Survey 2026, Vanuatu (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Reserved sectors
The Reserved List names 15 activities for citizens only; the review's outcomes were presented in August 2025, and the lists change only once amended.
What to do: Check the current Schedule with the investment agency before you decide your activities.
Sources: Foreign Investment Act No. 25 of 2019, VFIPA copy (opens in a new tab); VFIPA, reserved and restricted lists review outcomes, August 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Joint venture rule
A foreign investor whose registered activity changes three or more times, for example new lines or locations, must form a joint venture with a citizen.
What to do: Ask the investment agency which changes count before you register variations.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Show 3 more
Public debt and arrears
The WTO review says Vanuatu remains at high risk of external debt distress, and the fiscal deficit widened to 6.5 percent of GDP in 2024.
What to do: Confirm payment terms in writing when you contract with public bodies.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Currency and settlement
The vatu is pegged to an undisclosed basket, and in September 2024 the Reserve Bank set stricter guidelines for commercial banks' foreign-currency dealings.
What to do: Ask your bank how it handles large foreign-currency transfers before you schedule payments.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Vanuatu, Secretariat report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 5, 2025
Online registration trial
The eBusiness Link began a trial period of several months in August 2026, and work permits, residence visas and provident fund registration stay separate.
What to do: Confirm which registrations the eBusiness Link covers before you start.
Sources: Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, eBusiness Link launch, August 2026 (opens in a new tab); VFIPA, setting up a business in Vanuatu, read 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Vanuatu with other countriesSet Vanuatu 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.
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Promote:Vanuatu 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.