Your Vanuatu passport is valid for five years from the date of issue. Renewal is a straightforward administrative procedure — it does not involve re-applying for citizenship or any new due diligence review. Your Vanuatu citizenship is permanent and irrevocable regardless of whether your passport is current, expired, or in the process of renewal.
| Holder | Validity Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | 5 years | Standard issue for DSP naturalisations |
| Child (under 16) | 2 years | Children’s passports renew more frequently due to appearance changes |
| Young adult (16–17) | 5 years | Same validity as adults upon reaching 16 |
Renewal is handled through the Vanuatu Passport Office in Port Vila. Most CBI citizens complete renewals through their original agent or a specialist passport service rather than appearing in person, as physical presence at the Passport Office is not required for renewals of ordinarily issued passports when submitted via an authorised representative.
| Service | Fee (approximate) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard renewal (adult) | USD 200–250 | 10–20 business days |
| Express renewal | USD 300–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Child passport (new or renewal) | USD 100–150 | 10–20 business days |
| Urgent (emergency travel) | Varies — request via Passport Office | 1–3 business days |
The majority of Vanuatu passport holders acquired through the DSP live outside Vanuatu. Renewing remotely is standard practice. The process:
Processing time from sending documents to receiving the new passport internationally is typically 3 to 5 weeks, including courier time in both directions. Express service reduces this to approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended travel dates. With 5-year validity, your Vanuatu passport should be renewed approximately 6 to 9 months before expiry to avoid any disruption to travel plans.
Additionally, the number of empty pages matters for frequent travellers: if you accumulate many visas and entry/exit stamps, you may need renewal before the passport expires purely for page reasons. A standard Vanuatu passport has sufficient pages for moderate travel, but heavy travellers — especially those using the passport for business travel across multiple countries — should monitor page availability.
If your Vanuatu passport is lost or significantly damaged:
If your legal name has changed since the original passport was issued (through marriage, divorce, or court order), you may update the name on renewal. Provide the legal document evidencing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order — apostilled if from a foreign country). An amended Certificate of Naturalisation reflecting the new name will be issued alongside the new passport.
Children born after you receive Vanuatu citizenship can acquire Vanuatu citizenship by descent. This is a separate application from the passport renewal process. Consult your agent for the current procedure, required documentation, and applicable fees for registering a child born to a Vanuatu citizen.
General information only. Passport fees, processing times, and procedures are set by the Vanuatu Passport Office and subject to change. Confirm current requirements before submitting a renewal application. Last verified July 2026.
We assist existing Vanuatu citizens with passport renewals, lost passport replacements, and family member registrations.
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