The Vanuatu Development Support Visa (DSV) is a specialized work visa for individuals employed by government agencies, UN organizations, or approved development programs in Vanuatu. It costs 10,300 Vatu (~$85 USD) per individual and is valid for up to 5 years – the longest-duration work visa available in Vanuatu. The DSV is NOT the same as the Development Support Program (DSP), which is a Citizenship by Investment scheme costing $130,000 or more. UN agency staff are exempt from DSV fees entirely. If you are looking for a standard work visa with employer sponsorship, see our Employment Visa guide instead. For general entry requirements, check the Vanuatu eVisa guide.
What Is the Development Support Visa?
The Development Support Visa (DSV) is a special category of work visa created under Vanuatu’s immigration framework for individuals who will contribute to government agencies or internationally funded development programs. It is designed for a specific type of worker – not general employment, but roles directly tied to Vanuatu’s development objectives.
The DSV covers the following types of positions:
- Officials working for a UN agency or recognized international organization operating in Vanuatu
- Employees of an agency of the Government of Vanuatu
- Consultants, advisers, and experts working on development-oriented programs or projects negotiated with the Government of Vanuatu
- Volunteers nominated by an NGO to work in a development-related field
- Employees of entities directly engaged in the administration of aid and development programs (other than NGOs)
The key requirement is that the work must be part of a program or project that has been formally negotiated and agreed with the Government of Vanuatu. This is not a visa for general employment – it is specifically for development-oriented work. The DSV operates under the Immigration Act No. 17 of 2010 and is administered by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services. For a comparison with standard employment authorization, see our Employment Visa guide.
DSV vs DSP – What Is the Difference?
The similar naming causes significant confusion. The Development Support Visa (DSV) and the Development Support Program (DSP) are completely different immigration pathways.
| Feature | DSV (Work Visa) | DSP (Citizenship) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Work visa | Citizenship by Investment |
| Purpose | Employment in development programs | Obtaining Vanuatu citizenship |
| Cost | 10,300 VUV (~$85) | $130,000+ USD |
| Validity | Up to 5 years | Permanent citizenship |
| Who it is for | Development workers, NGO staff, UN employees | Investors seeking a second passport |
| Work required? | Yes – must work in approved development role | No – investment only |
| Residency required? | Yes – must live in Vanuatu during assignment | No physical presence required |
| Issuing authority | Department of Immigration | Citizenship Commission + FIU |
If you are a development professional looking to work in Vanuatu for a government agency, UN body, or NGO, the DSV is the correct visa. If you are an investor seeking Vanuatu citizenship through a financial contribution, you need the DSP – a completely separate program. The cost difference alone makes this clear: the DSV costs roughly $85 while the DSP starts at $130,000.
Who Qualifies for a DSV?
The DSV is not available to general workers. Eligibility is limited to specific categories of development professionals nominated by approved organizations.
Eligible categories:
- Officials of UN agencies or recognized international organizations operating in Vanuatu
- Employees of Government of Vanuatu agencies or departments
- Consultants, advisers, and experts working on government-negotiated development programs
- Volunteers nominated by NGOs to work in development-related fields
- Employees of non-NGO entities directly administering aid and development programs
Key eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must be nominated to work in a government agency or on a development-oriented program formally agreed with the Government of Vanuatu
- If the nominating entity is an Approved Nominating Entity, the Director of Immigration must receive a written nomination in an approved format
- The nomination must include details of the application and the purpose and duration of the proposed assignment
- NGO workers must be nominated by their organization to work in a development-related field
The nomination process is organization-led – individual applicants cannot apply for a DSV on their own. Your employer or nominating body must initiate the process on your behalf. This distinguishes the DSV from other Vanuatu visa types where individual applications are accepted.
DSV Application Process
Unlike standard employment visas, DSV applications are not submitted directly to the Department of Immigration. The process goes through the nominating organization.
Step 1 – Nomination by Approved Entity:
Your employing organization (UN agency, government department, NGO, or donor agency) submits a written nomination to the Director of Immigration and Passport Services. The nomination must include your personal details, the purpose of your assignment, and the proposed duration of your stay in Vanuatu.
Step 2 – Document Submission:
Along with the nomination, the following documents are required:
- Completed DSV application form (signed by the applicant and all persons included in the application aged 18 and over)
- Valid passport (or certified copy of bio-data page and all used pages if submitting from outside Vanuatu)
- 2 recent passport-sized photographs per applicant
- Police certificate from all countries where you resided for 12 months or more in the last 5 years (for applicants aged 18 and over)
- Medical examination completed by a registered medical practitioner (for applicants aged 18 and over)
- Certified copies of birth certificates (for applicants under 18)
- Certified copies of marriage, death, or divorce certificates as applicable
- Letter of recommendation from the relevant authority
Step 3 – Assessment:
The Department of Immigration reviews the nomination and supporting documents. Processing times vary, but the assessment typically evaluates whether the applicant meets the DSV eligibility criteria and whether the nominating entity qualifies as an Approved Nominating Entity. For general document requirements across all Vanuatu visa types, see our visa requirements guide.
Step 4 – Entry to Vanuatu:
Once the DSV is granted, you can enter Vanuatu and begin your development assignment. The visa allows multiple entry, so you can travel in and out of the country during the validity period.
DSV Fees and Validity
The DSV is one of the most affordable work visas in Vanuatu.
| Applicant Type | Fee (VUV) | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual applicant | 10,300 | ~$85 | Standard fee |
| Family of four (4) | 15,450 | ~$130 | Primary applicant + 3 dependents |
| UN agency staff | Exempt | Exempt | Fee waiver via Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Validity and entry details:
- The DSV is valid for a maximum period of not more than 5 years
- It allows multiple entry to Vanuatu
- The visa can be extended subject to prescribed conditions
- Secondary applicants (spouse and children) can be included in the application
If an exempt fee letter has been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the application fee may be waived entirely. This typically applies to UN agency staff and certain donor agency personnel working on officially recognized programs.
DSV Conditions and Restrictions
DSV holders must comply with specific conditions that differ from standard employment visas:
- No work outside proposed activity: The visa holder must not engage in any employment outside the context of the proposed development activity for which the visa was granted
- No change of status: DSV holders cannot change their visa status to any other visa type while in Vanuatu. If your development assignment ends and you wish to work for a private employer, you must leave Vanuatu and apply for a new visa category from outside the country
- Compliance with law: The visa holder must comply with all laws of Vanuatu at all times during their stay
- No prejudicial behavior: The visa holder must not behave in a manner prejudicial to peace, good order, good government, or public morality
- Report changes: The visa holder must inform Vanuatu Immigration of any significant changes in personal or financial circumstances
- Continue activity: The visa holder must not cease the activity on the basis of which the visa was granted without proper authorization
The DSV can be extended, but the holder cannot switch to a different visa category while in Vanuatu. This is an important restriction to understand before accepting a DSV-nominated position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the DSV and the DSP?
The DSV (Development Support Visa) is a work visa costing ~$85 for development professionals working in Vanuatu for government agencies, UN bodies, or NGOs. The DSP (Development Support Program) is a Citizenship by Investment scheme costing $130,000 or more for investors seeking Vanuatu citizenship. They are completely different programs despite the similar names.
How much does the Development Support Visa cost?
The DSV costs 10,300 Vatu (~$85 USD) for an individual applicant and 15,450 Vatu (~$130 USD) for a family of four. UN agency staff are exempt from fees entirely when an exempt fee letter is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long is the DSV valid?
The DSV is valid for up to 5 years with multiple entry. It can be extended subject to prescribed conditions. This makes it the longest-duration work visa available in Vanuatu – significantly longer than standard employment permits which typically last 1-2 years.
Can I apply for a DSV on my own?
No. The DSV application must be initiated by your nominating organization – a UN agency, government department, NGO, or approved donor agency. Individual applications are not accepted directly by the Department of Immigration. Your employer or nominating body must submit the written nomination on your behalf.
Can I include my family in a DSV application?
Yes. Secondary applicants (spouse and children) can be included in the DSV application. The family of four rate is 15,450 Vatu (~$130 USD). Each family member aged 18 and over will need to provide police certificates and medical examination results.
Can I change from a DSV to an Employment Visa while in Vanuatu?
No. DSV holders cannot change their visa status to any other type while in Vanuatu. If you wish to switch to a different work visa category, you must leave Vanuatu and apply from outside the country. This is one of the most important restrictions to understand before accepting a DSV position.
Are NGO workers eligible for a DSV?
Yes. NGO workers nominated by their organization to work in a development-related field are eligible for a DSV. The NGO must nominate the worker through the appropriate channels, and the work must be part of a program formally agreed with the Government of Vanuatu. The NGO does not need to be an Approved Nominating Entity, but the nomination process still applies.
