Where the Vanuatu passport ranks
In the 2026 Henley Passport Index, the Vanuatu passport ranks 50th. Its score combines destinations offering visa-free entry with those issuing a visa on arrival. It is a comparison tool, not a guarantee of admission.
For an actual trip, the rules of the destination matter more than the headline position: length of stay, purpose of travel and any electronic authorisation must be checked before departure.
Why passport indexes produce different numbers
Mobility indexes do not use identical definitions. Some combine visa-free access and visa on arrival, others score eTA and eVisa separately, and some weight destinations. A rank from one index should not be combined with a destination count from another.
Forma Flaga uses the Henley Passport Index consistently when comparing programmes and states material visa restrictions separately.
- Visa-free: no visa is arranged before travel.
- Visa on arrival: permission is issued at the border, sometimes for a fee.
- eTA: electronic travel authorisation obtained before travel.
- eVisa: a visa applied for and issued online.
The passport's main travel limitations
The European Union permanently removed Vanuatu from its visa-exempt list in December 2024 after an earlier suspension. The United Kingdom imposed a visa requirement on Vanuatu nationals on 19 July 2023.
Vanuatu citizenship is therefore selected primarily for processing speed, a second nationality and the country's tax environment, not as a substitute for Schengen or UK visas.
When the ranking matters
If frequent visa-free travel to the EU and UK is the main objective, a Vanuatu passport does not meet it. If the objective is a fast second passport, a remote process and no relocation requirement, the programme may fit.
Before choosing any citizenship, list the destinations that matter and verify them individually. A strong aggregate score cannot compensate for one critical country being unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Vanuatu passport ranking in 2026?
The Vanuatu passport ranks 50th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index.
How many destinations can Vanuatu passport holders access without a prior visa?
Henley counts 88 destinations offering visa-free entry or visa on arrival. Rules for a specific trip must still be checked.
Is the Vanuatu passport visa-free for the Schengen Area?
No. The European Union permanently ended the visa exemption for Vanuatu nationals.
Why does another passport index show a different rank?
Indexes count visa on arrival, eTA, eVisa and destination access differently. Compare passports within one methodology.