Vanuatu
Expand your global workforce in Vanuatu
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Vanuatu
Capital
Port Villa
Currency
Vanuatu Vatu
Languages
French, English, Bislama
GDP per Capita
$3,491.86
Employer Tax
4%
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Talent overview
Vanuatu is a country in the South Pacific Ocean comprising almost 80 islands that cover 1,300 kilometers. The country primarily depends on agriculture and fishing, which employ almost 80% of the population. Vanuatu recorded a GDP of USD 0.98 billion and its GDP grew by 0.5%.
Major economic hubs:
Port Villa, Luganville, Norsup
Skills in demand:
Tourist guides, Financial Manager, Fishing, Subsistence farming
Top local universities in Vanuatu
Vanuatu Institute of Teacher Education
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 29448
Vanuatu Institute of Technology
RANKING
Local: 2
World : 30635
Top Local Job Boards:
Number of LinkedIn users:
18,280
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Where to find talent
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Salary Data
Some common jobs in Vanuatu with average monthly salary are:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (in VUV) | Average Monthly Salary (in USD) |
| Financial Manager | VUV 196,858.33 | 1,688.93 USD |
| General Manager | VUV 610,472.67 | 5,237.51 USD |
| Business Development Manager | VUV 152,083.33 | 1,304.77 USD |
| Financial Analyst | VUV 125,066.66 | 1,072.99 USD |
| Business Analyst | VUV 120,891.66 | 1,037.17 USD |
| Project Manager | VUV 123,933.33 | 1,063.26 USD |
Employ in Vanuatu
Employing in Vanuatu
The employment relationships in the Republic of Vanuatu are overseen by the Employment Act 1 of 1983, Act 20 of 1986, Act 33 of 1989, and Act 8 of 1995. Both foreign and domestic employees must follow the regulations laid down by the Acts or face hefty penalties. The sections below cover the major points of the Employment Acts applicable in Vanuatu.
Employee Contract:
Employment contracts in Vanuatu can be of both written and verbal forms. However, contracts that exceed 6 months or require employees to relocate for work must be in writing. Furthermore, written contracts must include the names of the parties involved, the nature of employment, compensation amount and mode, and all terms and conditions that apply to the relationship.
Probation Period
The standard probationary period in Vanuatu is 15 days, that can be increased to a maximum of 6 months on mutual agreement.
Public and Provincial Holidays
| Date | Name | Type |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | National Holiday |
| January 16 | Election Day | National Holiday |
| February 21 | Father Lini Day | National Holiday |
| March 5 | Custom Chiefs’ Day | National Holiday |
| April 18 | Good Friday | National Holiday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| May 1 | Labor Day / May Day | National Holiday |
| May 29 | Ascension Day | National Holiday |
| July 24 | Children’s Day | National Holiday |
| July 30 | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| August 15 | Assumption of Mary | National Holiday |
| October 5 | Constitution Day | National Holiday |
| October 6 | Day off for Constitution Day | National Holiday |
| November 29 | Unity Day | National Holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| December 26 | Family Day | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual leaves |
|
Yes |
| Sick leaves | 21 working days | Yes |
| Maternity leaves | 12 weeks (6 week before birth and 6 weeks after birth) | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Public and Provincial Holidays
Payroll in Vanuatu
Payroll cycle
Vanuatu follows a monthly payroll cycle.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Vanuatu is VUV 300 per hour up to 44 hours per week or 8 hours per day.
Overtime pay
The standard work week in Vanuatu is a maximum of 8 hours per day, 6 days per week and 44 hours per week. If an employee works for an extended period, they are liable to receive overtime pay as per the following rate:
Read more
How taxes work
Employer Payroll Tax:
| Contribution | Tax |
| Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) | 4% |
Employee Payroll Tax:
| Contribution | Tax |
| Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) | 4% |
Employee Income Tax:
There is no income tax in Vanuatu.
VAT:
The standard rate of Value-Added Tax in Vanuatu is 15%.
Bonus
13th Month Pay:
Vanuatu laws do not mandate 13th-month pay for all employees living in the country.
Employee Benefits:
- Vanuatu National Provident Fund
- Severance pay
- Paid holidays
Employee offboarding
A fixed-term contract in Vanuatu is terminated on its expiry date. However, indefinite contracts expire after either party requests a termination and the employee serves the notice period, as mentioned in the employment contract. The notice of termination can be in written or verbal form and can be given at any point of time.
The notice period in Vanuatu is dependent on the following:
| Scenario | Length of notice period |
| The employee is paid within a 14-day interval | 14 days before the end of the final working month |
| The employee is paid in less than a 14-day interval | The same payment interval |
| The employee has served continuously for 3 years or more | 3 months |
The severance pay in Vanuatu is paid according to the table below:
| Period of employment | Severance pay |
| Every 12 month | ½ month’s pay, if employee is compensated at least once a month |
| 15 days’ pay, if employee is compensation at intervals less than a month | |
| Every period less than 12 month | 1/12th of their annual pay multiplied by their length of service |
Visa and
immigration
Vanuatu offers three types of work visas:
- Long-term: Valid for one year, for employees who are interested in extending their stay in the country. The visa can be extended for up to four years.
- Temporary: For employees who are in the country for business purposes for four months or less.
- Exempted: For employees who are in the country for a month or less for business purposes.
The employer is responsible for applying for the work visa on behalf of the foreign employee. They must contact the Department of Labor and Employment Services and submit the following documents:
- Valid passport of the employee
- Passport size photographs of the employee
- Reason to employ a non-citizen of Vanuatu
- Copy of the employment notice
- Applications that were accepted from the job advertisement
- Filled out application form for the work visa
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Overtime Pay
Minimum Wage
Overtime Pay
The standard work week in Vanuatu is a maximum of 8 hours per day, 6 days per week and 44 hours per week. If an employee works for an extended period, they are liable to receive overtime pay as per the following rate:
- 150% of the hourly pay for work on public holidays or Sundays
- 125% of the hourly pay for the first 4 hours of overtime in normal working days, 150% of the hourly pay in excess of 4 hours
- 175% of the hourly pay for overtime between 8 PM and 4 AM in excess of normal working hours
Visa and Immigration