Published: August 11, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Vanuatu Travel Advisory and Vanuatu Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
The Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea is responsible for Vanuatu.
Due to the earthquakes of late December 2024, the U.S. Embassy does not have a physical building anymore.
The U.S. Embassy in Port Vila does not currently provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens. Such services are provided by U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
U.S. Embassy Port Moresby
Harbour City Road, Konedobu, Port Moresby, NCD 121 Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675-308-9100 Email: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov
After-Hours Emergencies: +675-7200-9439. Hours: Monday-Friday, 0745-1630.
OSAC Country Chapters
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in Vanuatu.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Vanuatu Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Vanuatu lowering the Travel Advisory from Level 3 to Level due to due to ongoing recovery efforts and removal of the Natural Disaster (N) indicator. reconsider travel to Vanuatu following the December 17, 2024 earthquake.
The earthquake caused significant damage to local infrastructure. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Vanuatu is limited.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Vila as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Vanuatu.
The crime emergency line in Vanuatu is 1111, or non-emergency (+678) 2222 in Port Vila and (+678) 36222 in Santo.
Although violent crime is relatively rare in Vanuatu, there is always a risk that you could be a victim of theft, burglary, sexual harassment, or sexual assault. Take reasonable precautions to avoid undue risk, especially in tourist areas. Women should avoid going out alone at night or to isolated locations. The common crime in Port Vila is ‘break and enter stealing’ or burglary. The Embassy has also received some reports of ATM or credit card number theft after a card was used in Vanuatu. While this does not appear to be widespread, travelers are advised to monitor their accounts after using their ATM or credit cards in Vanuatu for any unauthorized activity.
When in public, avoid carrying purses, jewelry, briefcases or other valuable items that are likely to draw unwanted attention. Do not carry large sums of money on your person.
Following the December 2024 earthquake, one police inspector estimated that reported violence cases increased by at least 2%; he added that there had also been a high amount of theft. He noted that the police’s family protection unit responded to nearly 50 assault cases (mostly against women).
There are no specific areas in Vanuatu of particular concern for criminality.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Vanuatu.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Vila as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Vanuatu.
Vanuatu has no history with transnational terrorism.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Vila as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Vanuatu. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Vanuatu is a multiparty parliamentary democracy with a freely elected government. The country held a peaceful general election in January 2025.
Protests & Demonstrations
Civil disorder in Vanuatu is relatively rare; however, you should avoid public demonstrations and/or political rallies if they occur.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There is no anti-U.S. or anti-Western sentiment in Vanuatu.
Law Enforcement
The Vanuatu Police Force maintains internal security. The Vanuatu Mobile Force, a paramilitary police unit, is responsible for external security but is part of the police force and has a domestic law enforcement role. Both agencies report to the Internal Affairs Ministry. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces are not reported to have committed abuses.
Police Response
The ability of local police to assist victims of crime is very limited. Victims can expect no response from the police or a longer than normal response time. The response time is very late and Police support in outlying islands is extremely limited and often serviced regionally by a small office.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Vanuatu, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Vanuatu.
The constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court, and the government generally observes these requirements.
The constitution provides for the right to a fair and public trial, and an independent judiciary generally enforces this right. The judicial system derives from British common law. Judges conduct trials and render verdicts. The courts uphold constitutional provisions for a presumption of innocence, a prohibition against double jeopardy, a right to counsel, a right to free assistance of an interpreter, a right to question witnesses, a right not to be compelled to testify or confess guilt, a right to be present at trial, and a right of appeal. The law extends these rights to all defendants.
There is an independent and impartial judiciary for civil matters, including for human rights violations. The government, including police, generally comply with court decisions on human rights violations.
The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively. Officials, however, sometimes engaged in corrupt practices with impunity, and there were numerous reports of government corruption.
The Office of the Ombudsman and the Auditor General’s Office are the government agencies responsible for combating government corruption.
Cybersecurity
Vanuatu has made advances in its cybersecurity roadmap. The country participated in the inaugural Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON) event in 2018 funded by the Australian government to enhance cyber resilience in the region. Vanuatu has also launched its own Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to improve the security infrastructure and monitor/manage threats and vulnerabilities.
Exercise normal security precautions when using public computers, ensuring you have logged off all accounts before leaving the terminal.
Import/Export Restrictions
Vanuatu is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the WTO. Vanuatu has increased its enforcement of intellectual property with the enactment of the Customs Act in 2015. As a result, the prevalence of pirated items has declined.
Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations on importing or exporting items such as firearms, certain prescription drugs, wooden artifacts, exotic animals, food items, and sexually explicit material. Other products may be subject to quarantine. For specific information regarding customs requirements, contact the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United Nations.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
