Vanuatu
Warnings and insurance
Earthquake gettingin Port Vila, Vanuatu
There was a significant earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 17 December causing damage to buildings and local infrastructure.
There is a risk of aftershocks. Follow the advice of the local authorities and seek higher ground if directed.
If you are in Port Vila and need assistance from the UK governmentgovernment, ('Safetycall andthe security'British andHigh 'GettingCommission help'on pages).
(02)6270 6666.
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If you are safe, remember to let your family or friends know.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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Update history
2025-02-25 10:36
Updated information about the earthquake in Port Villa and new information about getting assistance from the UK government (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Getting help’ pages).
2024-12-20 13:50
Updated information following an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-12-17 11:38
New information about an earthquake in Port Villa, Vanuatu (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-10-11 15:48
Updated information on visa requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-08-12 17:28
Information that Air Vanuatu is not currently operating international or domestic flights (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-08 14:44
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-15 10:38
Removal of tropical cyclone warning status, which is no longer in place (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-23 16:22
Tropical cyclone warnings are in place in Vanuatu (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-07-14 15:04
Lifting of COVID-19 requirements (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-06-22 10:42
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-03-07 16:03
Updated information on Tropical Cyclone Kevin (‘Summary’ Page).
2023-03-04 08:08
Updated information on Tropical Cyclone Kevin (Summary Page)
2023-03-02 11:54
Updated information on Tropical Cyclone Kevin forecast between the 3rd and 4th March 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-01 08:50
Update on Tropical Cyclone Judy, and further extreme weather (Summary)
2023-02-27 15:26
Addition of information of Tropical Cyclone Judy that is expected to affect Vanuatu (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-13 16:57
Updated information on Vanuatu’s political situation, travel via Fiji, and the use of credit or debit cards (‘Safety and Security’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Money’ pages).
2022-09-15 16:23
Updated information on the easing of COVID-19 measures (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-06-30 16:07
Updated information on the border re-opening, resumption of scheduled flights and the easing of COVID-19 entry restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-24 13:31
Updated information on the move of all provinces and islands to Recovery Level 1 and the removal of curfew requirements (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-06-15 15:49
Lifting of mandatory quarantine requirement for inbound travellers (‘International Travel’ page). Update to islands still subject to overnight curfew (‘Public Places and Services’ page).
2022-05-19 15:10
Update to information following the easing of restrictions in most provinces except Torba and Erromango, which remain at national COVID-19 alert level three (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-05-06 15:46
Update to information on COVID-19 restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-04-29 10:25
Update to information on COVID-19 restrictions in part of Tafea Province, including Tanna Island (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-04-25 17:06
Update to information on COVID-19 restrictions, the availability of repatriation flights, and quarantine requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-08 15:16
Updated information on COVID-19 requirements (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-03-22 15:25
Updated information on COVID-19 requirements and fines (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-03-18 16:00
Addition of information on the move of the whole of Vanuatu to COVID-19 alert level 3. Updated information on lockdowns, curfews and cargo flight services (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-03-05 06:43
Updated information on Covid-19 community transmission on Efate province and it’s offshore islands. Partial lockdown and 72 hour curfew in effect. Inbound international flights and inter-island travel to and from Efate has been suspended (See ‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-02-26 09:36
Updated information on Covid-19 cases, travel registration changes and restrictions on international and domestic travel (See ‘Coronavirus’ page).