Stage 1
Review
- Validity of every family passport
- The citizenship certificate
- Spelling of the name in all documents
ResultYou know what to renew and when, with no mismatches before filing
For Vanuatu citizens
Vanuatu passport renewal
Citizenship does not expire, the passport does: an adult passport is valid for 10 years, a child passport for 5. We check the details of the whole family, complete the applications, file them with the Vanuatu passport authority and deliver the new passports. There is no need to fly to the islands.
We also take clients whose citizenship was arranged by another agent.
01When to renewValidity
When it is time to renew the passport
We go by the expiry date printed in the passport. Filing from abroad and sending originals take time, so we start the renewal early.
Several months before the date in the passport
Many countries only admit travellers with validity to spare. A passport close to expiry is no longer fit for travel.
For each family member separately
Adults and children hold passports issued on different dates. We draw up one calendar so that everything is renewed in one go.
If the passport has already expired
Citizenship does not end. But an expired passport cannot be used to travel or to confirm status with a bank, so we arrange a new one.
When it is convenient to do everything at once
Together with the renewal we update details after a marriage, arrange the children’s documents and settle other open questions.
02Validity and feesPublished tariffs
How long the passport lasts and what renewal costs
The government fee is paid for each passport. We quote the total for the family after reviewing the documents.
ItemValue
Validity
Adult passport10 years
Child passport5 years
Government fee
Ordinary passport, per person5,000 VT
Urgent processingper the authority’s invoice
Separately
Courier delivery of originalscourier tariff
BRIDGES workper quote
Official Vanuatu sources publish different fee tables. We confirm the amount payable against the passport authority’s invoice before filing.
03SituationsWhy clients come
Which passports clients bring for renewal
Typical cases of planned renewal. Choose yours and a specialist will reply on it.
The passport expires this year
A planned renewal ahead of time, while the passport is still fit for travel.
A child passport is expiring
Five years go by quickly. We renew the child passport, together with the adults if needed.
Trips and visas are coming up
The passport must keep validity to spare for the whole trip. We plan the order so you make your dates.
The whole family is renewing
The passports expire on close dates. The renewal runs as one process with one coordinator.
The passport has already expired
We confirm the status in the Vanuatu registers and arrange a new passport.
04How it worksFour steps
How the renewal works
From the data check to the new passport in your hands. We name the timing after the review: it is set by the Vanuatu passport authority.
Data check
We compare the passport, the citizenship certificate and the spelling of the name across all documents.
Application and photos
We complete the passport forms and prepare compliant photographs and the supporting documents.
Filing
The documents go to the Vanuatu passport authority. We answer its requests and follow the review.
Issue and delivery
We collect the new passport and deliver it to you. The previous passport is cancelled under the authority’s rules.
05What we do
What our work includes
We quote after reviewing the documents
Stage 2
Documents
- Passport forms for each person
- Photographs to the authority’s requirements
- Parental consent for a child
ResultThe applications are ready, you only sign them
Stage 3
Filing
- Submission to the passport authority
- Payment of fees per the invoice
- Answers to the authority’s requests
ResultThe applications are accepted and you know the status at every step
Stage 4
Issue
- Collection of the new passports
- Courier delivery to you
- Cancellation of the previous passports
ResultThe new passports are in your hands
06Special casesAdditional steps
When renewal is more complex
These cases need additional steps. We handle them within the same process.
01The surname or name has changed
After a marriage, divorce or change of name, the change is first entered in the Vanuatu registers, then a passport with the new details is issued.
02The passport of the first citizenship has changed
If the details in the other passport have changed, we resolve the mismatch before filing. Otherwise the authority returns the application.
03The passport expired long ago
We first confirm citizen status in the registers, restore the certificate if needed, and only then arrange the passport.
04A child passport
A separate application is filed for the child and a parent or legal guardian signs a consent. The renewal date comes from the child passport.
05Citizenship was arranged by another agent
We take such cases. What matters is that the status is confirmed in the Vanuatu government registers, not who handled the first application.
07DocumentsWhat we need from you
Which documents you will need
The basic set for a planned renewal. We confirm the exact list after the review.
Vanuatu passport
Valid or expired. For an expired one we add confirmation of status in the registers.
Citizenship certificate
A copy of the Certificate of Citizenship. If it is lost, we restore it first.
Passport of the first citizenship
A valid passport to check the personal details.
Photographs
Recent photos to the passport authority’s requirements. We will send the specifications.
Marriage, divorce or change of name certificates
If the details have changed.
Power of attorney
If the filing route requires it. We prepare the template.
08ArticlesBRIDGES blog
Further reading
A Vanuatu passport is renewed every 10 years; citizenship never needs renewing
Validity, the procedure and what happens to an expired passport.
The name in a Vanuatu passport: transliteration and matching other documents
How to avoid the mismatches that get an application returned.
Lost and replaced Vanuatu passport: the first 48 hours and issue of a new one
What to do if the passport is lost or stolen.
How to travel with a Vanuatu passport and a second passport: ticket, border, visas
Which passport to book the ticket on and what to show at the border.
09ServicesVanuatu
All services for Vanuatu citizens
Passport, family, documents and business: we handle every matter of a citizen in one place and remotely.
- You are on this pagePassport renewalWe renew an adult or child passport without a trip to Vanuatu, from filing to delivery of the new one.You are on this page
Passport and certificate replacementLost, stolen or damaged: we restore the passport and the citizenship certificate.Details 
Citizenship for the familyWe obtain the status for a newborn, a new spouse and children: the whole family in one process.Details 
Citizen documentsCertificates, records, the ID card and a Vanuatu driving licence, obtained on your behalf.Details 
Apostille and legalisationWe prepare Vanuatu documents for banks, transactions and authorities in any country.Details 
Business in VanuatuWe register a company, obtain a licence and open a bank account, end to end.Details 
Greek residenceEurope as the second step: we find the ground and obtain Greek residence for the whole family.Details 
Renouncing citizenshipIf you no longer need the status, we handle the renunciation carefully and to the end.Details
10TeamVanuatu passports
Who handles the renewal
The BRIDGES Caribbean and Pacific programmes department. A licensed Vanuatu agent files the applications and we coordinate.
Martina VeberHead of Case ProcessingPassports and status: renewal, replacement, certificate recovery
Irena SokolovskaHead of European PracticeTiming and applications: dates, forms and issue
Darya MelnikSenior Investment Migration AdvisorPersonal consultant: contact, status updates and questions
Daniel KovachSenior International Law AttorneyLegal review: grounds of status and the authority’s requirements11Reviews
What clients say
Reviews from clients we have supported in different countries.
ViktorInvestor
I did everything correctly: chose the fund, invested the money, and waited for my residence permit. Then it turns out the fund's certificate has an error, and because of that I might be denied. The money is invested, but the paperwork is flawed - and I'm the one who suffers!
Read the case
DanielOwner of a car dealership chain
I compared four companies and stayed with the one that told me about the risks in my case first and about prices second. Compliance went through without a single additional request.
Read the case
FadiFrom Beirut
Ziraat wanted me to freeze a deposit. Nikos showed that with property the accounts could be opened without it. The accounts are open, residence granted.
Read the case12QuestionsThe essentials
Questions about passport renewal
01Does Vanuatu citizenship need renewing?
No. Citizenship does not expire. Only the passport is renewed: an adult one every 10 years, a child one every 5 years.
02How early should I start the renewal?
Several months before the expiry date. Countries of entry require validity to spare, and filing from abroad takes longer than inside the country.
03Do I need to fly to Vanuatu?
No, we handle the renewal remotely. Whether documents can be filed without a personal visit in your case is confirmed before we start.
04What if the passport has already expired?
Citizenship does not end; a new passport is issued. After a long lapse we first confirm the status in the government registers.
05How much does renewal cost?
The government fee for an ordinary passport is 5,000 VT under the published tariff, and urgency can change the amount. We confirm the exact sum against the passport authority’s invoice. The quote also includes delivery and our work, which we price after reviewing the documents.
06Can the whole family renew at once?
Yes, and it is more convenient: one process, one coordinator and aligned timing. Each person still has their own application and fee.
07My surname has changed. Is this a standard renewal?
No, there is an extra step: the change is first entered in the Vanuatu registers, then a passport with the new details is issued.
08Another company arranged my citizenship. Will you take it on?
Yes. What matters to us is that the status is confirmed in the Vanuatu government registers, not who handled the first application.
09What happens to the old passport?
The previous passport is cancelled under the passport authority’s rules. We explain the return procedure before filing.
Sources: published Vanuatu government tariffs; the amount payable is confirmed against the passport authority’s invoice. Updated 24.10.2026.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer, citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice