Marriage in Vanuatu
In order to marry in Vanuatu, the parties must do the following no less than 21 days before the ceremony: fill out and submit a form to the Municipality of Port Vila (P.O. Box 99, Port Vila, Vanuatu; phone: (678) 22113; fax: (678) 25002; submit copies of their passports (if expatriates), proof of dissolution of previous marriages (if applicable); give their places of birth, current addresses, names of parents, and the particulars of two persons who will witness the ceremony.
This information will be posted at the Town Hall for 21 days. The Mayor of Port Vila will then conduct the ceremony on the Friday following the expiration of the waiting period (marriages are performed only on Fridays) at the Town Hall or at a location of the parties' choosing within Port Vila. If performed at Town Hall, the fee for the ceremony is Vatu 1,500 (USD 13.65). If performed elsewhere, the fee is Vatu 5,500 (USD 50.00).
Parties desiring a religious ceremony, must make arrangements with a minister who is authorized to perform marriages. The minister is required to announce in Church the couple's intention to marry 21 days prior to the ceremony, or to post the banns at the Church 21 days prior to the ceremony. After the ceremony the Minister will lodge the necessary documents with the Town Hall.
Persons wishing further details on marriage in Vanuatu should contact Madeline at the Municipality of Port Vila at the above fax number.
Work Permits in Vanuatu
Applications for Vanuatu work permits must be made on the form entitled "Application for a permit to enter and reside in Vanuatu." Attached to the application should be photos of the applicant, a letter stating that a repatriation bond has been posted, evidence of deposits in local banks (if applicable), information regarding employment from the prospective employer (if applicable) and a police clearance*. The application should be submitted to the Principal Immigration Officer, Francois Batlick, P.O. Box 092, Port Vila, Vanuatu, phone: (678)22354; fax: (678) 25492. Each application is considered individually, so documentary requirements may vary from case to case. The Minister for Immigration has wide discretion in approving or disapproving permits.
Persons wishing to invest in Vanuatu may obtain residence permits based on the amounts of their investments. A person wishing to invest five million Vatu (USD 45,000) in a local business with the approval of the Department of Finance may qualify for a one-year renewable residence permit as a "Small Urban Investor." A person investing the same amount of money in an agricultural enterprise approved by the Department of Agriculture may qualify for a one-year renewable residence permit as a "Small-Holder Farmer." A person wishing to invest between 15 million and 100 million Vatu (USD 136,400 to USD 910,000) in a project having the approval of the Department of Finance may qualify for a residence permit of between three and fifteen years as a "Major Investor." The address of Vanuatu; phone: (678) 24544. The address of the Department of Agriculture is: Private Mail Bag 040, Port Vila, Vanuatu; phone (678) 22525 or 24160; fax: (678) 25265.
*Please note: the FBI does not provide U.S. police clearances to individual
applicants, and will not do so if requested. The FBI will respond to requests
for criminal-record checks received from other law-enforcement agencies only.
Applicants are advised to contact the Commission of Police, private Mail Bag
014m, Port Vila, Vanuatu; phone (678) 2222; fax: (678) 22800. Should the Office
of the Commissioner of Police agree to initiate the criminal record check, it
should contact the Office of the Legal Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra,
Australia, giving the applicant's complete name, any aliases or maiden names,
and date and place of birth. The address of the Legal Attache is: U.S. Embassy,
Moonah Place, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600; phone (616) 270-5982; FAX: (616) 270-5970.
Applicants should not contact the Embassy in Port Moresby with the requests for
police clearances. Applicants may also wish to contact the local or state police
force(s) in their previous place(s) of residence in the U.S. in order to obtain
local police clearances.
|
||||
