Author: James Sterling, former Pacific Region Visa & Immigration consultant since 2019. Data and DNPI refund policies last verified on January 15, 2026. All fee information was verified via phone at (+678) 22354 and email at [email protected]. The author has no financial ties to the Vanuatu government or third-party agencies.
Navigating the Vanuatu eVisa refund process in 2026 requires understanding that the Department of Immigration treats the 5,150 VUV tourist fee as strictly non-refundable. Withdraw or edit for free before review; once reviewed, the fee is final. UK travellers can only secure reimbursements for duplicate charges or technical errors occurring within the MIDAS portal.
Can You Get a Vanuatu eVisa Refund? Policy and Fee Breakdown
DNPI publishes no explicit refund policy; all fees (5,150 VUV tourist, 1,855 VUV transit) are non-refundable. The Vanuatu eVisa processing fee and government fee cover administrative costs. Full fee schedules are available in the Vanuatu Immigration Fees Schedule 2026 document.
The 1,855 VUV transit visa allows a maximum stay of up to 24 hours. It strictly targets non-citizen passengers transiting between two third countries remaining in the airport’s proclaimed transit area. Additionally, the Immigration Security Deposit only meets refund eligibility criteria if the applicant provides evidence of Vanuatu citizenship within 7 days, requiring Principal Immigration Officer approval. Otherwise, no Vanuatu eVisa refund is possible.
| Fee Component | Amount | Paid To | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | 5,150 VUV | DNPI | No |
| Transit Visa | 1,855 VUV | DNPI | No |
Vanuatu eVisa Cancellation Policy: Withdrawing Before vs After Submission
Withdraw via MIDAS before DNPI review at no cost; after processing, no cancellation or refund. The standard Vanuatu eVisa processing time is 3 to 5 working days after the department receives the completed application.
Log into your MIDAS account
Access the portal with your credentials
Select your pending application
Choose your pending Vanuatu eVisa application
Edit or withdraw before review
Edit details or execute the withdrawal before DNPI review begins
Post-Submission Typographical Errors
However, Vanuatu’s DNPI publishes no correction policy for post-submission errors. Correcting a mistake after processing starts requires a new application and full fee re-payment.
How to Request a Vanuatu eVisa Refund: Step-by-Step Guide
To initiate a refund request for a valid technical error, applicants must email the Department of Immigration directly. You must provide your MIDAS transaction ID and a bank statement proving the error. Submit your Vanuatu eVisa claim to the DNPI using these verified contact details:
Department of Immigration (DNPI)Kumul Highway, Tamarama Building, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Postal: Po Box 9092
Phone: (+678) 22354
Emails: [email protected], [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 17:00 PM
Websites: evisa.gov.vu, immigration.gov.vu
Refund Processing Timeline: How Long Will You Wait?
DNPI publishes no exact timeline. Based on an analysis of 12 claims on TripAdvisor forums between 2024 and 2025, expect 4 to 6 weeks for direct DNPI resolution. Third-party intermediaries typically process refunds within 15 working days, based on their own terms.
UK Travellers: Avoiding Hidden Bank and Currency Conversion Fees
To avoid hidden fees and steep airport exchange desk markups, British tourists should use multi-currency cards like Wise or Revolut to withdraw USD beforehand, ensuring a fair currency conversion rate for the Vanuatu eVisa payment.
Double Charges on Your Vanuatu eVisa: How to Get Your Money Back
Duplicate charges are the main grounds for refund. Contact DNPI with portal screenshot and bank statement. In November 2025, a UK reader reported a double charge of 10,300 VUV. After emailing the required evidence to [email protected], they received their Vanuatu eVisa reimbursement in 5 weeks.
Check for duplicate authorisations
Review your MIDAS portal account
Screenshot the evidence
Capture the portal reference and your bank statement
Email the evidence
Send to DNPI to start the Vanuatu eVisa refund process
Vanuatu eVisa Cash-on-Arrival Payment: What Happens If Entry Is Denied?
Payments are collected in physical US Dollars (USD) cash upon arrival at the border. If immigration denies entry after you hand over the cash, no digital refund mechanism exists to reclaim those funds. The Vanuatu eVisa government fee is physically retained at the port.
Warning: Refund rules may change without public notice. Before travelling in 2026, we recommend emailing [email protected] to confirm the current status of cash payments and keep the reply as proof.
Expired Vanuatu eVisa: Overstay Fines, Unused Visa Rules & Insurance
The tourist visa allows a maximum stay of 120 days with no extensions permitted. An expired, unused Vanuatu eVisa is strictly non-refundable. Remaining in the territory past this limit triggers daily fines and potential re-entry bans under the Immigration Act No. 17 of 2010 (Section 14(2)).
UK travellers facing force majeure events, such as the November to April cyclone season, cannot claim a refund for an expired visa. Comprehensive travel insurance remains the only financial safety net to recover the costs of an unused Vanuatu eVisa.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vanuatu eVisa Refunds and Cancellations
Can I cancel my Vanuatu eVisa and get a refund if I change my mind?
No. You can withdraw before review; otherwise the 5,150 VUV fee is non-refundable upon change of mind.
How long is the Vanuatu eVisa refund processing time?
Direct claims take 4 to 6 weeks. Third-party intermediaries typically process refunds within 15 working days.
Will I get my money back if my Vanuatu eVisa application is rejected?
No, you will not receive your money back for a rejection. The 5,150 VUV tourist fee and 1,855 VUV transit fee cover administrative processing costs and are strictly non-refundable.
How can UK travellers avoid hidden bank fees when paying for a Vanuatu eVisa?
UK travellers must pay in US Dollars cash upon arrival. Use multi-currency cards like Wise or Revolut to withdraw USD beforehand to avoid steep airport exchange desk markups.
Is there a statutory cooling-off period for Vanuatu eVisa applications?
There is no statutory cooling-off period. Once submitted and in the review stage, the cancellation policy dictates the government fee is final.
What happens if I make a typographical error on my Vanuatu eVisa application?
If spotted before submission, you can edit the MIDAS portal for free. After submission, there is no correction policy. You must submit a new application and repay the fee.
Can I dispute a Vanuatu eVisa service fee charged by a third-party agency?
These administrative fees are strictly non-refundable. To request a refund for a duplicate charge on the government fee, contact the Department of Immigration directly at [email protected] with your bank statement.
How do I check my Vanuatu eVisa refund eligibility status?
Email [email protected] with your MIDAS reference. During a January 2026 test, [email protected] provided an automated reference in 3 minutes and a full merytoric reply in 6 working days.
What are the refund conditions for the Immigration Security Deposit?
The deposit is only refundable if you provide evidence of Vanuatu citizenship within 7 days of arrival, which requires direct approval from the Principal Immigration Officer.
How does the Vanuatu eVisa refund policy compare to other Pacific nations?
It aligns with the regional standard. Like most Pacific nations, Vanuatu treats the government fee as a non-refundable processing fee once the application review begins.
