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Social Exchange Visa

VanuatuCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Vanuatu Read the five questions ↓

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

The qualifying activities are a community support programme sponsored by an organisation or entity; a research project sponsored by an educational institution; film-making or other media activity sponsored by a media or film organisation; and student attachment.

See recorded sources
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The Social Exchange Visa is a type of visa given to individuals who are in Vanuatu or outside Vanuatu and are applying for a visa to reside in Vanuatu. The applicant purpose for the following activities: • Participate in a community support program sponsored by an organization or entity • Undertake a research project spored by an educational institution • Engage in a film making or other media activity sponsored by a media or film organization, with a permit from the Cultural center. • Student Attachment

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

The sponsoring organisation or entity (community support), the sponsoring educational institution inside or outside Vanuatu (research) or the sponsoring media or film organisation (film/media) must give the Director written advice detailing the proposed activity and its time frame (and, for research and film/media, the nature of the activity and the applicant's profile; for community support and research, also its location).

See recorded sources
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The Director must receive a written advice from the sponsoring organization or entity under subparagraph (a) (i) detailing the nature and location of the proposed activity and the proposed time frame.
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The director must receive written advice from the sponsoring educational institution under subparagraph (a) (ii) (either inside or outside Vanuatu) detailing the nature and location of the proposed research activity and the proposed timeframe and the profile of the applicant
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The Director must receive written advice from the sponsoring media or film organization under subparagraph (a) (iii) detailing the nature of the proposed activity and the proposed time frame and the profile of the applicant.

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

The sponsoring organisation or entity (community support), the sponsoring educational institution (research) or the sponsoring media or film organisation (film/media) must give the Director written advice detailing the proposed activity and its time frame. Film-making or other media activity requires a permit from the Cultural Centre. The official source names no proof for student attachment.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • For community support and research, the only proof named is the sponsor's written advice (see host box); the page names no proof for student attachment.
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    ▪ Engage in a film making or other media activity sponsored by a media or film organization, with a permit from the cultural centre.
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The Director must receive a written advice from the sponsoring organization or entity under subparagraph (a) (i) detailing the nature and location of the proposed activity and the proposed time frame.
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The director must receive written advice from the sponsoring educational institution under subparagraph (a) (ii) (either inside or outside Vanuatu) detailing the nature and location of the proposed research activity and the proposed timeframe and the profile of the applicant
  • https://immigration.gov.vu/specialist/
    The Director must receive written advice from the sponsoring media or film organization under subparagraph (a) (iii) detailing the nature of the proposed activity and the proposed time frame and the profile of the applicant.

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

Holders must not work outside the proposed activity; international students on attachment continue with the attachment without any employment outside it. The official source does not state whether salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement may be received.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not say whether salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement may be received.

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

The visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months, allows multiple entry, provides for secondary applicants and does not allow a change of visa status. The official source does not state whether the visa can be extended or whether the host or activity can be changed.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not say whether the visa can be extended or whether the host or activity can change.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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