Your Trusted Partner for Recruitment in Vanuatu

To better fulfill your recruitment needs, we at Remote People are here to help you find top talent in Vanuatu more effectively than recruiting on your own. Our team understands the local language, customs, and the intricacies of the Ni-Vanuatu talent market, giving you a significant advantage in securing the right candidates.

We know where to advertise your job openings to ensure maximum exposure and attract the best talent. Additionally, we assist in designing competitive, locally-appropriate compensation packages that not only appeal to top candidates but also help you optimize costs. 

Get in touch with us to navigate Vanuatus’ recruitment landscape with confidence and ease.

The Republic of Vanuatu is an archipelago country located in the South Pacific Ocean. A haven for finding talent in a growing market, Vanuatu’s economy depends mainly on agriculture, with 80% of its population in agricultural work, from subsistence to cash crop production for commercial purposes. Its GDP growth is 1.4% for 2025.

The employment agencies market mainly characterizes recruitment in Vanuatu. Its development is defined by the country’s shift from its original agricultural economy to one based on other industries such as tourism, financial services, and manufacturing. 

This shift has led to an increasing demand for local and foreign professional personnel and the growing importance of recruitment agencies in finding candidates for employers.

Recruitment Services in Vanuatu

Executive Search in Vanuatu

The market for senior executive search (headhunting)  in Vanuatu is highly specialized, dealing primarily with the placement of upper management staff in major businesses that operate across the country’s primary sectors. Executive recruiters are well-versed in Vanuatu’s market and have access to a strong network of local, regional, and international talent.

As with most executive search processes, headhunting on an international basis is common, due to the smaller nature of the local talent pool in the specific fields for which a recruitment service is being sought. Many executive search firms in Vanuatu are equipped to manage these processes, including work and visa clearance for international candidates. 

A senior executive search process includes a number of market mapping activities, confidential identification of potential candidates, and a rigorous evaluation process in which candidates are assessed on skills and expertise and their fit with company culture.

Recruiting Expats in Vanuatu

Employment of foreign professionals is an important part of the talent acquisition market in Vanuatu. The Employment Visa is a type of visa that is for a Person who is subject to acceptable sponsorship by an Employer, to come to Vanuatu for skilled work, for longer than two months.

An employment visa is valid for a year, and those seeking to stay longer in Vanuatu can extend their work visa to a maximum of four years. The process involves thorough documentation of employment contracts, verification of educational credentials, and health clearances. 

Remote People can support organizations in each step of the process, with end-to-end support from recruitment, through visa processing, to compliance management.

Recruit in Vanuatu

Vanuatu offers a bilingual workforce fluent in English, French, and Bislama, with strengths in tourism, hospitality, agriculture, and fisheries.

We source pre-vetted candidates across industries, handling local employment practices and Vanuatu recruitment requirements.

No local entity needed. Your team can start in days.

FIND TALENT

Overview of Vanuatu's Workforce

The total number of workers in Vanuatu is about 118,000, within a population of 327,000. The employed population is young, with most under the age of 30. Major industries are agriculture, tourism, financial services, construction, and government services.

Agriculture employs the most people, despite a falling share of formal employment. Employment shifts show a slow move to service jobs, with more in hospitality, retail, and professional services. Skills gaps remain in technical areas, healthcare, education, and niche business services.

Overview of Vanuatu's Recruitment Landscape

The recruitment industry is relatively small but growing as Vanuatu’s economy develops. Generalist agencies tend to recruit for local businesses, and specialisms have developed in tourism, construction, finance, and government-related work.

The limited skilled workforce, particularly in the fields of ICT, engineering, healthcare, and senior management, presents a challenge. Positions are often filled by expatriates or through regional labour mobility programs. However, government policy is aimed at training and promoting local labour.

Recruitment is changing due to digital technology such as job portals, social media, and video interviews. However, more traditional techniques such as personal networks, recruitment agencies, and local advertisements remain relevant due to the country’s infrastructure constraints.

As foreign investment and infrastructure projects develop further, the recruitment market is expected to grow.

Recruitment Season in Vanuatu

Recruitment in Vanuatu is linked to global business cycles and is seasonally driven locally. The first peak in recruitment usually occurs between March and May, as the cyclone season ends and the tourism high season starts. The second peak is from September to November, when budgets are set for the year ahead and ahead of the start of the tourism season.

Hiring in the agricultural sector is seasonal, with sowing and harvest cycles. The tourism sector has two peaks in the year, which coincide with high tourist arrival seasons. Recruitment in professional services and for executives is less seasonal but can pick up in the first and third quarters.

What Is the Largest Online Recruitment Platform in Vanuatu?

Online recruitment in Vanuatu is still developing, but some online recruitment platforms operate in Vanuatu and the Pacific Islands. LinkedIn has a presence in Vanuatu and is used to recruit professionals and executives. Local newspaper advertising, including job advertising in the Vanuatu Daily Post, is also used.

The Department of Labour and Employment Services provides Vanuatu government employment services, including job boards and placement services.

Laws that Apply to Recruitment in Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s labor law is outlined in the Employment Act (Cap 160). The Act details how to form employment relationships, rights for workers, and responsibilities of employers. It balances the need to protect workers and attract investment by providing a fair but flexible system.

Who Can Legally Hire in Vanuatu?

The right to employ staff in Vanuatu depends on the legal form of the business and its compliance with local laws and regulations. Employers must operate under a registered legal entity and in accordance with the Employment Act, the Business Names Act, and other relevant legislation.

The following entities are allowed to hire employees:

  • Registered companies under the Vanuatu Companies Act. The common employers are small private companies, followed by the larger corporations.
  • Partnerships and sole proprietors may employ staff once they are registered under the Business Names Act and licensed to trade in the local economy.
  • Branches of overseas companies must be formally registered with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) before they can employ staff.
  • Non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) and international agencies, if registered with the appropriate authorities.

An Employer of Record (EOR) solution is another option. An EOR provider will hire employees on behalf of a foreign company, managing all compliance on their own behalf. The client company retains full control over operations.

Work Requirements for Employees

Persons who are less than 14 years of age cannot be employed. Employment of children younger than 18 is limited to light work. Vanuatu citizens and residents may work in any occupation. Foreigners must have the required work permits or employment visas.

Employment Contracts

The Employment Act regulates employment contracts in Vanuatu and can be verbal or written. Written form is compulsory for contracts of more than six months duration or for any contract of employment where the employee was recruited overseas. Although it is possible to have oral contracts, it is advisable to have a written contract as it ensures clarity and legal certainty.

Contracts can be indefinite or for a fixed duration. Open contracts remain in effect until termination, and fixed contracts are generally used for temporary employment or work on a specific project. Probationary periods are common. These can last between three and six months.

Standard terms include job description, salary, working hours, conditions, and benefits. Other usual terms include entitlement to leave and termination. The employer is also required to register the staff with the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF). Any provision offering less than minimum standards as provided by the Vanuatu labour law, such as minimum wage, working time or leave are not valid.

Working Hours

Normal working hours are eight hours per day and 44 hours per week. Unless the nature of the work done requires continuous attendance, no employee shall be required to work on a Sunday or public holiday. There should be a meal break and a rest period in a day’s work.

Higher rates of pay are required for overtime worked: one and a quarter times the normal rate for the first four hours, and one and a half times after that. A rate of one and a half times the normal rate of pay also applies for work done on Sundays and public holidays. Consent of the employees is required for work in excess of nine hours in a day.

Minimum Wage

Vanuatu sets a minimum wage of VUV 300 per hour worked. This is the minimum wage for normal hours worked. Up to 44 hours per week, or 8 hours per day. The minimum wage applies to all employees. No matter the nationality or type of employment.

Annual Leave

Employees who have been in continuous employment for at least twelve months are entitled to paid annual leave. The amount of leave depends on the length of service, and unless an agreement is reached, it must be taken in one block. Annual leave that has not been taken must be paid out at the termination of employment. Annual leave entitlements are as follows:

Years of ServiceAnnual Leave Entitlement
1–6 years15 working days per year
7–19 years21 working days per year
20–24 years36 working days per year
25–29 years48 working days per year
30+ years72 working days per year

These increases do not apply to employees in the agricultural industry.

Sick Leave

Employees who have completed six months of continuous service are entitled to twenty-one working days of paid sick leave per year. This leave shall be on full pay, subject to the employee providing a medical certificate where required by the employer.

Maternity Leave

Female workers are entitled to twelve weeks of maternity leave. They are to be absent from work for six weeks before delivery and six weeks after delivery. Female workers on maternity leave cannot be compelled to work and shall be entitled to sixty-six percent of their normal wages.

Benefits of Partnering with a Recruitment Agency in Vanuatu

Recruitment agencies in Vanuatu offer valuable cultural insights into the country. Another potential benefit of using a recruitment agency is its knowledge of compliance. They have an up-to-date knowledge of employment laws and visas.

Network access is very useful in the small Vanuatu market, where personal relationships and reputation are especially important. Speed and efficiency increase as the agencies have specialized processes and dedicated resources, so organizations can fill positions faster and focus on their business.

How to Choose a Vanuatu Recruitment Agency

When choosing a recruitment agency in Vanuatu, employers should consider the agency’s local experience and knowledge of the industry, as well as its track record of success. The agency’s reputation is also important to consider.

Agency technological capabilities are another evolving area of differentiation. Top agencies are harnessing technology platforms for recruitment and using digital channels for candidate and client communications. The level of service can be customized to needs, from spot placements to full outsourcing of recruitment functions.

Recruit Top Talent Across Asia-Pacific Region with Our Recruitment Expertise

With both local market and global talent sourcing expertise, Remote People will help you successfully source candidates in Vanuatu. The business, economic, employment law, and cultural landscape in Vanuatu are well understood by the Remote People team, allowing you to confidently recruit.

We also offer EOR services as a trusted third party to provide you with the local information you need to start working. This ensures that your visa applications, work permits, and registrations are complete and compliant.

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Recruit Top Talent in Vanuatu with Remote People

Ready to expand in Vanuatu? remote people can connect you with skilled local talent. Contact us today to discuss your hiring needs and reach your recruitment objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they can if they are registered with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) as a local business or branch. A foreign company can also legally employ people through an Employer of Record (EOR) service, without establishing a local company.

The normal workweek is 44 hours, which is 8 hours per day. Additional hours are paid at overtime rates of 1.25 times the normal hourly rate for the first 4 hours. After 4 hours of overtime, the rate is 1.5 times the normal hourly rate. Working on a Sunday or a public holiday is paid at 1.5 times the normal hourly rate.

Recruitment in Vanuatu spikes twice per year. The first is from March to May, once the cyclone season has passed and before the peak tourism season starts. The second is from September to November, when businesses prepare budgets and tourism activity picks up again.