About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
INTRODUCTION

This country profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Vanuatu’s (hereafter referred to as Vanuatu) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated by the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration. 

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings. 

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with the support of the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas: 

  • All immigrants, regardless of their legal status, can access government-funded national health services, including both emergency and non-emergency services.  

  • A Special Portability Agreement between New Zealand and Vanuatu allows those who qualify for pensions from New Zealand to continue to receive these from Vanuatu.  

  • All (non-visitor) visas allow family members to be granted the same class and length of visa as the original applicant.  

  • The Representation of the People Act allows for the Electoral Commission to designate a polling station in a foreign country and for the registration of Ni-Vanuatu emigrants living overseas.  

Areas with potential for further development:  

  • The law does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government only provides protection to refugees and grants temporary refugee status and asylum on an ad hoc basis.  

  • At private health-care facilities different fees may apply to both Ni-Vanuatu and non-Ni-Vanuatu patients.  

  • Education is not compulsory in Vanuatu, and access to education for immigrants is not guaranteed in all institutions.  

  • There are restrictions for immigrants accessing the labour market compared with nationals.  

  • There is need for improved gender balance in the seasonal worker scheme to Australia and New Zealand.

Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas: 

  • Migration policy design and implementation are handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.  

  • The Vanuatu Immigration Act (2010) sets out the institutions that regulate immigration to Vanuatu and the determination of refugee status. The legislation is complemented by the Immigration Visa Regulation Order (2011) which sets out the criteria and processes for applying for various types of visa.  

  • The Vanuatu National Statistics Office uses visitor details sourced from port and airport arrivals/departures which are published monthly, and is planning to include migration questions in the next mini-census. 

  • The latest Vanuatu National Population and Housing Census (2009) contained questions regarding citizenship, usual place of residence, residence five years prior to the census and place of birth. 

Areas with potential for further development:  

  • Vanuatu has no border management information system; as a consequence, there is limited data and evidence to inform policy development. 

  • The Department of Immigration does not publish data on migration regularly outside of the census. 

  • Vanuatu has not yet developed comprehensive and specific national legislation on migration. 

  • Vanuatu has not yet established an institution tasked with coordinating efforts to engage with its diaspora population.

Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas: 

Areas with potential for further development  

  • The National Labour Mobility summit recommended the updating of the “MOU and the Inter-agency Understanding” with Australia and New-Zealand. 

  • The formal engagement of civil society and the private sector in agenda-setting and implementation of migration policy could be strengthened. 

  • There are limited diaspora engagement activities headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; more structured and regular diaspora mapping, skills and resources profiling and diaspora engagement is required.

Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas:  

  • Vanuatu participates in the New Zealand RSE scheme, and the Australian SWP, which allow seasonal workers to work in New Zealand and Australia, respectively.  

  • There are some measures in place to promote ethical recruitment for immigrants. Forced labour and slavery are prohibited by the constitution and in legislation.  

  • There is some diaspora engagement and mobilization of remittances for community development especially through the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority. 

Areas with potential for further development:  

  • The Government does not currently assess the labour market to determine demand for migrant labour. 

  • Data on the labour market is collected on an ad hoc basis, it is limited, not regularly updated, and is not published.  

  • The National Labour Mobility Summit recommended the development of agent and employer guidelines to inform the seasonal worker programmes, including: improvement of selection procedure, pre-departure orientation, and licensing of labour recruitment agents. 

  • Although spot checks are carried out on employers jointly by the Department of ImmigrationDepartment of Labour and Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, there is limited awareness of human trafficking and no protection arrangements in place for victims of trafficking in Vanuatu.

Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas: 

  • Vanuatu has adopted and is implementing the Vanuatu Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2016-2030, under which a National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement was prepared and approved. The Policy aims to address displacement in times of disaster or resulting from the effects of climate change. 

  • The Government also has various unpublished evacuation/contingency plans regarding inhabited volcanic islands. 

  • An inter-ministerial cluster system to coordinate government response with non-governmental organizations and UN agencies in cases of humanitarian emergencies is activated once the Council of Ministers issues a state of emergency declaration. 

Areas with potential for further development:  

  • The Vanuatu Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2016-2030 does not cover specific situations that migrants may face during crises because of their specific status in the country.  

  • In order to support the implementation of the National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement, technical assistance is required to ensure that stakeholders have technical skills and knowledge needed to implement the policy and have Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) on planned relocation, local integration, and return to places of origin.   

  • There is no official process for making exceptions to the immigration procedures for immigrants whose country of origin is experiencing a crisis. 

  • The Government of Vanuatu’s national development strategy, Vanuatu 2030, captures climate change and disaster risk reductions but does not make specific provisions regarding internal displacement. 

  • There is a need for enhanced provision of social services, such as education and health, in communities affected by disasters, and the areas of relocation.

Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas: 

Areas with potential for further development:  

  • The Department of Immigration has a manual system for notifying residency permit holders regarding their permit expiration, and therefore it is unable to detect overstays automatically; a border management information system is required. 

  • There are no dedicated inter-institutional coordination mechanisms or national focal points responsible for Vanuatu’s response to trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants. 

  • The Department of Immigration’s website outlines various visa options, but does not offer much detail to aid understanding on different visa categories or how to apply. 

  • There are no formal programmes for facilitating the return and reintegration of Ni-Vanuatu migrants to their home country.

2018 August

Migration Governance Profile: Republic of Vanuatu