Online Vanuatu Police Clearance Service: What You Need to Know in 2025

In 2025, Vanuatu continues modernising its citizenship and residency procedures. A key part of that progress is the digitisation of background checks. Today, applicants for citizenship or residency can request a police clearance certificate online through the new e-PCC system. This shift is designed to make the process faster, more secure, and accessible no matter where the applicant resides.

For individuals applying for Vanuatu permanent residency or citizenship, obtaining a valid police clearance is not optional — it’s a legal requirement. In this article, we explain how the system works, what documents you’ll need, and what advantages the new digital process offers.

What Is e‑PCC and Why It Matters for Citizenship and Residency Applicants

The e-PCC (electronic Police Clearance Certificate) is an official digital document confirming that the applicant does not have a criminal record in Vanuatu. It’s required for several legal processes, especially immigration. For anyone applying for naturalisation, investment citizenship, or long-term residence, this document is one of the first elements requested.

Without it, the application cannot proceed. It’s part of the government’s effort to conduct due diligence and confirm that only individuals with clean legal backgrounds are approved for integration into the country.

Applicants for both citizenship and Vanuatu police clearance must therefore include this certificate as part of their submission package.

How the Online Application Process for Vanuatu Police Clearance Works

The e-PCC process is now entirely online. To begin, applicants must register on the official portal or through a licensed intermediary. After setting up a user profile, the applicant fills out a digital form with their personal information: full legal name, date and place of birth, passport number, current address, and purpose of request.

After verifying the data, the system allows the applicant to upload supporting documents and proceed to secure payment. The fee is paid electronically. Upon successful payment, the application enters review status.

What makes this process efficient is that everything is centralised. There is no need to send physical copies, visit local offices, or wait for mail. All steps, from form submission to certificate delivery, happen through the portal.

Required Documents and Application Steps

The online process is convenient, but it still demands accuracy. Applicants must submit clear, legible scans of the following documents:

• The biodata page of a valid passport;
  
• A recent passport-style photo taken within the last six months;
  
• A signed declaration form (provided digitally during application).
  

Each file must meet specific size and format requirements. Incorrect or low-quality files may delay the application or lead to rejection. Once uploaded, the documents are reviewed by authorised personnel in the police or immigration department.

The process typically includes a background check against national criminal records and immigration history. If no issues are found, the e-PCC is issued and delivered in PDF format with a secure validation code.

Benefits of Using the Digital System

The e-PCC system provides multiple benefits, especially for international applicants:

• Faster processing: most applications are completed within 2 to 5 business days;
  
• No need for physical presence: the entire process is remote.
  

Previously, obtaining a certificate could take weeks due to manual workflows and shipping delays. Now, applicants based abroad can complete the process without ever entering Vanuatu. This is especially important for those applying under urgent timelines, such as investment-based citizenship or family reunification.

Additionally, the certificate is delivered in a secure format that can be validated instantly by legal representatives, banks, or immigration officials. This reduces fraud and strengthens the reliability of the process.

How to Track Your Application and Who to Contact if Delayed

After submission, the applicant receives a reference number. This code can be used on the platform to check the status of the request in real time. Updates include:
“Submitted”, “Under Review”, “Approved”, or “Pending Additional Information”.

If the application status does not update after 5–7 business days, the applicant can contact the support desk directly through the platform. There is also an escalation option for urgent requests, especially in cases linked to immigration deadlines or court submissions.

Applicants are encouraged to monitor their email regularly, as most communication — including approval notifications and error alerts — is sent via email. All approved e-PCCs remain available for download from the user’s secure account for up to 90 days.