LOCATION: Vanuatu
U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and holders of valid U.S. visas who are currently in Vanuatu and wish to return to the United States—or transit the United States en route to the third country—are advised to read this message carefully.
Air Vanuatu recently confirmed a total of ten flights between Port Vila and Auckland between September 9th and December 30th, and a total of seven flights between Port Vila and Brisbane between August 29th and December 19th.
Qualified outbound passengers can be accommodated on these flights with advance approval from Vanuatu’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). Inbound passengers cannot be accommodated.
U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and holders of valid U.S. visas who wish to depart Vanuatu are urged to take advantage of the earliest flights possible, or else be prepared to remain in Vanuatu indefinitely until regular international commercial flights resume.
At this time, there is no estimate on when Vanuatu will re-open its international borders and this limited outbound flight schedule may be affected by unforeseen events in Vanuatu or the region.
If they have not done so already, prospective outbound passengers should register their interest with DFAT by providing their names, passport details, transit visa information (if applicable), and other supporting documents where required.
Points of contact at DFAT are:
Nathalie Vuti
Consular Officer
nvuti@vanuatu.gov.vu
33190
Eslyn Kaltongga
Senior Protocol Officer
ekaltongga@vanuatu.gov.vu
33190
DFAT will then review registrations and approve passengers on a rolling basis based on available seating and passenger caps imposed by the governments of New Zealand and Australia.
Approved passengers will be contacted by DFAT and will be advised of the date and time they can purchase tickets from Air Vanuatu.
Approved passengers will be able to purchase tickets by contacting Air Vanuatu at +679 20200, by visiting Air Vanuatu’s Port Vila office, or by contacting the following points of contact:
Clementine Salyor
csalyor@airvanuatu.vu
Roy Willie
rwillie@airvanuatu.vu
Cynthia Makambo
cmakambo@airvanuatu.vu
U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and U.S. visa holders are also urged to complete our Repatriation Interest Form, if they have not done so already. This will enable the Embassy to follow up with you directly and, if needed, to liaise with government officials regarding travel on the outbound flights.
Please note, however, that all travelers are responsible for contacting DFAT and Air Vanuaut directly, making their own travel arrangements, and ensuring they are eligible to transit any third country. The U.S. Embassy is not coordinating these flights and is not liable for any delays or disruption in travel.
Detailed information on flight schedules and the process for making reservations can be found here.
AIR VANUATU FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
Saturday, August 29th
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Saturday, September 5th
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, September 9th
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, September 23rd
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, October 7th
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, October 21st
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Saturday, October 24th
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, November 4th
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Saturday, November 7th
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, November 18th
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Saturday, November 21st
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, December 2nd
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Saturday, December 5th
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, December 16th
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Saturday, December 19th
NF820 – Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia
Departs Port Vila at 0700
Wednesday, December 30th
NF850 – Port Vila to Auckland, New Zealand
Departs Port Vila at 0700
TRANSIT OPTIONS FROM AUKLAND AND BRISBANE:
There are multiple international transit options available for qualified travelers who wish to take use the above-referenced flights to return to the United States or transit the United States en route to another country.
The flights to Auckland are likely the best option for most travelers, as Air New Zealand offers onward flights to Los Angeles daily. However, there are also multiple options for onward flights from Brisbane.
Please pay close attention to transit requirements further below.
From Auckland
Air New Zealand – Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Daily flights scheduled
Departs Auckland at 2130
From Brisbane
Air New Zealand – Brisbane (BNE) to Auckland (AKL) and Auckland to Los Angeles (LAX)
Flights scheduled on August 29, September 5, October 24, November 7 and 21, December 5 and 19
Depart Brisbane at 1215
Depart Auckland at 2130
Qatar Airways – Brisbane (BNE) to Doha (DOH) and Doha to multiple U.S. destinations
Flights scheduled August 30, September 6,
Depart Brisbane at 2130
Please note this option may require a Subclass 771 visa, an overnight stay, and/or quarantine for the duration of transit in Brisbane
Emirates – Brisbane (BNE) to Dubai (DXB) and Dubai to multiple U.S. destinations
Flights scheduled August 30, September 6, October 25, November 7 and 21, December 5 and 19
Depart Brisbane at approximately 2100
Please note this option may require a Subclass 771 visa, an overnight stay, and/or quarantine for the duration of transit in Brisbane
TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA:
New Zealand
- Transiting U.S. citizens must have a valid NZeTA
- Transiting passengers must be able to complete their transit in less than 24 hours and are not allowed to leave the airport
- See New Zealand Immigration for authoritative information
Australia
- U.S. citizens may transit Australia without a visa if their transit time is less than eight (8) hours. Transit times of greater than eight (8) hours require a valid Subclass 771 visa
- Any passenger whose transit is greater than 72 hours must obtain an exemption from the Australian Border Force. Transit times of less than 72 hours do not require an exemption
- Any passenger whose transit is greater than eight (8) hours will be directed to quarantine in a designated hotel for the duration of their transit. Quarantines of greater than 24 hours or more will be billed to the traveller
- See Australia Home Affairs for authoritative information
ACTIONS TO TAKE:
- If you intend to depart Vanuatu on the above-referenced flights, register your interest with Vanuatu’s Department of Foreign Affairs.
- Consult directly Air Vanuatu, with other airlines, and/or with a travel agent to find commercial options and make reservations to the United States or another final destination, as applicable
- If your itinerary transits New Zealand, obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization, and note that you must complete your transit in less than 24 hours and you are not allowed to leave the airport
- If your itinerary requires a transit time in Australia of more than eight hours and you do not already have and ETA or valid visa, obtain a Subclass 771 transit visa
- If your itinerary transits Australia and you cannot complete your transfer within an 72 hour window, obtain an exemption from the Australian Border Force in advance of your travel based on a confirmed reservation
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu
ASSISTANCE:
U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Phone number: +675 308 2100
Email address: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usembassyportmoresby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/usembassypom?lang=en
U.S. Consular Agency in Honiara, Solomon Islands
Phone number: + 677 27429 or + 677 74 94731
Email address: us_consular@usconsular.com.sb and keithieusa@usconsular.com.sb
U.S. State Department – Consular Affairs
+1 888 407 4747 or +1 202 501 4444
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