Moving to French Polynesia from Vanuatu

moving to

What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from Vanuatu to French Polynesia — from daily expenses to quality of life.

If you moved from Vanuatu to French Polynesia.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to French Polynesia

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

Real numbers on people moving from Vanuatu to French Polynesia, and how the trend has changed.

Living there in 2020
210

people born in Vanuatu live in French Polynesia · UN DESA

Who's moving to French Polynesia?

Top countries of origin for French Polynesia's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

How Vanuatu and French Polynesia stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

VU
0.3
PF
0.3

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Vanuatu across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Adult obesity rate World Health Organization, 2024

share of adults with obesity

VU
22.6%
PF
49.1%

Vanuatu performs better than French Polynesia across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

VU
0.9t
PF
3.5t

Vanuatu performs better than French Polynesia across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

VU
1.2
PF
35.5
Internet access United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

share of households with internet

VU
69.9%
PF
72.7%

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Vanuatu across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

VU
5.1%
PF
11.7%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

VU
$4,039
PF
$22,440

Vanuatu generally does better on employment & economy, though French Polynesia leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

VU
71.7 yrs
PF
84.2 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

VU
14.4
PF
4.4

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Vanuatu across all family life metrics.

Can you move from Vanuatu to French Polynesia?

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Vanuatu and French Polynesia. To live, work, or study long-term in French Polynesia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check French Polynesia's immigration authority.

Vanuatu passport

Vanuatu passport holder visiting French Polynesia

Visa Required
Vanuatu passport holders need a visa to enter French Polynesia.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from French Polynesia?

With 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, French Polynesia can support video calls in major cities. The hard part is paperwork — visa category, employer policy on overseas staff, and tax residency in Vanuatu and French Polynesia.

Is French Polynesia safe for expats?

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Vanuatu across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in French Polynesia is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.3 in Vanuatu.

How is healthcare in French Polynesia compared to Vanuatu?

Vanuatu performs better than French Polynesia across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What language do they speak in French Polynesia?

The official language in French Polynesia is French. In Vanuatu, the official languages are Bislama, English and French.

Share this

At a Glance

VU PF
Population 335,169 282,465
Currency Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) CFP Franc (CFPF)
Languages Bislama, English, French French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +678 +689
Time zones 1 3