Work visas
Tuvaluan Employment Permit (Permit to Enter and Reside)
The employer-sponsored Permit to Enter and Reside for foreign nationals taking up employment in Tuvalu.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Fees and validity are from the Immigration Regulations 2014; processing times are not published officially. Confirm current fees and any labour-market/work-permit conditions with the Immigration Department.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Tuvalu government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Permit to Enter and Reside — employment (Immigration Act section 8)
- Route type
- Employer-sponsored work / residence permit
- Maximum validity
- Up to 1 year, extendable (see settlement route for repeat-extension limits)
- Fee
- AUD 600 principal + AUD 150 per dependant if lodged outside Tuvalu; AUD 1,200 + AUD 300 per dependant if lodged inside Tuvalu
- Sponsorship
- Employer sponsorship required (Form 5)
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals with a confirmed job offer from a Tuvalu employer
- Their accompanying dependants (who may apply under the accompanying-person purpose)
Requirements
- Application on Form 3, completed in English or Tuvaluan and signed by the applicant
- Passport or certificate of identity and two passport-sized photographs
- Employer sponsorship on Form 5
- Evidence of financial capacity or a sponsorship form (Form 6) from a resident sponsor
- Valid outward-bound ticket or a repatriation bond as required by the Principal Immigration Officer
- If staying more than one year: medical examination (Form 7), radiological examination (Form 8) and police reports from each country lived in for over a year in the past five years
What you can do
- Live and work in Tuvalu for the named employer for the permit's validity
- Apply to extend the permit; a change of employer or ceasing employment can lead to cancellation
How to apply
- Secure a job offer and employer sponsorship (Form 5)
- Complete Form 3 and gather passport, photos, evidence of funds and (if over one year) medical/radiological/police documents
- Pay the prescribed fee under Regulation 7
- Submit to an immigration officer / the Immigration Department for a decision by the Principal Immigration Officer
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.