Direct immigration and border control services now available in Torba Province, enhancing access for locals and international visitors.
A new immigration office was officially launched in Sola. The Director for the Department of Immigration and passport services, Mr. Jeffrey Markson, told VBTC News that having a dedicated office and border control officer in Sola is essential, as Torba Province serves as one of Vanuatu’s international ports of call.
“Our office here won’t just handle passports; the border control officer can also perform clearance for any yacht or ship entering Torba’s waters. This setup will allow vessels to complete clearance processes directly in Sola, instead of going to Santo first,” Mr. Markson explained.
Previously, tourists traveling by yacht to Torba had to clear customs in Santo before proceeding to Torba. Director Maxson noted that the new system improves security by enabling border checks directly in Torba, eliminating the need for tourists to travel back to Santo for clearance.
The office also aims to assist foreign visitors stranded in Torba. “If a tourist in Torba needs to renew their visa due to an expired one, they can now access these services locally through the new immigration office,” Mr. Markson added. In addition, residents of Torba Province can now easily access immigration services within their province.
The assigned officer has undergone comprehensive training in visas, compliance, border control, and passports. The new office offers all the immigration services available in Port Vila, equipped with the necessary resources and system access.
