REGISTRATION AND MONITORING COMPLIANCE

1.0 Applying for a new foreign investment registration certificate (FIRC)

Applying for a new foreign investment registration certificate is easy, fast and very transparent using our online registry portal allowing you to complete our process of registration and pay online anywhere and anytime provided you have access to internet connection.

• Enter or click on https://registry.investvanuatu.vu and follow the onscreen instructions to create your account
• Make sure you complete all the information requested, especially the mandatory fields with asterisks (*) sign.
• Check - Terms and Conditions section to confirm you agree/accepted to our terms.
• When this form is completed successfully and submitted, you will receive an email requesting email confirmation.
• You can now login with the email address and password you have specified. The system will also automatically send you an email with a link asking you to confirm your account. - note that some features of the system will not be available to you until you confirm your account.

Our friendly staff are always ready to assist you. Drop by or send an email to: Andalaie Narai or Lolleth William

2.0 Monitoring to ensure regulatory compliance

While Vanuatu maintains an openness approach to private sector investment including foreign investment, not all investment are open to foreign investment and compliance with all laws of the country is conditional on all approved foreign investments. Therefore maintaining a friendly, consistent and transparent monitoring approach remains a critical activity for the Agency.

1. Investment activities - We guide and advice foreign investors on what type of investment activities are open, reserved, prohibited and restricted. Our friendly guidance to investors via emails, verbal and telephones have proven to be very effective.
2. Compliance with other laws - Compliance to all applicable laws of the country is conditional to All new foreign investment certificate(FIRC) issued to all investors.
3. Annual reporting of registered investors - It is an obligation by all foreign investors issued with a FIRC to report on how they are progressing their investment plans by filing an annual survey on the 28 of February of each year.
4. Requirement for and effect of registration - A foreign investment must not carry out an investment activity without a valid certificate of registration under the FIA N0. 25 of 2019.

3.0 Awareness Programs

We believe that keeping in touch with our customers on a regular basis is the best way that promotes clear understanding and transparent approaches from both party's obligations and expectations in accordance with the Agency's investment code (FIA N0.25 of 2019).

1. Investment guarantees - We ensure all registered foreign investors are aware of their investments - that they are legally protected by this provision in the Act. This is crucial as not all registered foreign investors are aware of this.
2. Investors obligations - Regular and friendly approaches have been made to reach our registered customers and remind them of their obligations as per the provisions in the FIA N0.25 of 2019.
3. New policies and regulations - Introduction of new policies, legislation and regulations that may affect operations of existing and new investments are inevitable. We keep our customers informed informed whenever changes become effective.
4. Using the online registry portal - This tool has been a game changer for the registration services for the Agency. Registration is now easier and transparent than ever. Our friendly staff regularly work with our customers, showing them how they can use the online registry portal.

4.0 Disseminations of infomation

We make sure our customers are aware of any internal changes including any specific orders by the Minister responsible for investment:

1. Social Media - Like any other promotional agency, VFIPA is taking advantage of this technology to keep in touch with its customers by keeping them abreast with any new processes or other introductions.
2. Booklets and Brochures - The traditional method of getting information to our customers and we make use of this when the need arises.
3. Seminars - A common question that is always asked by public during workshops or public events is - how does VFIPA regulate FDI?
4. Online Registry - All registered FDIs are regularly reminded of their obligations such as the annual survey due date and other compliance issues - making this a very friendly and convenient way of ensuring compliance.

5.0 Site Visitations

While we maintain communications with our customers using verbal and electronic tools, engaging with them by visiting in person on an ad-hoc basis enables us to know more about how their operations are doing, any grievances they have and how we can assist if possible. Such visitations are normally carried in a coordinated approach with other compliance departments.

1. Ad-hoc visit by the VFIPA Team - From time to time, our monitoring staff conduct site visits to selected customers and complemented by a joint visitation from other compliance government departments.