From Vanuatu to New Caledonia

How it works

from JoeUser Forums
Here’s a comment I got from Dr Guy on my last article where I mentioned I had a ton of paper work that needed to be done in order to be able to move from Vanuatu (where I currently live) to New Caledonia, where my parents live:
IG, sorry for the red tape (seems that is the only product a government can really produce!). I gather that you have dual citizenship?
Your article actually put a lot of questions in my mind. I think most of the people here at JU (with a few exceptions in Australia perhaps), know where you live and a very brief history of the Area (centering around WWII battles), but are completely clueless about the politics of Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
SO the short question is, why cant you use your Vanuatu Passport?
But the longer question is, and should you chose to accept this assignment, this blog will self destruct in 30 seconds....
Wait! Sorry, that the wrong movie.
Any way, the longer question is how are things structured down there as far as moving from Island to Island on both travel and residency? I would really enjoy reading more about the area, and how things work. I know that is a tall request, so I leave it up to you.
Best of luck with the bureaucrats!To answer the short question, let me use a short answer: it would be illegal, heh. To be able to work in New Caledonia legally if I decided to keep my Vanuatu passport it would be a hell of a lot of hassle. I would need to obtain a residency card and apply for a work permit. You see New Caledonia is a French Territory, so they work with most of the French laws. Anyway, the whole process would take a year or so to complete. So it’s easier to just recover my French passport and citizenship and voilà, I’m legal!

As for the longer question, hum lets use a map. Here you can see Vanuatu and New Caledonia not a long way away at all. Except they are two different archipelagos or in other word different countries.

There are approx. 85 islands in Vanuatu, and moving from one to another isn’t a problem in the matters of paper work. Just the same as moving from New York to Los Angeles, lol!!

So I’m not sure if I’ve answered your questions properly DrGuy. But I hope it makes things a bit more clear for you :)
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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nouméa = Capital of New Caledonia
Port Vila = Capital of Vanuatu

Sorry about the map, it's the best one I could find...
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Your so close to me!
When you coming to visit IG? Sydney that is..
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Your so close to me!

Yeah baby!

When you coming to visit IG? Sydney that is..

You're in Sydney?? I thought you were at Banora Point! Heh, k i must have been confused!
Well i was supposed to go to Brisbane in December with a friend. But since i'm moving to New Caledonia i guess this year wont be possible
If I get a job, i'll try my best to come over next year!!!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
If I get a job, i'll try my best to come over next year!!!


No if..When

That would be fantasic!!!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Yes and no.  Is Vanuatu a sovereign nation, or a territory like New Caledonia? (And hence why you can use a French Passport in both places).

Thanks for the lesson, as all information is gladly read and accepted.  So anything you want to post on your homeland, or the south Pacific is ravenously sioaked up!

BTW, I did not realize New Zealand was actually south of Australia.  I always thought it was kind of northeast of it.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
This definately makes things a little clearer in my head of where you're situated IG! While you may need a passport or legal documents because you're going to another country, New York to Los Angeles only requires a passport (not necessary but good to have)because it makes travelling a lot easier since the terrorist attacks.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
No if..When

Hehe, Ok ok, WHEN I come over.... lol
That would be fantasic!!!

I know!!! BTW, I wont be coming over in winter, HELL NO! Last time I went to Sydney was in August and even getting in bed was awful as the bed sheets were so cold!!! It will be January or December, but no June July August! No way!

DrGuy:
Yes and no. Is Vanuatu a sovereign nation, or a territory like New Caledonia? (And hence why you can use a French Passport in both places).

Ah ok. Vanuatu is a sovereign country since its independence in 1980. This year we're celebrating the Jubilee anniversary. Before independance it was a condominium, the only territory that was French AND English at the same time. Apparently both countries claimed the archipelago would be theirs and finally agreed to share it. I was born after independance, but I hear from the older generations that it was pretty cool having the French and English always try to outdo the other in schools and infrastructures like hospitals and police departments, etc, etc.
New Caledonia has chosen not to be independant just yet. And i think it is really smart. France pays most of their expenses and they know it.
So yep, they're totally different countries today. Before the New Hebrides independance (Vanuatu today) they could travel from one territory to the other with no problems.

Thanks for the lesson, as all information is gladly read and accepted. So anything you want to post on your homeland, or the south Pacific is ravenously sioaked up!

I'll keep this in mind DrGuy
BTW, I did not realize New Zealand was actually south of Australia. I always thought it was kind of northeast of it.

Hehe, not such a bad idea to post a map hey?

Foreverserenity:
This definately makes things a little clearer in my head of where you're situated IG!

That's good! I'm realy glad I posted this map!
While you may need a passport or legal documents because you're going to another country, New York to Los Angeles only requires a passport (not necessary but good to have)because it makes travelling a lot easier since the terrorist attacks.

Aah, sorry I forgot about that. Not a very good example i suppose... It's just that we live so far away from this kinds of worries you know, it's easy to forget about it...
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Ah ok. Vanuatu is a sovereign country since its independence in 1980. This year we're celebrating the Jubilee anniversary. Before independance it was a condominium, the only territory that was French AND English at the same time. Apparently both countries claimed the archipelago would be theirs and finally agreed to share it. I was born after independance, but I hear from the older generations that it was pretty cool having the French and English always try to outdo the other in schools and infrastructures like hospitals and police departments, etc, etc.
New Caledonia has chosen not to be independant just yet. And i think it is really smart. France pays most of their expenses and they know it.
So yep, they're totally different countries today. Before the New Hebrides independance (Vanuatu today) they could travel from one territory to the other with no problems.

{Lightbulb}

Now I see!  new Caledonia is the Puerto Rico of France!

Thanks for the explanation as well.  That was very informative.  I guess I could google it, but I like the first person reports better!

Ok, so how goes the French Passport battle?  Keep us up to date. And best of luck!  New caledonia looks big (area wise) in relation to Vanuatu. 

When I retire, can I take your place there?

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
{Lightbulb}

Now I see! new Caledonia is the Puerto Rico of France!

lol! The Puerto Rico of France? Umm, okay (?)

Thanks for the explanation as well. That was very informative. I guess I could google it, but I like the first person reports better!

You're very welcome, i'm glad i could be some help

Ok, so how goes the French Passport battle? Keep us up to date. And best of luck! New caledonia looks big (area wise) in relation to Vanuatu.

The French Passport isnt a worry at all. Only the damn citizenship is! So yeah, even tho they give you a French passport you're still not recognized as French, crazy but true.
New caledonia looks big (area wise) in relation to Vanuatu.

I'd say kind of. Vanuatu is so many little islands it's really big in terms of culture. There are over hundred dialects spoken throughout Vanuatu and each island, and each village on the island has their own traditions even if there are similarities, a little something makes it stand out. New Caledonia is pretty amazing too, but it really is one main land with 5 little islands to visit. Doesnt make it less interesting, but just less 'colourful'? Something like that
When I retire, can I take your place there?

How about we become neighbors instead of swaping places?






Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

lol! The Puerto Rico of France? Umm, okay (?)

Puerto Rico is a Territory of the US.  For the past 30+ years, they have voted on whether to become a state, an independant country or remain a part of the US as is.  They have chose the latter.  Like New Caledonia!

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

How about we become neighbors instead of swaping places?

Well, you are going to have to wait a few years, but sure!  And thanks for the more info on both New Caledonia and Vanuatu!  Fascinating!

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
And thanks for the more info on both New Caledonia and Vanuatu! Fascinating!

you're welcome