Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

Department of Lands, Survey & Records

What you can get done

Land leases, titles and surveys

Apply for a lease, get ministerial consent, search the register, lodge a survey plan or order a valuation certificate.

Go to Department of Lands, Survey & Records VLIMS E-Services Gateway

Department of Water Resources

What you can get done

Water permits and rural water supply

Apply for a water or drilling permit, and find out how water resources are managed and monitored and how rural water supply is delivered.

Go to Department of Water Resources

Geology & Mines Unit

What you can get done

Mining, quarry and drilling licences

Apply for a mineral or quarry licence, ask for geological survey information, or get advice on geohazards.

Go to Geology & Mines Unit

Office of the Valuer General

What you can get done

Land rent, premiums and valuation appeals

Get an independent determination of land rent or premium, lodge a valuation appeal, or check the register of land valuers.

Go to Office of the Valuer General

Corporate Services Unit

What you can get done

Planning, finance, people and technology

The Corporate Services Unit supports every part of the Ministry so services run reliably.

Go to Corporate Services Unit

Ministry Cabinet

What you can get done

Policy direction and oversight

The Minister’s office and the Director General set the Ministry’s policy direction and oversee its work.

Go to Ministry Cabinet

Every unit is listed below, with its own page.

Coming to VLIMS e-Services

Land services are going digital

The Vanuatu Land Information Management System (VLIMS) is being developed under the World Bank-funded VARS Project. The e-Services portal will become a digital front counter for landholders, surveyors, legal practitioners and developers.

  • In developmentOnline applicationsLease creation and transfer, subdivision approval, survey plan lodgment, mortgage registration and valuation requests
  • In developmentApplication trackingA tracking number for every application, with email and SMS updates at each stage
  • In developmentTitle searchesSearch the land register online
  • In developmentOnline paymentCard, Vodafone M-VATU and Digicel MyCash
E-Services Portal · In development About the VARS Project

Looking after Vanuatu's land, minerals and water

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources administers Vanuatu's land, minerals and water. Its role covers most stages of how these resources are used: surveying and mapping the country and maintaining the national cadastre; processing, executing and registering leases and other land dealings; valuing property and acquiring land needed for public projects; regulating the extraction of minerals, aggregate, petroleum and geothermal energy; and working to ensure households across Vanuatu have access to safe drinking water.

The Ministry is led by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Director General, and delivers its services through six units. Each handles a distinct part of land and natural resource administration.

About the Ministry

Ministry Cabinet

Leadership, policy direction and Council of Ministers coordination

Corporate Services Unit

Planning, finance, people and technology across the Ministry. Notices and vacancies are under Procurement & Careers.

MoLNR Cashier

8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Pay official fees only at the Cashier.

Land Records

9:00 – 11:00 am and 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Not sure who to ask?

Send us a message →

⚠️ Beware of fake websites pretending to be official. Always check the domain carefully as official Vanuatu Government sites end with .gov.vu.