Effective date: 22 September 2026

1. Introduction

   These Terms of Service apply when you access or use the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) website, registry systems, payment services and other online services.

   By accessing or using a VFSC online service, registering an account or completing a transaction, you agree to these Terms of Service.

2. VFSC services

   VFSC provides regulatory, registry and public services supporting business and financial activities in Vanuatu.

   These services may include:

   • registration and administration of companies, business names, community companies and charitable associations;
   • financial services licensing and regulation;
   • submission of applications, annual returns, regulatory filings and compliance information;
   • access to public registers, official records and documents;
   • creation and administration of online user accounts; and
   • payment of VFSC fees by credit card, internet banking or another available payment method.

   All services are provided subject to applicable Vanuatu legislation, regulatory requirements and VFSC procedures.

3. Conditions of use

   You must use VFSC websites and online services responsibly and only for lawful purposes.

   You must not:

   • provide false, incomplete or misleading information;
   • access or attempt to access another person’s account without authority;
   • attempt to gain unauthorised access to a VFSC system;
   • interfere with the operation or security of a VFSC service;
   • introduce malicious software or other harmful material;
   • attempt to avoid or bypass security controls; or
   • use a VFSC service for fraudulent or unlawful purposes.

   VFSC may restrict, suspend or terminate access where misuse, suspicious activity, unauthorised access or a security risk is identified.

   VFSC may investigate suspected misuse and refer relevant information to law-enforcement, regulatory or other authorised agencies where appropriate.

4. User accounts

   You must provide accurate and complete information when creating or maintaining a user account.

   You are responsible for:

   • keeping your username and password secure;
   • keeping your contact information up to date;
   • all activity undertaken through your account; and
   • notifying VFSC promptly if you believe your account has been accessed or used without permission.

   If you use a VFSC service on behalf of another person or organisation, you confirm that you are authorised to act for that person or organisation.

5. Information and documents

   You are responsible for ensuring that all information and documents submitted to VFSC are accurate, complete, current and not misleading.

   VFSC may verify your identity, authority and supporting documentation. VFSC may request further information or documents where these are required to process or assess a submission.

   Submission of information, an application, a filing or a payment does not guarantee that an application or service will be accepted, approved or completed.

6. Applications and regulatory services

   All applications and submissions are subject to VFSC review and verification.

   Depending on the applicable legislation and the completeness, accuracy and compliance of the submission, VFSC may approve, reject, return or delay an application or request further information.

   Registered persons and organisations remain responsible for meeting their statutory filing, reporting, renewal and payment obligations. Failure to meet those obligations may result in penalties, enforcement action, suspension, cancellation or removal from a register.

7. Fees and payments

   You must check that the following information is correct before making a payment:

   • the fee or service selected;
   • the person or organisation to which the payment relates;
   • the payment amount; and
   • any payment reference or other information entered.

   You are responsible for errors in the information you submit.

   Payment of a fee does not, by itself, mean that an associated application, registration, licence, filing or other service has been accepted or approved.

   Any processing charge will be displayed before you confirm the payment. Your bank or card issuer may also impose its own charges, including international transaction or currency-conversion charges. These charges are not controlled by VFSC.

8. Credit-card payments

   Credit-card payments are processed securely by an authorised payment service provider.

   VFSC does not collect or store your credit-card number, expiry date or card security code. Card details are provided directly to the payment service provider.

   A credit-card payment is completed only when it has been authorised and a successful payment confirmation has been issued.

   If your payment is declined, you should contact your card issuer or use another available payment method.

9. Internet-banking payments

   If you choose to pay by internet banking, you must:

   • transfer the exact amount shown;
   • use the payment reference provided; and
   • make the transfer within the period stated in the payment instructions.

   An internet-banking payment is not complete until the funds have been received and matched to the relevant payment record.

   Bank processing times may delay confirmation. An incorrect amount or payment reference may also delay allocation of the payment.

10. Receipts and unsuccessful payments

    VFSC will issue a receipt or payment confirmation after a payment has been successfully completed or verified.

    You should retain the receipt for your records.

    If a payment appears to have failed or been interrupted, check your VFSC account and bank or card records before attempting the payment again. Contact VFSC if you are unsure whether the payment was successful.

    VFSC is not responsible for a payment delay or failure caused by:

    • incorrect information supplied by the payer;
    • insufficient funds or refusal by a bank or card issuer;
    • a banking or telecommunications outage; or
    • another matter outside VFSC’s reasonable control.
11. Refunds

    VFSC fees are generally non-refundable once paid because they relate to regulatory processing, assessment and compliance services.

    Refunds may be considered in limited circumstances, including duplicate payments, verified payment-system errors or another circumstance covered by the VFSC Cancellation and Refund Policy.

    A request for a refund does not guarantee that the refund will be approved.

12. Public register information

    Some information submitted to VFSC may be entered in a public register or made available for public inspection where required or permitted by law.

    Information that is publicly available through a VFSC register may be accessed and used by other persons. The handling of personal information that is not part of a public register is described in the VFSC Privacy Policy.

13. Third-party services

    VFSC may use banks, payment processors, hosting providers and other service providers to deliver its online services.

    Your use of a third-party service may also be subject to that provider’s terms and conditions.

    VFSC will take reasonable care when selecting and managing its service providers but cannot guarantee that a third-party system will always be available or free from error.

14. Intellectual property

    Unless otherwise stated, VFSC owns or is authorised to use the content made available through its websites and online services, including text, graphics, documents, system designs and other materials.

    You may use VFSC information and documents for lawful personal, business or regulatory purposes. You must not reproduce, alter, distribute or commercially exploit VFSC content in a misleading or unlawful manner.

    This section does not limit any right to access or use public information provided by applicable law.

15. Availability and security

    VFSC takes reasonable steps to keep its online services secure and available. However, a service may occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, technical problems, communications failures, third-party outages or circumstances beyond VFSC’s reasonable control.

    VFSC does not guarantee that its websites or online services will always be uninterrupted, error-free or available.

    VFSC may temporarily suspend a service where reasonably necessary for maintenance, security or operational reasons.

16. Information and disclaimer

    VFSC aims to ensure that information published through its websites and online services is accurate and current. However, online information is provided for general guidance and does not replace applicable legislation or professional advice.

    If online information is inconsistent with applicable legislation, the legislation prevails.

17. Limitation of liability

    To the extent permitted by law, VFSC is not liable for loss arising from:

    • the unavailability or interruption of an online service;
    • incorrect or incomplete information supplied by a user;
    • unauthorised use of an account resulting from a user’s failure to protect their login information;
    • the operation of a bank, payment processor or other third-party service; or
    • reliance on general information published on a VFSC website.

    Nothing in these Terms excludes any responsibility or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

18. Privacy

    VFSC collects, uses, stores and discloses personal information in accordance with the VFSC Privacy Policy and applicable Vanuatu law.

    By using a VFSC online service, you acknowledge that you have read the VFSC Privacy Policy.

19. Changes to these terms

    VFSC may update these Terms of Service from time to time.

    The current version will be published on the VFSC website and will apply from the effective date shown. Where appropriate, VFSC may notify registered users of a material change.

20. Governing law

    These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the Republic of Vanuatu.

21. Contact VFSC

    For questions about these Terms of Service or a VFSC online service, please contact:

    Vanuatu Financial Services Commission
    Companies House
    PMB 9023
    Rue Bougainville
    Port Vila, Vanuatu

    Email: info@vfsc.vu

    Phone: +678 22247