Work and Travel in Tuvalu

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN TUVALU FOR TRAVELLERS

Half way between Australia and Hawaii, you’ll find the Pacific paradise of Tuvalu. Many people dream to travel in Tuvalu, but few make it a reality. Rather than stopping by on your way elsewhere, why not turn this into a chance to challenge yourself.

Work and travel in Tuvalu can be highly rewarding. It can give you the chance to make a difference and sample one of the most remote nations on Earth.

This travel guide to Tuvalu is going to show you everything you need to know about how you can gain new skills and help the people of this nation.

1. Protect Sharks in Tuvalu

The Funafuti Conservation Area around Tuvalu is designed to protect the sharks of the area. The South Pacific is home to a great many species of shark, many of which are under threat from poaching and overdevelopment.

You can help protect these creatures by joining a conservation project in Tuvalu. You’ll be working with the sharks and their environment. This could improve patrolling the area, alongside specialist teams, or aiding scientists as they study the sharks.

It’s a great option for work in Tuvalu because there are few other places on the planet where you can find these projects.

2. Help Study Climate Change in Tuvalu

Tuvalu is one of the most threatened nations in the world. The majority of the country is barely two metres above sea level. Should climate change continue its relentless pace, Tuvalu will be one of the first countries to disappear completely. As pioneers in promoting the study of climate change, you’ll find lots of volunteering opportunities in Tuvalu in this sector.

You may be helping scientists to examine the effects of climate change on the country. You may be helping to promote awareness of climate change.

If you’re passionate about helping the world transition into the future, this is a small way in which you can do it.

3. Become a Volunteer Teacher in Tuvalu

The people of Tuvalu have few opportunities. The issue is the education system and the lack of resources the country has. That’s why teachers are always welcome in the country.

Plenty of backpackers who want to work in Tuvalu decide to partake in the education sector. Even if you’re not an experienced teacher, you can still find work as an assistant.

There’s nothing more rewarding than working with younger children and teaching them how to read, write, and perform basic sums.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR TUVALU

Tuvalu has no such thing as a formal visa for entry. Every country in the world is able to visit Tuvalu for a short period of time without a visa. There are differences as to whether you need to fill out some forms or pay a fee, though.

To start with, all European Union (EU) countries are entitled to visit the country without filling in any forms. The UK and South Korea can also stay for 90 days with a visa-on-arrival. What makes them special is they don’t need to pay for this visa.

Every other country can stay for 90 days with a visa-on-arrival, but they need to pay $100 AUD to get it.

In theory, it’s possible to extend your visa for longer than this when you’re there, but there are few reports of this being successful when you’re already in the country.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN TUVALU

SPRING WORK

Tuvalu is hot and humid throughout the year. Spring happens to be one of the cooler parts of the year. Consider taking up outdoor projects during spring.

Working with sharks and helping to clean up the coastlines are two fantastic options for work in Tuvalu. You can also involve yourself in construction projects. Many of these focus on the rural areas, but they can also involve reconstructing the limited infrastructure of the island.

SUMMER JOBS

The summer season is the main tourist season. This is the second half of the cool season and you’ll spot plenty of tourists visiting the island.

It’s possible to work in the tourist industry. You can support locals in learning IT skills and building up their skills base, so they’re better able to create a life for themselves.

You should also refer back to the ‘Spring’ section for more information on what you can do during the summer.

AUTUMN

Autumn is the shoulder season, so expect high winds and rainfall periodically. It’s still possible to work outside, but we recommend looking for options that won’t be cancelled due to bad weather.

Educational projects are always popular for work and travel in Tuvalu. You’ll typically require qualifications to work on a more formal basis. However, you can easily find work as a private tutor. If you ask around, this sort of work isn’t difficult to come across during your stay.

Some visitors also decide to get involved in community engagement projects. These are all about improving the community and helping young people better prepare for the future. It’s a fantastic way to make real connections with the locals.

WINTER

The winter season is the middle of the rainy season and is the worst time to take up volunteering opportunities in Tuvalu. The weather can be terrible and natural disasters are possible, mainly as a result of tropical cyclones sweeping across the Pacific.

You should refer back to the ‘Autumn’ section if do happen to travel in Tuvalu during winter.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN TUVALU

Like other pacific nations, Tuvalu is proud of its culture. As long as you respect the culture of the island, you’ll have no problems working or volunteering here. Most people on Tuvalu are extremely friendly and are always eager to meet visitors from the other side of the world.

Just beware that it’s not uncommon for local people to embrace conservative values. Female travellers, in particular, should take care to respect these to avoid encountering problems.

Are you ready to work and travel in Tuvalu?