A vehicle occupant monitoring apparatus includes an operation determination unit and an output unit. The operation determination unit is configured to process a captured image obtained by an imaging device configured to capture an image of an occupant in a vehicle. The operation determination unit is further configured to determine a non-contact operation provided by the occupant. The output unit is configured to output a control signal associated beforehand with the non-contact operation that is provided by the occupant and that is determined by the operation determination unit.