<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001348259</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VALIDUS HOLDINGS LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001407193</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Greenberg Jeffrey W.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VALIDUS RE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1790, 48 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM11</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001407620</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AQUILINE CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VALIDUS RE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1790, 48 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM11</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001407693</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AQUILINE HOLDINGS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VALIDUS RE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1790, 48 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM11</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001407619</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AQUILINE HOLDINGS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VALIDUS RE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1790, 48 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM11</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001407696</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AQUILINE HOLDINGS GP INC.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VALIDUS RE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1790, 48 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM11</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>64991.10</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.14</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>64991.10</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>64991.10</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>116503.24</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.14</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>116503.24</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>116503.24</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10019</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10019</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2923708.66</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2923708.66</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These warrants are exercisable at any time prior to their expiration date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These warrants are held by Aquiline Financial Services Fund (Offshore) L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These warrants are held by Aquiline Financial Services Fund L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These warrants are held by Aquiline Capital Partners LLC.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Aquiline Capital Partners LLC is the investment manager of each of Aquiline Financial Services Fund L.P. and Aquiline Financial Services Fund (Offshore) L.P. Aquiline Holdings LLC is the sole member of Aquiline Capital Partners LLC. Aquiline Holdings LP is the sole member of Aquiline Holdings LLC. Aquiline Holdings GP Inc. is the general partner of Aquiline Holdings LP. Jeffrey W. Greenberg is the sole stockholder of Aquiline Holdings GP Inc. and is a managing principal of Aquiline Capital Partners LLC.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Pursuant to Rule 16a-1(a)(2)(ii)(B) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &quot;Act&quot;), each of the Reporting Persons may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities reported herein only to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein. Pursuant to Rule 16a-1(a)(4) under the Act, this filing shall not be deemed an admission that any of the Reporting Persons is, for purposes of Section 16 of the Act or otherwise, the beneficial owner of any securities reported herein in excess of such amount.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jeffrey W. Greenberg: By John Schuster, as his Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Aquiline Capital Partners LLC, By Jeffrey W. Greenberg: By John Schuster, as his Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Aquiline Holdings LLC, By Jeffrey W. Greenberg: By John Schuster, as his Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Aquiline Holdings LP, By Jeffrey W. Greenberg: By John Schuster, as his Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Aquiline Holdings GP Inc., By Jeffrey W. Greenberg: By John Schuster, as his Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
