More than one-third of the population of Tuvalu has signed up for a pioneering climate visa that would enable them to migrate permanently to Australia. Opened for applications on June 16, this program is anticipated to be significantly oversubscribed, as only 280 visas will be allocated to Tuvalu citizens through a random ballot each year.
The visa initiative has been highlighted by Australia’s foreign affairs department as a groundbreaking measure to address climate-related displacement. Tuvalu, a small Pacific archipelago that stands merely five meters (16 feet) above sea level, ranks among the nations most vulnerable to climate change.
As of June 27, a total of 1,124 applications had been received, representing 4,052 Tuvalu citizens when considering family members. According to the 2022 census, Tuvalu has a total population of 10,643.
Successful applicants for the Pacific Engagement visa will enjoy indefinite permanent residency in Australia. They will also have the freedom to travel in and out of the country. The visa comes with various benefits, including access to Medicare, childcare subsidies, and educational opportunities equivalent to those available to Australian citizens. The application fee for the 2025 ballot is set at A$25 (£11.93, $16.37), with submissions closing on July 18.
This new visa category emerged from the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union, which was established in August 2024. The agreement pledges Australia’s support in protecting Tuvalu against natural disasters, public health crises, and military threats. “For the first time, there is a country that has committed legally to recognize the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate-change-induced sea level rise,” Prime Minister Feleti Teo stated last year. NASA scientists have projected that much of Tuvalu’s land mass and essential infrastructure could be submerged below the current high tide by 2050.