One in three citizens apply for climate change visa

More than a third of the citizens of Tuvalu entered the ballot for a first climate visa which would allow them to migrate permanently towards Australia.

Opening the first contribution on June 16, the influx of registrations could indicate that the program will be extremely overwritten, with only 280 visas awarded to the citizens of Tuvalu of the random voting bulletin each year.

The Visa program has been set by the Australian Foreign Affairs Department as a historic response to the threat of climate travel.

Only five meters (16 feet) above sea level, the tiny Pacific archipelago is one of the most threatened nations of the climate in the world.

1,124 requests were submitted to the ballot on June 27, which represents 4,052 citizens of Tuvalu with the inclusion of family members.

The island nation houses 10,643 people, according to the census figures collected in 2022.

In the event of success, holders of the Pacific engagement visa will be granted an indefinite permanent residence in Australia, with the ability to travel freely inside and outside the country.

The Visa will also provide Australian support on arrival in the country, such as access to the country’s medication system, childcare grants and the ability to study in schools, university and professional facilities at the same subsidy as Australian citizens.

Entrance to the 2025 ballot costs $ 25 (£ 11.93, $ 16.37) and will close on July 18.

The new visa class was created as part of the Australian Union-Tuvalu Falepili, announced in August 2024, which includes a Canberra commitment to defend the island in the face of natural disasters, public health emergencies and “military assault”.

“For the first time, a country has legally committed to recognizing the future state situation and the sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of the elevation of the sea level induced by the climate,” said Prime Minister Feleti Teo in a statement last year.

NASA scientists predicted that the majority of the land mass and critical infrastructure in Tuvalu will remain below the level of the current high tide by 2050.