Australia Offers Climate Visa to Tuvalu Residents Facing Rising Seas
Scientists warn that if global warming continues at its current pace, 95% of Tuvalu could be underwater by 2100.
With Tuvalu slowly disappearing beneath rising sea levels, nearly one-third of its population has applied for Australia’s new climate visa, according to Reuters, citing Tuvalu’s UN ambassador Tapugao Falefou.
In 2023, Australia and Tuvalu signed an agreement allowing Tuvaluans to relocate through a special climate visa. The visa grants recipients the right to live, work, and study in Australia, with access to healthcare and education on par with Australian citizens.
So far, 1,124 people have received the visa, while total applications — including family members — number 4,052. Tuvalu’s population is under 11,000. Each year, only 280 visas are issued, with selection done through a lottery system.
Falefou expressed surprise at the number of applicants. Scientists warn that if global warming continues at its current pace, 95% of Tuvalu could be underwater by 2100. Some experts even suggest the islands could become uninhabitable as early as 2050. In a historic move, Tuvalu amended its constitution in 2023 to ensure its statehood continues even if the nation is completely submerged.
