The government of Australia has commited to supporting Tuvalu residents affected by climate change by offering them a special visa for Australia. More than a third of Tuvalu's inhabitants have already applied for this climate visa.
Archipelago threatened by rising sea levels
Tuvalu is one of the countries most threatened by the consequences of global warming. Standing only a few metres above sea level, the archipelago is therefore very exposed to the effects of climate change. Some of the islands are even at risk of being completely submerged in the near future. Scientists predict that Funafuti, the largest island and home to 60 per cent of Tuvalua's population, will be fully submerged by 2050.
The Australian government has made a commitment to support the island's residents. On the one hand, by providing assistance to the country in the event of natural disasters, pandemics or military threats; on the other, by granting asylum to Tuvalu residents. For this purpose, a special climate visa will be introduced. In return for this support, Australia will be able to influence the defence treaties that Tuvalu enters into with other countries.
Climate visa for Australia
Australia has introduced a special climate visa that only Tuvaluans can apply for. This visa allows them to stay and work in Australia permanently. Holders of the climate visa will also get access to Australian healthcare and education. In addition, they are also given the possibility to apply for Australian citizenship. A maximum of 280 visas will be made available annually to Tuvalu residents. This limit should prevent all highly skilled people from leaving the archipelago in a short period of time.
Climate visas will be awarded based on a lottery system. The draw has been open since 16 June 2025. Applicants must be over 18 years old, have the Tuvalu nationality and be born in Tuvalu or have parents or grandparents born in the country. They cannot have acquired this nationality through an investment. The visa is adressed to those in need with no other options. Tuvaluans who are also New Zealand nationals are not eligible for the Australian climate visa. Applications for the visa can be submitted until 18 July 2025.
Huge interest in climate visa
Tuvalu residents have shown a huge interest in the new climate visa. So far, 1124 visa applications have already been submited. In total, 4052 people, which includes the applicant's family members, want to obtain a climate visa. This is more than a third of the archipelago's total population. Tuvalu's ambassador to the United Nations said he was surprised by the large number of people wanting to take part in the draw. It will soon be announced which 280 residents will be selected to emigrate to Australia.
Australia is the only country in the world to make such a climate visa available. While US authorities allow residents of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands to live and work in the United States, these people are given little access to public facilities.