Nearly one-third of Tuvalu citizens seek to live in Australia on climate visa
The Japan TimesThursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:59:00 AM
Nearly a third of Tuvalu’s small population—around 3,500 people—has applied for a special Australian visa designed for climate-displaced Pacific Islanders. The program, which offers residency and work rights, is being seen as a groundbreaking move to address the growing crisis of people forced to leave their homes due to rising seas and extreme weather.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another immigration policy—it’s a glimpse into the future. As low-lying nations like Tuvalu face existential threats from climate change, traditional ideas about borders and citizenship are being tested. Australia’s visa program could set a precedent for how wealthy countries respond to climate refugees, a group that’s only going to grow. It’s also a stark reminder that for some communities, climate change isn’t a distant worry—it’s already rewriting lives.
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