One in three citizens apply for climate change visa

Tuvalu is the second lowest country in the world

Getty images were wrapped in a woman with a green pattern, which through deep knee water to reach her home. The house is on the stilts and is surrounded by nonsense. The wash is hanging from the edge of the building, and a small tin ding is upside down next to the building. — Tuvalu is the second lowest country in the world

More than one third of Tuvalu citizens have entered the ballot for world-first climate visa that will allow them to permanently move to Australia.

Opening for the first intake on June 16, the influx of registrations may indicate that the program will be highly overshadd, with only 280 visas to Tuvalu citizens with random ballot every year.

The visa program has been judged as a historical reaction to the threat of climate -related displacement by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department.

Just five meters above sea level, the small Pacific Islands are one of the most climate-dominated countries in the world.

As of 27 June, 1,124 applications have been submitted in the ballot, which are responsible for 4,052 Tuvalu citizens with the inclusion of family members.

According to the census data collected in 2022, the island nation is home to 10,643 people.

A very narrow stretch of the ground is surrounded by shallow turquoise water.

When successful, holders of Pacific Engagement Visa will be provided indefinite permanent residence in Australia, which will have the ability to travel inside and outside the country.

Visa will also provide for Australian support on arrival in the country, such as access to the country’s medicare system, childcare subsidy and ability to study schools, universities and business facilities on similar subsidies as Australian citizens.

The cost of entry into the 2025 ballot is $ 25 (£ 11.93, $ 16.37), and will close on 18 July.

The new class of the visa was formed as part of the Australia-Tuvalu Phalepili Union, which was declared in August 2024, including Canberra to protect the island in front of natural disasters, public health emergencies and “military aggression” by Canberra.

“The first is a country that legally committed to recognizing the future state and sovereignty of Tuvalu, despite the harmful effects of rise in climate change-inspired sea level,” Prime Minister Faleti TO said in a statement last year.

NASA scientists have predicted that most of the land mass and significant infrastructure in Tuvalu will sit below the level of high tide by 2050.