More than a third of Tuvalu’s population has applied for a groundbreaking “climate visa” to migrate to Australia, as the Pacific nation faces an existential threat from rising sea levels.

The surge in applications follows the launch of the Falepili Union treaty between Australia and Tuvalu, which offers a new model for climate mobility as entire communities confront the realities of climate change.

Tuvalu, a nation of about 11,000 people spread across nine low-lying atolls, is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Scientists warn that much of its land could be submerged by 2050 due to rising seas, with some islands already disappearing beneath the waves.

The climate crisis has intensified storms, damaged coral reefs, and contaminated freshwater sources, making daily life increasingly precarious.

WHAT IS CLIMATE VISA?

The Falepili Union, signed in late 2023 and implemented in August 2024, allows up to 280 Tuvaluans each year to move permanently to Australia.

The visa provides access to healthcare, education, and the right to work — benefits on par with Australian citizens.

Notably, applicants do not need a job offer to qualify, and the scheme is open to anyone wishing to live, work, or study in Australia.

Since the visa lottery opened in mid-June, more than 1,100 primary applicants—totaling over 4,000 people including family members—have registered, far exceeding the annual cap.

The high demand reflects both the urgency of Tuvalu’s climate predicament and the opportunity for economic stability, as remittances from migrants could become a lifeline for families remaining on the islands.

While the visa itself does not explicitly mention climate change, the treaty framing it acknowledges the “existential threat” posed by global warming. Experts hail the agreement as the world’s first bilateral climate mobility pact, offering a “pathway for mobility with dignity” as climate impacts worsen.

The Australian government will randomly select successful applicants after the ballot closes on July 18.

As Tuvaluans weigh the difficult decision to leave their ancestral land, the climate visa stands as both a beacon of hope and a stark reminder of the urgent need for global climate action.

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