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A third of Pacific island nation applies for Australian climate change visa -- BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9750vvwxo
Tuvalu is the world's second lowest-lying country
More than a third of Tuvalu citizens have entered the ballot for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia.
Opening for the first intake on 16 June, the influx of registrations could indicate that programme will be hugely oversubscribed, with only 280 visas awarded to Tuvalu citizens from the random ballot each year.
The visa programme has been pegged by the Australia's foreign affairs department as a landmark response to the threat of climate-related displacement.
At just five metres (16ft) above sea level, the tiny Pacific archipelago is one of the most climate-threatened nations in the world.
There have been 1,124 applications submitted to the ballot as of 27 June, which accounts for 4,052 Tuvalu citizens with the inclusion of family members.
The island nation is home to 10,643 people, according to census figures collected in 2022.
If successful, holders of the Pacific Engagement visa will be granted indefinite permanent residency in Australia, with the ability to freely travel in and out of the country.
. . .
Opening for the first intake on 16 June, the influx of registrations could indicate that programme will be hugely oversubscribed, with only 280 visas awarded to Tuvalu citizens from the random ballot each year.
The visa programme has been pegged by the Australia's foreign affairs department as a landmark response to the threat of climate-related displacement.
At just five metres (16ft) above sea level, the tiny Pacific archipelago is one of the most climate-threatened nations in the world.
There have been 1,124 applications submitted to the ballot as of 27 June, which accounts for 4,052 Tuvalu citizens with the inclusion of family members.
The island nation is home to 10,643 people, according to census figures collected in 2022.
Getty Images A very narrow stretch of land is surrounded by shallow turquoise water.Getty Images
If successful, holders of the Pacific Engagement visa will be granted indefinite permanent residency in Australia, with the ability to freely travel in and out of the country.
. . .