Das weltweit erste Klimavisa: Wie Australien die Einwohner von Tuvalu vor der Überflutung rettet

12.08.2025

The world's first climate visa: how Australia is saving Tuvalu residents from flooding

Australia became the first country in the world to launch a 'climate visa' program — a new type of entry permit that is granted not on economic, educational, or humanitarian grounds, but because of the threat of flooding the applicant's country of origin. The first holders of such visas could be residents of the island nation of Tuvalu. According to scientists' forecasts, the islands of this state are threatened with complete disappearance within the next 35 years due to rising sea levels.

Every third resident of Tuvalu has already applied. The program provides for the annual selection of 280 people through a lottery among the citizens and natives of the country, as well as people with special needs. The visa allows moving to Australia on a permanent basis, to work, study, or simply live in safer conditions, without the obligations typical for other types of visas.

Although the program is called a historical precedent, experts emphasize that most residents would still prefer to stay in their homeland. The problem of 'climate migration' also affects other island states, as well as coastal regions that are under the threat of rising ocean levels.

The agreement between Australia and Tuvalu could become a model for future international programs that will help people relocate before a climate disaster makes it inevitable.