As climate change intensifies, the South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu is facing a sinking crisis. Multiple scientific studies indicate that if global warming trends continue, by 2050, much of Tuvalu's land and key infrastructure will be submerged during high tide.

In response to this crisis, Australia has launched the world’s first ‘climate visa,’ allowing Tuvaluan citizens to apply for permanent residency. Due to limited slots, selection will be determined by a lottery system, and thus far, over one-third of the population has submitted applications.

According to reports, those who obtain this visa will receive indefinite permanent residency rights in Australia, allowing them not only to freely enter and exit Australia but also to access public resources, including inclusion in the national health insurance system, eligibility for childcare subsidies, and access to free or subsidized education and vocational training, akin to the benefits of Australian citizens.

This program opened its first round of applications on June 16 and will close on July 18, with Australia planning to randomly select 280 winners between July 2025 and January 2026. As of June 27, 1,124 applications had been received, totaling 4,052 people when including family members, far exceeding the initial quota, indicating a very high willingness to migrate among Tuvaluans.

Made up of several islands, Tuvalu has an average elevation of only 2 meters. According to the latest official statistics, the population of Tuvalu is about 10,000, making it one of the world’s most vulnerable low-lying island nations. Facing long-standing threats from climate change and rising sea levels, NASA predicts that unless current climate actions change, Tuvalu is likely to become the first territory to lose its sovereignty due to the climate crisis.