Nauru has launched a citizenship by investment program offering passports to foreign investors in exchange for financial contributions, Business Insider Africa reported. The small Pacific island nation is offering the passport to help address the threat of rising sea levels.
The program was introduced early last year to generate funding for a large scale relocation plan. That plan aims to move 90 percent of families and infrastructure to higher ground.
A Nauru passport provides visa free entry or visa on arrival access to more than 85 countries. Under the program, applicants must pass a four stage verification process and pay a fee of $90,000 for a single applicant. The price reflects a limited time discount from the standard fee of $115,000.
Funding relocation and security controls
Authorities state that citizenship does not grant passport holders the right to purchase land in Nauru, where land ownership remains restricted. Before approval, applicants must undergo background checks designed to maintain the integrity of the program. Authorities apply strict verification measures and retain the power to revoke citizenship if a person commits serious offenses.
Separately, Antena3.ro previously reported that Papua New Guinea ranks first in the world for linguistic diversity with 843 languages spoken, despite having a population of fewer than 12 million residents.
