Pacific nation sells passports at $140,500 for visa-free access to Singapore, Hong Kong

President David Adeang said selling citizenship is intended to fund the relocation of Nauru's approximately 10,000 residents, who face climate-related threats such as rising sea levels. The government projects the scheme could bring in around $5.7 million within a year, Bloomberg reported.

Nauru officials aim to raise $65 million for a development project that includes building new townships, farms and workplaces. Around 90% of the local population would need to be relocated as part of the plan.

"While the world debates climate action, we must take proactive steps to secure our nation's future," Adeang said, as cited by Bloomberg.

At the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November, the chief executive of Nauru's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme, Edward Clark, announced that initial passport applications had been received, the RNZ reported.

Interest reportedly comes from the U.S., the U.K., Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, among others, according to Henley & Partners.

Nauru is among several small island developing states at risk of severe coastal flooding due to rising seas. Data from NASA's Sea Level Change Team suggests annual flood-related costs for nations like Fiji and Jamaica could reach $1.6 billion.

For Nauru, flood threats could disrupt population centers and the island’s only airport, according to Alexei Trundle, associate international director at the Melbourne Center for Cities. He notes the population resides primarily on the island’s fringe, making them particularly vulnerable to storm surges.

Singapore currently allows visa exemption for regular passport holders from 159 countries and territories, while 149 countries and territories are eligible for free-visa access to Hong Kong.