Overview

• By the July 18 deadline, 8,750 Tuvaluans—about 82% of the 10,643-strong population—submitted applications for Australia’s new climate-asylum program.
• A lottery will award 280 special visas on July 25 in the first of annual selection rounds established under the Falepili agreement.
• Visa recipients gain permanent residency rights in Australia, including access to its health, education and family support services.
• Analysts warn that if application rates persist, Tuvalu’s entire population could relocate to Australia within 40 years.
• Tuvalu’s highest elevation is just five meters above sea level and scientists predict 95% of the country may flood at high tide by 2100.