Overview

• Andrew Tate obtained Vanuatu citizenship through a $130,000 investment in December 2022 while detained in Romania on human trafficking and rape allegations.
• Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah confirmed a formal review of Tate’s file with preparations underway to revoke his passport if procedural lapses are confirmed.
• UK prosecutors have authorised 10 charges against Andrew Tate and 11 against his brother Tristan, including rape, human trafficking, actual bodily harm and controlling prostitution for gain.
• The citizenship-by-investment scheme has faced international backlash after the EU and UK removed visa-free travel privileges for Vanuatu passport holders over security concerns.
• Prime Minister Jotham Napat has vowed to overhaul the programme by tightening vetting processes and closing loopholes that allowed individuals with questionable backgrounds to gain citizenship.