The country of Tuvalu in Oceania is disappearing. Its residents can already apply for residency in Australia, but only 280 people per year are granted visas — while the population is around 10,000.

Tuvalu is widely recognized as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly rising sea levels that threaten its very existence. Current data from mid-2025 confirms that Australia has established a special climate visa program under the Falepili Union treaty, which grants up to 280 Tuvaluan residents permanent residency in Australia annually. This program started in 2024 and is designed to provide a legal pathway for Tuvaluans to relocate due to climate impacts.

The population of Tuvalu is approximately 10,000 to 11,000 people, and more than one-third of the population has applied for this visa as of mid-2025. The visa allocation is done via a ballot system due to high demand. This arrangement aims to balance humanitarian support with concerns about brain drain and maintaining Tuvalu’s community integrity.

The claim that only 280 people per year are granted visas while the population is around 10,000 aligns with multiple credible sources reporting on this ongoing migration initiative.