Nauru Island Is Selling Citizenship for $105,000

In November, following the most recent U.S. presidential election, the number of Google searches for how to “leave the country” increased by 1,514 percent, according to data by VisaGuide.World. But as many quickly learned, moving to another country isn't as easy as it may seem. There's usually a visa process involved, plenty of immigration lawyers in between, and a lengthy wait time before you can obtain that coveted second passport. However, one tiny island nation is hoping to make things a little easier by selling citizenship for $105,000—and it could be the only thing that saves it from climate disaster. 

In 2025, the island country of Nauru, located in the South Pacific between the Solomon Islands and Marshall Islands, launched its new passport scheme, allowing people to purchase citizenship through investment. It's the destination's way of raising as much cash as possible to move many of its 12,000 citizens to higher ground as the coastal areas of the eight-square-mile island are getting ravaged by erosion due to climate change. Additionally, large swaths that were once used to mine phosphate deposits (an ingredient in fertilizer) have both dried up and made some 80 percent of the land uninhabitable, according to The Guardian.

“For Nauru, it is not just about adapting to climate change, but about securing a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come,” David Adeang, the nation's president, shared with AFP. “This is about more than survival. It is about ensuring future generations have a safe, resilient, and sustainable home. We are ready for the journey ahead.”

There is, however, a big catch. Yes, you can buy the passport, but no, you can't actually live there. But according to experts, it may still be worth it. 

“A second passport isn’t just a luxury—it’s a strategic asset. It unlocks greater global mobility, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more destinations,” Armand Arton, the founder of the Passport Index, shared with Travel + Leisure. “While those with powerful passports take seamless travel for granted, millions face bureaucratic, time-consuming hurdles at every border. That’s why residency and citizenship by investment (CBI) programs remain in high demand, offering freedom, security, and new opportunities.” 

As for who the program targets, Arton noted it's a great option for anyone whose passport limits their travel options. “With visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 90 countries, including South Korea and Hong Kong, Nauru citizenship is a strategic upgrade for those with restricted mobility.” 

Kyle Maltz, the COO at Dollar Flight Club, agreed it's a fantastic way to see more of the world if you otherwise can't, but added that this particular visa comes with one other major bonus.

“One of the most unique things about this program is the fact that you're investing in a real-world environmental project that will have a substantial impact for a small community,” he said. “Investing in this project also comes with the benefit of an additional passport/citizenship, which is a cool bonus.”

According to Edward Clark, the head of Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, the passport scheme is already attracting applicants. Clark told the AFP the government is hoping to receive 66 applications this year, but its long-term goal is much higher, with the aim of attracting 500 applicants, which works out to about $52.5 million. “Developing climate-vulnerable countries are disproportionately affected by climate change,” Clark told AFP. “And there is therefore an urgent need to ensure they disproportionately benefit from climate innovation.”