Nauru launches citizenship‑by‑investment program to fund climate resilience

The Republic of Nauru has introduced a citizenship‑by‑investment scheme that allows foreign applicants to obtain Nauruan passports in exchange for a financial contribution. The programme, administered with the help of Henley & Partners, charges a contribution of US$90,000 per applicant (discounted from US$115,000) and promises visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to more than 85 destinations, including Singapore and Hong Kong.

Revenue from the scheme is earmarked for climate‑adaptation projects, notably a large‑scale relocation plan that will move the majority of the island’s population and infrastructure to higher ground as sea‑level rise threatens coastal areas. The initiative is part of Nauru’s broader effort to diversify its economy beyond phosphate mining and external aid, creating a more predictable source of funding for long‑term infrastructure and sustainable development.