The Government has hit Nauru in the South Pacific with new visa rules after saying its citizenship laws pose a ‘significant risk’ to Britain’s borders
The UK has slapped a tiny Pacific island with tough new travel rules – warning its laws pose a “significant risk” to Britain’s borders.
Restrictions on travel from Nauru – formerly known as Pleasant Island – follow the nation’s introduction of a “high risk” citizenship programme. People can gain citizenship to the 8.1 square mile country – the third smallest nation in the world – by investing nearly £78,000 in its Treasury.
This entitles them to visa-free travel to 89 countries, including the UK. It once boasted one of the wealthiest populations in the world due to phosphate, but its economy crashed after prices fell.
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Home Office minister Mike Tapp warned the Commonwealth nation’s policy “poses an unsustainable risk of exploitation” by criminals and said Britain lacks confidence in the island’s vetting.
In a written statement to Parliament he said: “We are taking this action in response to the country’s decision to introduce a new Citizenship by Investment programme. The practice of granting citizenship through investment is inherently high-risk and allows individuals access to a new identity with minimal ties to the issuing jurisdiction.
“Careful consideration of Nauru’s programme has highlighted significant risks to UK border and national security. Its design is particularly vulnerable to misuse and, in its current form, poses an unsustainable risk of exploitation by criminal actors or individuals seeking to circumvent UK immigration controls without genuine intent to comply with UK law.
“Due to the programme set up, we also lack confidence in the legitimacy of any vetting and due diligence processes. This model cannot operate without rapidly escalating the level of risk to the UK border. Therefore, the Government considers it necessary to take action through this Rules change.”
Nauru’s citizenship by investment programme allows over 18s who pass diligence checks to become islanders if they hand over $105,000. This rises to $110,000 if they have up to three dependants, or $115,000 with more than four.
Only those with no criminal record will be considered, Nauru has said. Under the new rules – which come into force at 3pm today – nationals will require a visa to come to the UK. They will also have to get a Direct Airside Transit Visa if they intend to transit via the UK having booked travel to another country.
Nationals of Nauru will no longer be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel to the UK, the Government said. Mr Tapp said there will be a six-week, visa-free transition period for those who already hold an ETA and have a confirmed booking.
The minister added: “The decision to introduce a visa requirement has been taken solely for national and border security reasons. This does not change the importance of our relationship with Nauru, a Commonwealth partner.
“Any decision to change a visa requirement status is not taken lightly. We keep the border and immigration system under regular review to ensure it continues to work in the UK national interest.”
The island’s population is estimated at under 11,000.