Nauru's citizenship program drawing foreigners seeking to flee war zones

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

The worsening global security crisis is prompting citizens from battle-scarred countries to consider a dual-citizenship backup plan, according to the head of Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program.

“Fear and uncertainty for their families are driving people who have never considered a second citizenship to seek out options,” said Edward Clark, the program's CEO.

He noted the escalating Middle East conflict and the continuing war in Ukraine, which he said have triggered anxiety among families facing uncertainty about their security, mobility and long-term options.

Clark said others are seeking to dodge possible military enlistment that may be mandated should their country go to war.

“A second passport may make it easier to get out of their home country in the event of war, and provide a safe place to stay without having to leave after a short period," he said.

Clark reported a surge in inquiries about citizenship by investment, preferably in countries with politically neutral passports, such as Nauru.

“In today’s polarizing geopolitical world, having a secondary, safer passport to travel on can mitigate security threats due to political or religious views," he said.

Launched in 2025, the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program is designed to attract foreign citizens interested in investing in Nauru's sustainable development.

The program offers Nauru citizenship for $105,000 and visa-free travel to 85 countries that are far from conflict zones.

In August last year, Nauru welcomed a German family of four who became the first new citizens under the program.

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Recent applicants for the Nauru program include Americans, Europeans and Middle Easterners, who cited the Pacific region's political neutrality as a key factor in their decision, Clark said.

The citizenship-for-sale program is Nauru's fundraising initiative to finance its plan to move 90 percent of the island’s 12,500-strong population to higher ground and build an entirely new community.

The UN has identified Nauru as the world’s fifth most vulnerable nation to climate and economic shocks.

According to the program information posted on its website, an application can be filed remotely and processed in three to four months from the date of submission, provided the documents are in order. The oath of allegiance may be taken via audio-visual link.

Clark said that due to the program’s strict due diligence requirements, citizenship is not automatically granted.

“The comprehensive financial, police, and third-party checks underpin the integrity of the Nauru program, and these are strong value propositions for many people," he said.

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