Tuvalu citizens enter Australian visa lottery as rising oceans swallow island
Published
The entire population of the Pacific Island of Tuvalu could live in Australia within 40 years if demand for a new visa lottery holds. 280 Tuvalu citizens will be granted permanent residency each year as part of a landmark pact. On the last count, 5,157 applications have been made - more than half of the nation's estimated population - the lottery closing today. For some, the offer is bittersweet as their island-home disappears.