Just over a year has passed since Nauru launched its citizenship program, which offers passport in exchange for a non-refundable contribution of US$105,000 to the Nauru treasury fund.
The Same Old Story
On December 9, the UK introduced visa requirements for Nauruan citizens. The rationale for this measure was that Nauru's current citizenship-by-investment program allegedly poses a border security risk. When the UK abolished visa-free travel for Dominica and Vanuatu in July 2023, the rationale was similar.
Now, Nauruan citizens must obtain visitor visas and direct transit visas to travel to the UK.
Transitional Period
Those who already hold Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) with confirmed bookings made no later than December 9 will receive a six-week grace period, provided they arrive in the UK no later than January 20, 2026.
Context
The decision on Nauru is part of a broader Western campaign against citizenship-by-investment programs. As a reminder, in November 2024, the European Union permanently suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu.
In June 2025, EU member states finalized a mechanism for suspending visa-free travel, directly targeting countries implementing citizenship programs "without genuine ties" between investors and host countries.