Not Welcome: Vanuatu May Revoke Andrew Tate’s Fast-Tracked Citizenship. Here's Why

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Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 17:23 IST

Andrew Tate acquired Vanuatu citizenship in December 2022 through an investment-based fast-track program.

Vanuatu announced that they are examining the possibility of revoking influencer Andrew Tate’s citizenship, after revelations that he obtained a so-called “golden passport" around the time of his 2022 arrest in Romania on serious criminal charges.

The controversial online figure, who has openly described himself as a misogynist, acquired Vanuatu citizenship in December 2022 through an investment-based fast-track program. The scheme, which offers citizenship in exchange for a minimum investment of $130,000, has been criticized for lax background checks and misuse by criminal elements.

Kiery Manassah, a spokesperson for the Vanuatu government, told ABC News that officials are “definitely looking into" the case.

“Once we have the files, definitely, the processes will be in place to revoke his citizenship. The government does not want to encourage people of questionable backgrounds to be granted citizenship," he said.

Vanuatu Golden Passport Program Sparks EU Concern

Vanuatu’s “passports-for-sale" scheme has long been a source of income for the island nation but has attracted controversy over national security risks. In late 2024, the European Union revoked Vanuatu’s visa-free access due to concerns over the program’s abuse by criminals, oligarchs, and even foreign intelligence operatives.

Andrew Tate’s Citizenship Timing Raises Red Flags

The timing of Andrew Tate’s citizenship- awarded the same month he and his brother Tristan were arrested in Romania on charges of rape and human trafficking- raised eyebrows. Romania and Vanuatu do not have a formal extradition treaty. It remains unclear whether Tristan Tate also obtained Vanuatu citizenship.

The Tate brothers, who were born in the US and later moved to the UK, deny any wrongdoing. However, UK authorities are also seeking their extradition on separate charges, including rape, human trafficking, and actual bodily harm, relating to incidents between 2012 and 2015.

Romanian courts have ruled that extradition to the UK could proceed after any domestic legal proceedings are concluded.