Vanuatu authorities are considering revoking Andrew Tate’s citizenship after it was revealed that he acquired a golden passport at around the same time as his 2022 arrest in Romania for rape and human trafficking. Tate acquired citizenship under a fast-track scheme for those who invest at least $130,000 (£96,000) in the tiny Pacific archipelago.
The scheme has raised security concerns, and led the European Union to revoke Vanuatu’s visa-free privilege in late 2024. A Vanuatu government spokesman said authorities were “definitely looking into” Tate’s citizenship. “Once we have the files, definitely, the processes will be in place to revoke his citizenship,” Kiery Manassah submitted.
The government does not want to encourage people of questionable backgrounds to be granted citizenship. “Those who are wanted by their countries or who are investigated by police authorities from overseas are not welcome to be part of the citizens of Vanuatu,” Manassah added.
Passports-for-sale or citizenship by investment schemes are a source of income for countries like Vanuatu. However, they have also been abused by organised crime suspects, oligarchs, and even intelligence agents, said Aubrey Belford, Pacific lead editor at OCCRP. “It’s caused a lot of alarm because it’s one of those loopholes that allows people to get a new passport or even a new identity and be able to evade law enforcement,”
Vanuatu granted Tate citizenship in December 2022, the same month he and his brother Tristan were arrested in Romania. Vanuatu does not have a formal extradition treaty with Romania, making it unclear whether Tate will face extradition. The UK is also seeking their extradition from Romania after they were charged with rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking.
Vanuatu’s move to revoke Andrew Tate’s citizenship highlights concerns over the country’s “golden passport” scheme, which has been criticized for allowing individuals with questionable backgrounds to acquire citizenship and potentially evade law enforcement.