Vanuatu authorities are actively investigating the possibility of revoking Andrew Tate’s citizenship following revelations that the controversial influencer acquired a golden passport at approximately the same time as his significant 2022 arrest in Romania. The self-described misogynist influencer faces serious charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania, casting a shadow over his status as a citizen of the tiny Pacific archipelago.
Andrew Tate obtained his Vanuatu citizenship under a fast-track scheme, a citizenship by investment program that requires an investment of at least $130,000 (£96,000) in the nation. This information comes from an investigation conducted by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which exposed the inherent security concerns associated with such schemes. These concerns ultimately led the European Union to revoke Vanuatu’s visa-free privilege in late 2024, citing the risks posed by such programs.
A spokesman for the Vanuatu government, Kiery Manassah, confirmed to ABC News that authorities are “definitely looking into” Tate’s citizenship. Manassah asserted the government’s firm stance: “Once we have the files, definitely, the processes will be in place to revoke his citizenship.” He further clarified that the Vanuatu government “does not want to encourage people of questionable backgrounds to be granted citizenship,” explicitly stating,
“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.”
Passports-for-sale or citizenship by investment schemes are a vital source of income for countries like Vanuatu, but they have also been criticized for being exploited by organized crime suspects, oligarchs, and even intelligence agents, as noted by Aubrey Belford, Pacific lead editor at OCCRP. Belford emphasized to ABC News that these schemes create “loopholes that allow people to get a new passport or even a new identity and be able to evade law enforcement,” posing a significant global security risk.
Andrew Tate’s Arrest and Extradition Implications for Vanuatu Citizenship
Vanuatu granted Andrew Tate citizenship in December 2022. Coincidentally, that very same month, Tate and his brother Tristan Tate were arrested in Romania. Since their arrest, both brothers have largely remained under travel restrictions within Romania as their legal proceedings continue.
A significant aspect of this case is that Vanuatu does not have a formal extradition treaty with Romania, raising questions about the practical implications of Tate’s dual nationality should a request for his transfer arise. It remains unclear at this time whether Tristan Tate also acquired Vanuatu citizenship, a detail that could further complicate any potential legal actions.
