Vanuatu’s stance on Andrew Tate’s citizenship is clear: it is secure, based on initial compliance with all regulations at the time of his application. This definitive position ensures that the controversial influencer will retain his status as a Vanuatu national, despite widespread calls for its revocation. The government’s decision is rooted in the legality of the original grant.
Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah explained that the citizenship office’s review confirmed that Tate had received clearances from Interpol and the UK when his citizenship was granted. This adherence to established international checks during the initial vetting process validates the original grant and provides no immediate grounds for revocation.
Manassah conceded that if the government had been fully aware of the allegations against Tate when he first applied, the outcome would have been different. He expressed regret for this oversight but stressed that current laws do not allow for the arbitrary revocation of citizenship based on information that emerged after the fact.
In light of this situation, Vanuatu’s government is actively pursuing reforms to its citizenship-by-investment program. Manassah confirmed that new regulations are being signed off to strengthen due diligence, aiming to prevent similar incidents and to improve the program’s “very bad reputation overseas” by implementing more stringent vetting procedures.