More than half of the citizens of Tuvalu have applied for a visa to permanently migrate to Australia.
Just more than a month ago, Australia opened the Falepili Mobility Pathway ballot, a program to provide citizens of the tiny island nation of Tuvalu a permanent migration pathway to Australia.
The country has a population of just 10,643, while at least 5157 of them entered the lottery, more than half of the nation’s people.
This was through 1466 registrations, with many of the people being included as family members on applications.
The ballot, which closed on Friday, randomly selected up to 280 people each year to apply for the visa.
It is open to all Tuvalu citizens, regardless of age, and visa holders do not need to gain employment in Australia before applying.