Vanuatu Not Taking Action on Andrew Tate’s Citizenship

Vanuatu is not taking action on Andrew Tate’s citizenship, finding no fault with how he obtained it. This official stance means the controversial influencer will continue to hold his Vanuatu passport, a decision that has garnered significant public and media attention due to his ongoing legal battles. The government’s decision focuses on the legality of the original grant.
Kiery Manassah stated that the citizenship office’s investigation concluded that Tate’s documents were in order and he had received clearances from Interpol and the UK at the time his citizenship was granted. This procedural correctness is the basis for the government’s current position, indicating that all necessary checks were conducted under the regulations then in force.
Manassah acknowledged that if the government had been aware of the serious allegations against Tate at the outset, his citizenship application would have been rejected. He clearly articulated this regret, stating, “If the government had been aware of this at the start, and our processes were working, we should have not allowed him in the first place.” However, he emphasized that they cannot legally revoke citizenship based on information that emerged after the fact.
The ongoing controversy has spurred Vanuatu to strengthen its citizenship-by-investment program. The government is committed to implementing more robust due diligence processes to prevent future instances of individuals with problematic backgrounds from acquiring citizenship, aiming to restore the program’s credibility and improve its international standing.