Moving to Tuvalu: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

11,342

Population Growth Rate

0.77%

Urban Population

50.000000

Population in Major Urban Areas

FUNAFUTI (capital) 5,000

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Age Structure

29.320000

Median Age

24.600000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

24

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.97

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

3.06

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

30.5%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

30.5%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-6.92

Ethnic Groups

Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%

Nationality Noun

Tuvaluan(s)

Literacy Definition

NA%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

11.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

65.470000

Infant Mortality Rate

32.610000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

32.610000

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

1.09

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

5.6

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

17.3%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

98.300000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

86.300000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

1.6%

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Economic Overview

Despite its small size and remote location, Tuvalu has a developing economy that relies on a mix of traditional subsistence farming, fishing, and international aid.

Agriculture and fishing are the mainstay of the Tuvaluan economy.

The majority of the population engage in subsistence farming, growing crops such as pulaka, taro, and bananas, as well as fishing for tuna, trevally, and other marine species.

The government has also invested in developing the country's aquaculture industry, which involves farming fish and shellfish in ponds and tanks.

In addition to traditional agriculture and fishing, Tuvalu also relies heavily on international aid.

The country is one of the smallest and poorest nations in the world, with limited natural resources and infrastructure.

As such, it has received significant aid from international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme.

Much of this aid has been directed towards improving access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, as well as developing the country's infrastructure, including roads, airports, and telecommunications networks.

Another important sector of the Tuvaluan economy is the tourism industry.

While the country is not a major tourist destination, it does receive a small number of visitors each year who come to experience the unique culture and natural beauty of the atolls.

The government has invested in developing tourism infrastructure, including the construction of hotels and guesthouses, as well as promoting Tuvalu as an eco-friendly and sustainable travel destination.

Despite its modest economic growth, Tuvalu still faces significant challenges.

The country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased frequency of storms and floods, and saltwater intrusion into the limited freshwater supply.

These challenges threaten the country's food security, infrastructure, and economy, and require significant investments in adaptation and mitigation measures.

Industries

fishing, tourism, copra

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$50,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$3,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$34,000,000 (USD)

GDP by Sector- agriculture

24.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

5.6%

GDP by Sector- services

70%

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Inflation Rate

3.8%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar

Currency Name and Code

Austrlian Dollar (AUD)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Labor Force

3,615

Major Industries

fishing, tourism, copra

Agriculture Products

coconuts; fish

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Labor Force by Occupation - note

people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and through overseas remittances (mostly from workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)

Labor Force by Occupation - note

people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and through overseas remittances (mostly from workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)

Annual Budget

$21,540,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

56.7%

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Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Tuvalu

Local - Long

none

Local - Short

Tuvalu

Former Name

Ellice Islands

Etymology- history of name

"tuvalu" means "group of eight" or "eight standing together" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands

Independence

1 October 1978 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

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Government Type

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Constitution

• history: previous 1978 (at independence); latest effective 1 October 1986
• amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the final reading; amended 2007, 2010, 2013, 2023

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law and local customary law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu FALANI (since 29 August 2021)
• head of government: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala TEO (since 27 February 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister
• elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections
• election results: 2019: Kausea NATANO elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote - 10 to 6

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral House of Assembly or Fale I Fono (16 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 26 January 2024 (next to be held in January 2028)
• Election Results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16; composition as of February 2024 - 16 men, 0 women, percentage women 0%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Appeal judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; High Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; chief justice serves for life; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet after consultation with chief justice; judge tenure set by terms of appointment
• subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; island courts; land courts

Regions or States:

7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu

Political Parties and Leaders:

• there are no political parties, but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: yes citizenship by
• descent: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: na

Capital Name

• Funafuti
• note - the capital is an atoll of some 29 islets
• administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet

Capital - geographic coordinate

8 31 S, 179 13 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• ADB
• AOSIS
• FAO
• IBRD
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFRCS (observer)
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IOC
• ITU
• OPCW
• PIF
• Sparteca
• SPC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UPU
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Tapugao FALEFOU (since 19 April 2023); note - also Permanent Representative to UN
• Chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017
• Telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534
• FAX: [1] (212) 808-4975
• Email: tuvalumission.un@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.un.int/tuvalu/about

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Geographic Location

Oceania

Geographic Coordinates

8 00 S, 178 00 E

Total Area

10 Square Miles 26 Square Kilometers

Land Area

10 Square Miles 26 Square Kilometers

Coastline

15 Miles 24 Kilometers

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Terrain

very low-lying and narrow coral atolls

Highest Point

5 Meters

Highest Point Location

unnamed location 5 m

Lowest Point Location

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

fish

Time Zone

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

• tropical
• moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November)
• westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

Terrain

very low-lying and narrow coral atolls

Location

Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Total Area

10 Square Miles 26 Square Kilometers

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Environment - Current Issues

• since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other)
• beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials
• excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel
• damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish
• Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table
• in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$1,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$12,910,000 (USD)

Major Exports

copra, fish

Major Imports

food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods

Top Export Partners

UK 49.4%, Italy 16.7%, France 9.6%, Fiji 8.3%, Sudan 5.1%

Top Import Partners

Japan 54.2%, Fiji 18%, Australia 13.6%, New Zealand 5.2%, Germany 4.3%

Export Partners

UK 49.4%, Italy 16.7%, France 9.6%, Fiji 8.3%, Sudan 5.1%

Import Partners

Japan 54.2%, Fiji 18%, Australia 13.6%, New Zealand 5.2%, Germany 4.3%

Country Description

Tuvalu is a South Pacific island nation consisting of four reef islands and five atolls.

A self-governing member of the British Commonwealth, Tuvalu has a parliamentary system of government.

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Crime

Tuvalu has a low crime rate.

However, visitors should review their own personal security practices, be alert to any unusual activity around their homes or businesses, and report any suspicious incidents to local police authorities.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Tuvalu, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In Tuvalu, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Tuvalu, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy in Fiji, as soon as you are arrested or detained.

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Medical Facilities

Medical and dental care are very limited in Tuvalu, including in Funafuti, the capital.

Serious medical problems are referred to health professionals and hospitals in Guam or Hawaii.

Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions While in Tuvalu, road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Tuvalu is provided for general reference only and may not be completely accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left in Tuvalu.

The main roads on Funafuti are paved, but other roads on other islands are generally unpaved.

Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous.

For specific information concerning Tuvalu driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Traffic Safety

While in Tuvalu, road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Tuvalu is provided for general reference only and may not be completely accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left in Tuvalu.

The main roads on Funafuti are paved, but other roads on other islands are generally unpaved.

Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous.

For specific information concerning Tuvalu driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Airports - total

1

Roadways- total

5 Miles 8 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Funafuti, Nukufetau

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Telephones

1,700

Cell Phones

1,300

Internet Users

1,300

Internet Country Code

.tv

Internet Hosts

109,478

Broadcast Media

• no TV stations
• many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV stations
• 1 government-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays of programming from international broadcasters

Telephone System

• assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications
• domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands
• international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite

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Anthem Lyrics

"Tuvalu mo te Atua" Ko te Fakavae sili, Ko te alu foki tena, O te manuia katoa; Loto lasi o fai, Tou malo saoloto; Fusi ake katoa Ki te loto alofa; Kae amo fakatasi Ate atu fenua.

"Tuvalu mo te Atua" Ki te se gata mai!

Tuku atu tau pulega Ki te pule mai luga, Kilo tonu ki ou mua Me ko ia e tautai.

"Pule tasi mo ia" Ki te se gata mai, Ko tena mana Ko tou malosi tena.

Pati lima kae kalaga Ulufonu ki te tupu.

"Tuvalu ko tu saoloto" Ki te se gata mai.

Anthem Lyrics English

"Tuvalu for the Almighty" Are the words we hold most dear; For as people or as leaders Of Tuvalu we all share In the knowledge that God Ever rules in heav'n above, And that we in this land Are united in His love.

We build on a sure foundation When we trust in God's great law; "Tuvalu for the Almighty" Be our song for evermore!

Let us trust our lives henceforward To the King to whom we pray, With our eyes fixed firmly on Him He is showing us the way.

"May we reign with Him in glory" Be our song for evermore, for His almighty power Is our strength from shore to shore.

Shout aloud in jubilation To the King Whom we adore.

"Tuvalu free and united" Be our song for evermore!