Andrew Tate’s passport is not in jeopardy in Vanuatu, as a government review cleared his acquisition process. This official confirmation ensures that the controversial influencer’s status as a Vanuatu citizen remains secure, despite the significant legal challenges he faces elsewhere. The government’s assessment focused on the legality of the original grant.
Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah stated that the citizenship office thoroughly examined Tate’s documents and found that he was cleared by Interpol and the UK when his citizenship was granted. This adherence to established procedures at the time is the basis for the government’s current decision, indicating no procedural faults.
Manassah acknowledged that if the government had been aware of the serious allegations against Tate during his application, he would not have been granted citizenship. He expressed regret for this oversight but stressed the legal limitations of revoking citizenship based on information that surfaced post-grant.
This incident has prompted Vanuatu to intensify its efforts to reform its citizenship program. The government is committed to implementing enhanced due diligence processes to prevent similar controversies and to improve the program’s reputation, which has faced scrutiny for its past approvals and vetting standards.