Vanuatu’s golden passports

A Guardian investigation has revealed that a scheme allowing foreign nationals to purchase citizenship in Vanuatu saw more than 2,000 people granted “golden passports” – and with it visa-free access to the EU and UK – in 2020. Among them are senior political figures from around the world, as well as several convicted and alleged criminals. While such citizenship schemes are not illegal or unusual, some experts have warned that this system could create a backdoor for criminals to enter the EU, and may encourage illegal operations in the broader Pacific area. Pacific Editor Kate Lyons and freelance reporter Euan Ward speak to Laura Murphy-Oates about how this passport scheme works and how it could be exploited