• Vanuatu seeks to revoke citizenship granted to Andrew Tate under its 'golden passport' program.
• Tate acquired his passport shortly before his arrest in Romania for serious charges.
• The scheme has faced scrutiny due to concerns over criminal exploitation and inadequate background checks.

The government of Vanuatu is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the citizenship of influencer Andrew Tate, who acquired a 'golden passport' through a scheme allowing foreigners to purchase Vanuatu citizenship for about $130,000. This investigation coincides with Tate's significant legal issues, including **charges of rape, human trafficking, and controlling prostitution**, particularly following his arrest in Romania in December 2022, when he was detained along with his brother, Tristan, according to BBC, SCMP, and Newsweek.

A spokesperson for Vanuatu, Kiery Manassah, noted that Tate's citizenship was a "lapse" in their citizenship-for-sale initiative, promising to implement more stringent background checks to maintain the integrity of the program. He stated, "Once we have the files, definitely, the processes will be in place to revoke his citizenship," while emphasizing that Vanuatu does not welcome people with questionable backgrounds, according to SCMP and Newsweek.

The criminal allegations against Tate have raised concerns about Vanuatu's passport program, with critics stating it has been exploited by organized criminals looking to evade justice. **Aubrey Belford**, an investigative journalist, characterized Vanuatu's citizenship scheme as a potential route for criminals to secure new identities and evade law enforcement, highlighting the urgency for reforms within the program, as reported by BBC and SCMP.

Tate secured his passport around the same time he faced arrest in Romania, prompting Vanuatu to reassess its policy. The European Union has already suspended Vanuatu's visa-free access due to concerns over this loophole, reflecting broader implications for the country's international standing and security protocols, according to Newsweek and SCMP.

With Tate's future increasingly uncertain following **ongoing legal battles in both Romania and the UK**, the process for revoking his citizenship is complex and may not be straightforward. Legal representatives noted that Vanuatu's procedures for cancellation might not initiate until Tate has been proven guilty in a court of law, indicating a potentially lengthy and complicated legal situation ahead, as mentioned by BBC and Newsweek.