The Fiji Ministry of Immigration has responded to concerns raised by the Fiji Labour Party over persistent passport service delays. Permanent Secretary Aliki Salusalu explained that the current delays are driven by an unprecedented spike in demand and targeted upgrades to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ePassport standards. With 30,000 new upgraded passport booklets now in place, the ministry has launched an around-the-clock clearance plan to process all pending applications by mid-September 2025. To safeguard against future disruptions, enhanced procurement and stock-monitoring systems are being put in place.
In addition, the ministry noted that another 35,000 passport booklets are expected to arrive in October, with a further 35,000 anticipated soon after. To ensure a steady supply, a new batch of 100,000 booklets is being procured. The Ministry also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Finance for expediting payments to support these procurements and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a timely, professional, and transparent passport service to all Fijians.
Context and analysis:
– The announcements align with ongoing efforts to bolster passport stocks and streamline processing, following reports of stock shortages and rising demand.
– The upgrades to ICAO ePassport standards are part of a broader modernization of Fiji’s travel documents, aiming to enhance security and efficiency at entry points.
Key takeaways:
– 30,000 upgraded booklets have arrived, triggering a clearance push to resolve pending applications by September 2025.
– 35,000 booklets due in October, plus another 35,000 soon after, with a total of 100,000 booklets being procured to ensure continuity.
– The plan is supported by financial support from the Ministry of Finance to accelerate procurement and processing improvements.
– The government emphasizes a commitment to timely, professional, and transparent service for all travelers.
Summary:
The Ministry of Immigration is actively addressing passport delays through a mix of new stock arrivals, modernization to ICAO ePassport standards, and increased procurement to prevent future shortages, with a goal of clearing backlogs by mid-September 2025 and restoring smoother service for Fijian travelers.
Positive outlook:
These measures indicate a proactive, multi-pronged approach to stabilizing passport services, improving processing times, and restoring public confidence in Fiji’s immigration system. If the planned stock increases and modernization proceed as outlined, Fijians can look forward to faster, more reliable access to travel documents.
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