The Fiji government has launched the first upgrade to the national passport system since it was introduced in 2019, a move officials say will speed up processing, cut waiting times and make passport services more convenient for citizens. Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto announced the upgrade in Parliament on Wednesday, describing the work as overdue but necessary to lift service quality.
“This is the first upgrade since acquiring this passport system in 2019 – it is a little overdue, but it is being done now,” Mr Naupoto told MPs. He said the revamped system will allow applicants to begin the passport enrolment process online from anywhere, even from home, reducing the need for in-person visits and the time people spend queuing at immigration offices.
Under the new arrangements, only first-time passport applicants will be required to book an appointment and visit a nearby immigration office for biometric capture. Renewal applicants will be able to complete their enrolment online and will need to attend an immigration office only to collect their new passport, a change expected to streamline renewals significantly.
Mr Naupoto said the upgrade will “significantly improve the quality and efficiency of our passport service delivery to the public,” but did not provide further technical details or a breakdown of the changes being made behind the scenes. He said the government will make further announcements once the upgrade is completed, setting a target completion date by the end of May 2026.
The announcement frames the upgrade as part of a broader government push to strengthen public services through digital measures, and responds to public demand for more efficient, accessible immigration services. By reducing mandatory in-person visits for renewals and enabling online enrolment, the Immigration Ministry expects to lower the burden on frontline staff and shorten turnaround times for applicants.
While Mr Naupoto gave a clear timeline and the principal features of the new system, specifics such as transition arrangements for applicants currently in the process, any temporary service disruptions during the upgrade, or procurement and technical partners involved were not disclosed in Parliament. The ministry’s pledge to update the public upon completion will be watched closely by travellers and businesses that rely on timely passport issuance.
This upgrade marks the first substantive change to Fiji’s passport processing since the system’s 2019 introduction and represents the latest development in the government’s efforts to modernise core public services. The Immigration Ministry has signalled the reform will be phased in over the coming year, with full rollout aimed for the end of May 2026.
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