Fiji’s Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto, has recently addressed the passport shortages that have affected many citizens, offering a sincere apology and announcing comprehensive plans to resolve the backlog by next month. During the ongoing National Budget debate, he revealed that 100,000 new passports have begun arriving in the country, with the first batch received last week, and 25,000 more expected by the end of this month.
To alleviate the complications caused by the passport crisis, Mr. Naupoto stated that the Immigration Department will extend its office hours to 8 PM when the additional passports are available. The goal is to process all outstanding applications by the end of August and restore passport processing services to normalcy, following recent disruptions.
Alongside this initiative, the Minister also detailed plans to improve processing times: routine passport applications will reduce from 15 to 10 working days, while urgent requests will now take 2 working days instead of 3. The budget includes a significant allocation of $5 million for the acquisition of an additional 200,000 blank passport books to prevent future shortages.
Addressing the broader issues in immigration processing, Mr. Naupoto confirmed that the Immigration Department has recently cleared a backlog of 31,144 permit applications due to system integration problems when new processes were introduced. Presently, he noted that 6,831 of the remaining applications that required extensive processing had been completed by Tuesday morning, with efforts underway to finalize the remaining 3,012 applications by the end of this month.
In a progressive development, Fiji citizens with valid e-passports now have the opportunity to use Australia’s SmartGate system at all international airports, which enhances their travel experience by providing quicker processing times. Minister Naupoto highlighted that this move speaks to Australia’s confidence in the security of Fiji’s passports and reflects ongoing discussions about establishing similar systems with New Zealand and other major travel destinations.
These announcements signal a hopeful trajectory for the Fijian immigration system, showcasing the government’s commitment to tackling existing challenges and enhancing the overall travel experience for citizens. As the measures implemented continue to take effect, Fijians can look forward to a more efficient and responsive immigration service and smoother travel opportunities in the future.
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