The Ministry of Immigration in Fiji has received a shipment of 30,000 new passport books at its Suva headquarters, bringing relief to many awaiting their travel documents. This order is part of a larger plan to procure a total of 100,000 new passports from a supplier in Germany. The remaining 70,000 books are expected to arrive in subsequent months, which will help address the ongoing backlog of applications.
Permanent Secretary for Immigration, Aliki Salusalu, emphasized that the arrival of this initial batch will allow the Department to resume printing passports for applications that have been on hold. To ensure a steady supply, Salusalu also confirmed that the Ministry has started the process of ordering an additional 100,000 passport books.
The new passports are equipped with advanced electronic chips that meet the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, although they now have 32 pages, reduced from the previous edition’s 64 pages. Printing for applications lodged between January 6 and August 2, 2025, has commenced, with around 3,000 passports expected to be ready for collection starting Monday, August 11. Collection hours will run from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a structured collection process in place to minimize congestion.
Salusalu urged applicants to adhere to the official schedule to facilitate orderly collections and reduce wait times at the Immigration Office. For those unable to secure online appointments, manual applications will be accepted from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM as a walk-in option.
This proactive approach aligns with the broader efforts taken by the Fijian government to enhance the immigration process and improve service delivery. By significantly increasing passport stocks and extending office hours, the Ministry aims to not only resolve the current backlog but also restore public confidence in the immigration system.
These developments are promising for Fijians, indicating a commitment to a more efficient and responsive passport application process in the future.
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