The Immigration Minister, Viliame Naupoto, has announced that approximately 100,000 new passports are expected to arrive in the country by May. This announcement comes as the Immigration Department has placed a temporary cap on passport applications due to high demand. Currently, all available slots for online passport applications are fully booked until March 28, making it impossible for individuals to secure new appointments through the online system.
To address the urgent needs of those requiring a passport, Mr. Naupoto highlighted that specific criteria for expedited processing have been communicated in previous notices. “We are working on that; it’s just that people who really need to travel for emergencies can travel,” he stated, indicating the minister’s commitment to facilitating essential travel while managing demand.
Individuals who need to make an urgent appointment must submit a formal request to the Director of Immigration, with approvals generally reserved for circumstances such as medical emergencies, study, or work-related travel. Additionally, the department has revealed that appointment slots for dates beyond March 28, 2025, have been disabled for booking.
The normal passport application process is anticipated to resume in June 2025, at which time it is expected that the backlog will be addressed with the influx of new passports.
Positive steps are being taken by the Immigration Department to manage the situation, and the arrival of new passports in May offers hope for individuals waiting to secure their travel documents. The urgency of this matter underscores the importance of having accessible and timely immigration services, especially as global travel needs rise.
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