The printing of passports has been temporarily halted due to a malfunction in the Immigration Department’s printing machine. Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed the situation, stating that technical difficulties have disrupted the production of all passports, including those needed for emergency applications.

“There is definitely an issue with the passport printing machine, which has caused a glitch preventing many passports from being printed,” said Mr. Rabuka. This disruption follows previous reports from August, when the Immigration Department first announced challenges with the passport printers. At that time, the then permanent secretary for Immigration, Mason Smith, also acknowledged the ongoing technical problems, expressing gratitude for the public’s patience during the inconvenience.

As a result of the suspension, many citizens and residents are currently unable to obtain new or renewed passports. The government has urged the public to remain patient as they work to resolve the situation. Unfortunately, the Immigration Department has not specified a timeline for when printing services will resume, leaving many in anticipation of further updates.

In these challenging times, it’s important for the public to remain hopeful. The government has proven willing to address these issues, and with a commitment to restoring services, citizens can look forward to a resolution that will enable them to receive their passports in due course. Hopefully, the department will be able to implement effective solutions and restore normal operations soon, minimizing disruptions for those in need of travel documents.