The Republic of Fiji is a very popular holiday destination in the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful beaches, a clear sea and amazing ecology have been attracting tourists to Fiji for many years. As well as abundant natural resources, Fiji boasts one of the most developed economies in the Pacific region, which is also appealing to investors. Some foreigners are interested in becoming Fijian citizens or obtaining dual citizenship here. Read on to find out how to get a Fijian passport.
Benefits of Fijian Citizenship
In addition to the agreeable climate and numerous resort options, Fijian passport holders are eligible for other benefits. The living standards in Fiji are high. The country has well-developed utility and transport systems, as well as high-quality healthcare. Fiji lies on the crossroads of various trade routes between Asia, Australia, and America, which offers additional economic opportunities.
The government of Fiji welcomes foreign investment and offers tax breaks and other benefits to investors. You can register your foreign investment project in no time in Fiji. Furthermore, if a foreign company opens its headquarters in Fiji, the corporate tax rate is lower, only 17%.
However, Fijian citizenship might not be the best option for travelling abroad. The Henley Passport Index ranks Fiji 63rd as its passport holders only enjoy visa-free entry to 88 countries.
Yasawa Islands. Photo: Nicolas Weldingh (Unsplash)
Who Can Automatically Receive Fijian Citizenship
The Citizenship of Fiji Act, which entered into force from 10 April 2009, clearly describes all the criteria that must be met to get a Fijian passport. By default, people are considered Fijian citizens if they fall into one of the categories below.
- Children born in Fiji before 1990 or after 1997 to either Fijian or foreign citizens.
- Children born between 1990 and 1997 to a family with at least one Fijian parent.
According to the Act, children abandoned and found in Fiji automatically become Fijian citizens as if they had been born here.
Who Is Eligible for Fijian Citizenship
An applicant is eligible for Fijian citizenship through registration if included in one of the categories listed below:
- children adopted by Fijian parents;
- minors born abroad to a family with at least one Fijian parent;
- children at the age of 18 or over who were born abroad to a family with at least one Fijian parent and have lived in Fiji for at least three out of five years preceding the application for citizenship;
- the spouses of Fijian citizens who have lived in the country for three or more years out of the five years preceding the application;
- foreign citizens who have lived in Fiji for at least five out of ten years preceding the application for citizenship (their children are also eligible). People in this category can get a Fijian passport through naturalisation. This process involves several stages which we describe below.
Receipt of a Resident Card
This is the first step on your route to Fijian citizenship through naturalisation. You can get a residence permit in various ways.
Employment. Foreigners who received an employment offer from a local employer can get a resident card subject to government approval. A work permit can be issued for a short period (up to 12 months) or a longer period (over 12 months). If you start working for a different employer, you will have to apply for a new work permit as the permit is issued for the employer that hired you. In addition, the employer must offer an insurance deposit to cover the employee’s return flight.
Education. Students of Fijian universities or colleges also get a residence permit. The requirements will vary depending on the length of your study programme. If it lasts less than 12 months, you will have to present a return ticket. If the programme is more than 12 months, you must pay a deposit.
Photo: Rusiate Baleilevuka (Unsplash)
Confirmation of Your Income. Wealthy foreigners can become residents of Fiji if they can prove that they have a stable income which is sufficient to support their lifestyle and their dependents. We present here the main requirements:
- The main applicant has a stable income and may not work for a Fijian employer.
- The main applicant has medical insurance.
- The applicant must put FJD 100,000 (USD 44,278) on a deposit account at a local bank (if the application is approved). This money can be used to buy local goods and service.
- If the applicant buys real estate in Fiji, the deposit is not taxed. However, in this case the applicant must provide documents which confirm the purchase and value of the property.
- If the foreigner is applying for resident status together with family members, the main applicant must add additional funds to their local deposit account annually: FJD 30,000 (USD 13,283) to their deposit account for a family of two people or FJD 40,000 (USD 17,711) for a family of five.
- To repatriate the funds, residents must get a permit from the Department of Immigration and the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
Investments. Foreign investors can get a residence permit for investing money in various sectors of the Fijian economy
Unfortunately, you cannot obtain Fijian citizenship directly through investments. At first, the investor must become a resident, and then undergo the naturalisation process and get a passport. Foreign investors who want to become Fijian residents must submit an application with the proposed amount of the investment to the Fiji Trade and Investment Board. Subsequently, they can get a residence permit for three or seven years.
- A three-year resident permit is granted for investments of FJD 50,000 (USD 22,139).
- A seven-year resident permit is granted for investments of FJD 250,000 (USD 110,695).
In both instances investors must submit the following documents:
- a letter on the approval of the investments issued by the Fiji Trade and Investment Board
- a certified copy of the foreign investment certificate
- an application duly completed based on the official form issued by the Immigration Department
- a certified copy of the applicant’s ID or passport (the page with personal data)
- police clearance certificates from the applicant’s home country or the countries where they resided for a year or more over the past 10 years
- the medical certificates issued no more than three months before the application
On the expiry of the residence permit, you can extend it an unlimited number of times provided that you continue staying in the country on the same basis.
Naturalisation
To be eligible for naturalisation, a foreign citizen must spend at least five out of the ten years preceding the application in Fiji. During this time, the expat must learn one of the local languages (English, Hindi, or Fijian), prove their reliability and their intention to live in Fiji. Once you meet the required minimum residency period in Fiji, you can apply for citizenship.
Application for Citizenship
When you apply, you must complete a special form and attach a package of the following documents:
- two passport-sized photos
- a notarised copy of your birth certificate
- a completed form of the oath of allegiance
- a police clearance certificate for the last 12 months from the country of your current citizenship or residency (not required if you live and work in Fiji)
- a report from the local police if you have been in Fiji for the last 12 months
Unfortunately, the Immigration Department does not provide on its website any more details on the required documents. You should contact the department directly to get the full list.
It tends to be expensive and take a long time to obtain Fijian citizenship. The whole process takes about nine months and costs USD 5,000.
Photo: Jakob Owens (Unsplash)
Dual Citizenship in Fiji
The Republic of Fiji has been recognising dual citizenship since 2009. Any foreigner can apply for a Fijian passport, including individuals who lost their local citizenship due to the receipt of the passport of another country.
In a Nutshell
Naturalisation is the main way of becoming a Fijian citizen. However, first of all you need to get a residence permit. You can obtain a permit if you work, study, or invest in Fiji and also if you are a wealthy applicant. In any case, foreigners must spend a long time in Fiji before they are eligible for Fijian citizenship.
Cover photo: Leleuvia Island. Josaia Cakacaka (Unsplash)
