22 Sep 2003

Niue's Immigration Minister says entry permit legislation is being reviewed

8:31 am on 22 September 2003

Niue's Immigration Minister, Fisa Pihigia, says there are no plans at the moment to alter the visitor permit system.

One permit is valid for thirty days but can be extended for a further two months.

The second type of permit allows a visitor to enter for a period up to three years with a view to applying for permanent residency.

But Mr Pihigia admits the whole immigration legislation is under review

"Whole review of the legislation... to take into account the number of years a person has to stay here in Niue before he or she's eligible to apply for permanent residency.... plus some other amendment that we bring our legislation up to these present modern times"

Mr Pihigia says one of the reasons for the review is that a small number of people have tried to take advantage of the residency permit system to avoid having to return to their country of origin.