26 Apr 2018

Thousands granted Fiji citizenship

6:19 am on 26 April 2018

Nearly 4,000 people have been granted Fiji citizenship over the past three and a half years.

Fiji flag

Fiji flag Photo: RNZ

Islands business magazine reports 3,815 foreign nationals were granted citizenship between October 2014 and February 2018.

1150 Australians became Fiji citizens, making them the biggest group of foreign nationals to make the move.

591 New Zealanders sought Fiji citizenship and the Fiji Government also offered citizenship to 585 people described as being "stateless".

Americans and Chinese rounded out the top five groups of nationals who were given citizenship.

In 2009, Fiji started offering dual nationality and as well as permits to ex-Fiji citizens to re-apply.