23 Sep 2019

Fiji govt rolls out new e-passports

8:57 pm on 23 September 2019

Nine thousand Fijians are expected to receive new passports this week after months of delays.

Fiji Passport

Fiji Passport Photo: Fiji Department of Immigration

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the new travel documents had a range of security features that would make it difficult for people to enter Fiji illegally.

They would bring greater integrity to Fiji's immigration system, he said.

"We are taking the next step to a sweeping digital government transformation that will touch all corners of freedom society, securing our borders, uplifting our economy and bettering the lives of our people along the way."

However, the new passports are accompanied by a significant cost increase with the price more than doubling.

Immigration said from this week, Fijians who apply for an ordinary ePassport will now pay $FJ200.

Prior to the rollout, ordinary passports had cost $FJ72 while the urgent process would cost FJ$108.