$6M to End Passport Backlog

Government has allocated $6 million in the 2025–2026 National Budget to procure 200,000 new passport books, in a major move to resolve the country’s ongoing passport shortage.

The funding, part of the $17.8 million budget for the Ministry of Immigration, is expected to clear the current backlog of around 6000 applications and meet forecasted demand over the coming months.

“This intervention will normalise the passport shortage and restore service delivery to expected standards,” said Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto.

In response to public frustration over delays, Mr Naupoto confirmed that passport offices will extend opening hours as soon as the new batch of passports arrives next week.

Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto. Photo: Ronald Kumar

“We want to give people the opportunity to come after work and get their passports done,” he said.

The ministry has also been working overtime to process immigration permits.

Mr Naupoto said staff have cleared 31,000 entries in the past month alone.

With the backlog being actively addressed, the ministry expects passport and permit processing to return to normal operations soon.

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