Fiji Immigration Works On Advanced Security Features For New Passports

The Fiji Immigration Department is now in the process of issuing new passports with advanced security features.

The new passports, which the department calls ePassport, will be embedded with security chips and make it harder for anyone to duplicate a Fijian Passport.

The new epassport has an embedded electronic microprocessor chip which contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of the passport holder.

Director Immigration Nemani Vuniwaqa said the department had limited older versions of the pass- port available and that the ePass- port was expected to be in the country in the next four to six months.

This means anyone needing a passport within the next four months will need to send in a justification for their travel, while the department awaits the new delivery.

“For all new applications we will treat them on a case-by-case basis.

The priority will be given to those who require emergency or medical evacuation and, secondly, for those who really need to travel.

We request that you come with a justification.

“A written justification will all go through the Director’s office to see if it is endorsed.

“We understand that there are people coming to the department for new passports.

They need to travel as soon as possible as a requirement for a visa application to go overseas.

“That is the condition we have put in place in order to make everyone aware that we are going through this process.”

Mr Vuniwaqa said the introduction of the ePassport would benefit everyone.

“All passport applications will be scrutinised and for those requesting renewals if we see that the condition of the passport is still good, still readable or visa page still available we will advise applicants to go through the endorsement of the same passport for another 10 years,” he said.

“As per the passport regulations of 1971 we can extend the validity of the passport for another 10 years and that is from the date of expiry, so that is our advice. With that you can still be guaranteed that passport is valid for another 10 years.

“With the technology that will come with it, it will mean there would be faster processing for travellers carrying epassports. This transition is in line with the Department of Immigration’s national plans.

“We are still in the negotiation stage with the companies. Right now, we are talking with the companies from Europe. The current supplier of our books is a company based in France.”

Edited by Epineri Vula