New immigration offices in Rakiraki and Nakasi, digital passports in budget bid: Naupoto

The Ministry of Immigration says the groundwork for its digital transformation has already been completed and is now seeking budget support to implement a suite of new services, including online passport renewals, expanded regional offices and advanced border security systems.

Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto said the upcoming financial year would focus on putting into operation reforms that had already been developed and approved.

“We expect in the next budget, just a continuation of what we have been given this year, and it will be just an implementation year for this new systems that we are getting,” Mr Naupoto said.

“As we said, the foundation work for the implementation has already been done this year, and we're so glad that we're able to do things in the right order, and that is to get the acts to be modernised, all our immigration acts, and then implement the new systems that we're bringing in the new financial year.”

The ministry plans to open new immigration offices in Nakasi and Rakiraki as part of efforts to decentralise services and improve access for people living outside major urban centres.

“We are also decentralising our services, so in the new financial year we will open an office in Nakasi, and also an office in Rakiraki.

“For now, all those people from the Ra province, Wainibuka, they either all come all the way to Suva, or they go all the way to Lautoka, to access our services. So now they can just, there is Rakiraki and there is Nakasi there.”

The ministry is also establishing document forensic laboratories in Nadi and Suva to strengthen its ability to detect fraudulent documents and manage risks associated with online applications.

“In addition, we are also getting a document forensic lab set up in Nadi, and one will be in Suva. It's important to get those capacities up and running so that we can mitigate the risks that come with digital applications, and what is available online now.”

A major focus of the reform programme is the rollout of the Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, recently approved by Cabinet to strengthen Fiji's border security framework.

Mr Naupoto said the systems would require additional staffing because they would operate on a 24-hour basis.

“The new systems will require extra manpower, so API and PNR, when it is implemented, that is a 24-7 system. You watch it for 24-7 system, so there is a shift work that will be required, so we will require extra manpower for that.

“We've requested for that extra, and we will do whatever we are given in the new budget year.”

The minister also revealed that work was underway on a digital passport upgrade that will allow Fijians to apply for and renew passports online.

“This upgrade that is ongoing will allow you to apply and renew your passport from home, as long as you have internet. You do not have to appear in person at an immigration office.

“Only for those that are applying for their passports for the first time will be required to attend to one of the immigration offices.”