Fiji is a beautiful tropical country located in the South Pacific Ocean, known for its white beaches, coral reefs and hospitable people. It is not surprising that every year more and more foreigners dream of moving to these paradise islands. Learn more about the procedure for obtaining permanent residence in Fiji in 2024

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The island nation of Fiji consists of 14 provinces and was formerly a British colony. The most important provinces: Nadroga, Bua and Ba. The country is an island nation in the South Pacific with about 330 islands. The country's terrain consists of volcanic mountains and rich tropical forests. The climate is tropical maritime with relatively little seasonal variation in temperature. 

Fiji is home to about 926,276 people. The country's capital is the city of Suva, with a population of about 77,366. Lautoka and Nadi are also major cities that are noted for their vibrant atmosphere and culture.

Nadi is the location of the country's largest international airport, which handles around 2.3 million passengers annually. This airport is an important hub connecting Fiji to many places in Oceania, China and Taiwan.

Fiji is known for its incredible nature, offering a wide range of nature tourism opportunities. Large beaches, turquoise lagoons and nature reserves such as Buma National Heritage Park, Denarau Island, Pacific Harbour and the Great Astrolabe Reef make Fiji a great place to spend your holidays.

Surfing, scuba diving and fishing are popular activities for tourists visiting Fiji. About 900,000 tourists visit the country every year, many of whom come from New Zealand and Australia.

Benefits of Fiji Citizenship 2024

Fiji is a country with a high standard of living and well-developed infrastructure, including utilities and transport system. Healthcare in the country is also at a high level. Fiji's location at the crossroads of trade routes between Asia, Australia and the Americas opens up additional economic opportunities for business development and investment.

The Fijian government encourages foreign investment by offering tax incentives and other benefits to investors. The registration of a foreign investment project in Fiji can be done in the shortest possible time. In addition, a reduced corporate tax rate of only 17% is available to foreign companies establishing their headquarters in Fiji.

Nevertheless, Fijian citizenship may not be the best option for frequent travellers abroad. According to the Henley Passport Index, Fijian passports allow visa-free entry to only 88 countries, ranking them 63rd in the ranking of countries in terms of free movement. Nevertheless, Fiji continues to be an attractive place to live, do business and enjoy a holiday due to its unique benefits and welcoming environment.

Who can automatically become a Fijian citizen?

The Fijian Citizenship Act, which came into force on 10 April 2009, clearly describes all the criteria that must be met to obtain a Fijian passport. By default, people are considered Fijian citizens if they fall into one of the following categories:

1. Children born in Fiji before 1990 or after 1997 to Fijian citizens or foreign nationals;

2. Children born between 1990 and 1997 to families where at least one parent is a Fijian citizen;

3. Children who are abandoned and found in Fiji automatically become Fijian citizens as if they were born here.

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Who is eligible for Fijian citizenship in 2024?

An applicant is eligible for Fijian citizenship by registration if he or she falls into one of the following categories:

1. Children adopted by Fijian national parents;

2. Minors born abroad in a family where at least one parent is a Fijian citizen;

3. Children aged 18 years and above who were born abroad to a family where at least one parent is a Fijian citizen and have resided in Fiji for at least three of the five years preceding the application for citizenship;

4. Spouses of Fijian citizens who have lived in the country for three or more years out of the five years preceding the application;

5. Foreign nationals who have resided in Fiji for at least five out of the ten years preceding the application for citizenship (their children are also eligible for citizenship). People in this category can obtain a Fijian passport by naturalisation. 

Obtaining a Fiji resident card

Obtaining Fijian citizenship through naturalisation opens up opportunities for foreigners who wish to become residents of this country. There are several ways to obtain a residence permit, including employment, education, investment, or proof of a stable income.

One of the ways to obtain a residence permit is through employment. Foreigners who have a job offer from a local employer can obtain a residence card subject to government approval. A work permit can be issued for a short or longer period. If you change jobs, you will need to apply for a new work permit, as the permit is issued for a specific employer.

Another way is to obtain a residence permit through education. Students of Fijian universities or colleges can also obtain resident status. The requirements depend on the length of the study programme and may be associated with the presentation of a return ticket or a deposit.

It is also possible to prove a stable income to obtain a residence permit. Wealthy foreigners can become residents of Fiji if they can prove their financial stability. However, there are some conditions, such as the need to have health insurance and to place a deposit in a bank account.

Foreign investors who are interested in investing in the Fijian economy can obtain a residence permit in this country. However, it is important to note that it is not possible to obtain Fijian citizenship through investment directly. The investor must first become a resident and then apply for naturalisation to obtain a passport.

In order to become a resident of Fiji through investment, foreign investors must submit an application to the Fiji Board of Trade and Investment, indicating the proposed amount of investment. Subsequently, they can be granted a residence permit for three or seven years, depending on the amount of investment.

If the investment amount is at least FJD 50,000 (USD 22,139), the investor will receive a three-year residence permit. For investments of FJD 250,000 or more (USD 110,695), a seven-year residence permit is granted.

To apply for a residence permit, investors need to submit several mandatory documents, such as a letter of investment approval from the Board of Trade and Investment, a certified copy of the foreign investment certificate, a completed application in accordance with the official form, medical and police certificates, etc.

After the expiry of the temporary residence permit, the investor may extend it an unlimited number of times, provided that he or she continues to stay in the country on the same basis. This approach allows foreign investors to confidently develop their business plans and investment projects in Fiji with the appropriate residency status.

Naturalisation for foreigners in Fiji 2024

To be eligible for naturalisation, a foreign national must have spent at least five of the ten years preceding the application in Fiji. During this time, he or she must learn one of the local languages (English, Hindi or Fijian), prove his or her trustworthiness and intention to reside in Fiji. Once you have reached the required minimum period of residence in Fiji, you can apply for citizenship.

Application for Fijian citizenship

When applying, you must fill out a special form and attach the following documents:

1. 2 passport-size photographs;

2. A notarised copy of the birth certificate;

3. A completed oath of allegiance form;

4. Police clearance certificate for the last 12 months from your country of current citizenship or residence (not required if you live and work in Fiji);

5. A certificate from the local police if you have been in Fiji for the last 12 months.

Unfortunately, the Department of Immigration does not provide more detailed information about the required documents on its website. You should contact the department directly for a complete list.

Obtaining Fijian citizenship is usually an expensive and lengthy process. The entire process takes about nine months and costs $5,000.

The editors of Visit World recommend using the Tourist Guide for any country in the world for a comfortable and safe trip.

The guide is a detailed written document that contains basic advice on obtaining a visa, crossing the border, getting a job, citizenship, and much more. More details at the link.