Canadian visa processing for Fijian applicants will continue in Australia, as confirmed by Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, during the recent opening of the High Commission in Suva. Traditionally, applicants have been required to submit their visa applications and fulfill biometric requirements at the Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Suva, which has an administrative function.
Sarai emphasized the current processing of visas in Sydney, expressing optimism for the future: “This is the start, currently the visa’s still being processed in Sydney, but we’re hoping as we grow and as the volume grows, then more opportunities will be here.” The VAC in Suva plays a critical role by collecting applications and biometrics and securely forwarding the necessary documents and passports to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada located in Sydney for further assessment.
All visa applications, including temporary resident applications such as visitor visas, study permits, and work permits, are under the jurisdiction of the Sydney Office. Additionally, Sarai highlighted that the new High Commission is well-equipped to offer a comprehensive range of services, stating, “The High Commission here has the full range of services that a High Commission could offer through facilities in Sydney and New Zealand as well.”
As the process stands, applicants have the option to submit their visa applications online through the IRCC portal or paper submissions via the VAC. This continued cooperation between Canada and Fiji is not only a positive step for applicants seeking Canadian opportunities but also signals a growing relationship between the two nations.