The Ministry of Immigration in Fiji is experiencing a notable increase in passport applications, having issued over 40,000 passports this year alone, with expectations for this number to continue rising. Permanent Secretary Aliki Salusalu remarked that while the department has made substantial progress in processing applications, a significant backlog remains due to unprecedented demand, which has surpassed the typical annual cap that hovered around 40,000.
The rising interest among Fijians in traveling abroad for purposes such as work, education, medical needs, and leisure has prompted the ministry to adapt its operations. Earlier this year, to address the backlog, the department suspended walk-in passport application services except for emergencies and managed to issue an impressive 10,000 passports within a seven-week timeframe.
In its efforts to streamline the processing of applications, the department is currently limiting online appointment slots to just 30 each day due to the overwhelming volume of requests. Salusalu mentioned that the situation is expected to improve with the anticipated arrival of additional passport stocks, which will allow for an increase in appointment availability. A new shipment of 30,000 passports is expected to arrive by January next year, which is viewed as a positive development in addressing the existing challenges.
In earlier reports, it was noted that a total of 100,000 new passports have been ordered to meet growing demands and tackle shortages. Minister Viliame Naupoto has assured the public that the government is taking proactive steps to enhance accessibility, including plans to potentially open a new office in Nakasi to better serve residents in nearby areas, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on the Suva office.
These recent developments signify the commitment of the Fijian government to improve passport services, restoring public confidence and ensuring that all Fijians have timely access to travel documents. As the immigration department continues to address backlogs and adapt to the surging demand, optimism remains that these enhancements will lead to a more efficient passport application process in the future.