A Comprehensive Guide to Long-term Residency in Fiji
Capital: Suva
Population: 926,276 (2018, 161st)
Ethnic Group: 56.8% Indigenous Fijians, 37.5% Indo-Fijians, 1.2% Rotumans
Area: 18,274 km2 (151st)
Offical Language: iTaukei (Fijian), English and Fiji Hindi
Currency: Fijian Dollar (as of July 25, 2024, 1 Fijian Dollar = 0.44 USD)
GDP per Captial: $16,563 (2023, 102nd)
Human Development Index: 0.729 (104th)
Country Profile:
Visa And Immigration System:
Fiji is a very small island nation in the Pacific, and the number of residence permits issued each year is also very limited.
Currently, the legal pathways for obtaining local residency provided by the Fijian government are as follows:
1. Work Permit: The Fijian work visa is divided into long-term work permits and short-term work permits. Essentially, to apply for it, you must be employed by a local employer, and the work contract must comply with Fijian labor laws.
2. Investor Permit for Non-Citizen Investors: This visa is issued to overseas entrepreneurs who invest at least 50,000 Fijian dollars (approximately 22,100 USD) to establish, acquire, or hold shares in a local company.
Currently, the Fijian investment visa is divided into two types based on the investment amount: a three-year visa (requiring an investment of 50,000 Fijian dollars) and a seven-year visa (requiring an investment of 250,000 Fijian dollars).
3. Retirement Visa (Residency Permit On Assured Income): The Fijian retirement visa is issued to financially independent individuals from abroad who have a deposit of 100,000 Fijian dollars (approximately 44,300 USD) in a local bank.
The Fijian government stipulates that individuals over the age of 45 are eligible to apply for this retirement visa, but in practice, applicants aged 40 to 44 can also be granted the visa on special approval.
This visa is valid for up to three years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the deposit remains. Although it is called a retirement visa, there are no strict pension requirements, and as long as you meet the age requirement, you are eligible to apply.
In addition to the above three types of long-term residence permits, Fiji only offers short-term residence permits such as tourist visas, student visas, and business visit visas.
For all types of Fijian immigration visas, you need to invest/deposit funds and meet the prerequisite conditions before applying. These visas can be applied for entirely online, and the processing speed is relatively fast; generally, you can obtain a residence permit within a month after submitting your application.
Dependents:
For all types of Fijian immigration visas, the primary applicant’s spouse and financially dependent children under 21 can obtain residency permits as secondary applicants.
Citizenship:
Fiji does not offer a permanent residency card in the true sense; long-term residency permits are merely stickers in the passport.
Foreigners who have resided in Fiji for more than five years within the ten years prior to submitting their application, and who have mastered one of the official languages (English, Fijian, or Hindi), may be eligible to apply for naturalization in Fiji.
Passport Power:
Fiji recognizes dual citizenship, and its passport ranks 57th globally. Citizens can travel freely (without a visa or with visa on arrival) to 88 countries and regions around the world. (June 24, 2024)
Useful Links:
Fiji Visa Application Platform：https://form.jotform.com/211497415736057
Fiji E-Visa：https://epassportportal.immi.gov.fj/fiji-epassport-portal-server/app/page/login
Fiji Immigration Department：https://www.immigration.gov.fj/
Fiji Investor Permit: https://www.immigration.gov.fj/investor-permit-for-non-citizen-investors
Fiji Residence Permit On Assured Income Application: https://fid.globalbedbank.opalstacked.com/residence-on-assured-income-permit-application/