Qualification by naturalisation and costs associated with it is a concern - Tikoduadua

Minister for Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua says the qualification by naturalisation where former Fijian citizens and their families who want to get a Fijian passport and the cost of having to get a Fijian passport, is a concern.

While debating on the Review of the Office of the Prime Minister and Department of Immigration 2018–2019 Annual Report, Tikoduadua says they are looking into this and will hopefully have a report on the deliberations of the government regarding this request in the future.

He says there have also been some concerns about Fijian passports that have been issued to a whole range of people who are now living in Fiji.

Tikoduadua says this is in terms of whether they are actually qualified to have these passports issued to them and become Fiji citizens.

The Minister says they are doing some research into it to find out how many of those have been issued and if they have been issued under the current laws.

He further says they also want to look into the issue of granting citizenship where laws were changed from 5 to 15 years to live in Fiji to qualify to become a Fijian.

Tikoduadua says this is a matter that needs to be looked into fairly for genuine people who want to become Fijians and be granted citizenship.

He says the matter of issuing work permit has always been a concern and the private sector is always concerned that the Department of Immigration is not always quick enough in terms of facilitating investment through acquiring permits.

The Minister says they are looking at talking to the private sector and see better ways at how they can be more efficient in granting work permits for those who want to come and work here.