Foreigners overstaying visas 'a significant concern'
Fiji Immigration. Nadi International Airport.
Photo:
Fiji Immigration
The Fijian Immigration Ministry is concerned about foreign nationals overstaying their visa permits.
In a statement on Tuesday, the acting permanent secretary for immigration Lesikimauata Korovavala said Fiji has seen a rise in the number of foreigners seeking employment opportunities in the country.
According to Fiji's immigration laws, foreigners who do not have proper authorisation are not permitted to be employed.
Korovavala said that, while the Immigration Office acknowledges the need to attract skilled professionals, "compliance with immigration laws remains a key priority to ensure a well-regulated system."
The Fijian government
has identified the outbound exodus of Fijians
as a major challenge to meeting the nation's labour demand.
The government is considering revising laws to allow more overseas workers as a solution to address the outward migration and skills shortages.
However, Korovavala said the number of foreign nationals without proper documentation "is of significant concern".
"In light of this, all individuals currently residing in Fiji without a valid permit are strongly encouraged to take immediate steps to regularise their immigration status."
Korovavala said this would prevent complications related to their departure from and re-entry into the country.
The Immigration Ministry warns it will take action against those who are staying in the country unlawfully.
He also urged Fijian employers to comply with immigration regulations.
Last month, Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto told parliament that the Immigration Department
issued over 7500 work permits
between August 2023 and January 2025.
In November 2024, eight Bangladeshi workers
absconded from their employers
.
Pio Tikoduadua, the immigration minister at the time, appealed to the migrant workers to "declare themselves to police", while the Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh they would be deported.
Between January and July 2024, Bangladeshi nationals received 700 out of 1300 work permits.
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