Fiji business visa rules

The visitor or business provision in section 9(3) of the Immigration Act 2003 allows non-citizens from any visa-exempted country to work, study or conduct business-related activities for up to 14 days. You must declare the intent or purpose of the visit at the border on arrival. The provision cannot be extended and you cannot apply for an extension under it; a work permit is required for work beyond 14 days.

Nationals of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States receive a business visitors permit on arrival for 21 days without prior approval, covering business, study, research, consultancy or work-related activities. Working beyond the 21 days without a permit may lead to removal and denial of future entry. Nationals of non-exempt countries travelling for business, training or workshops need a visa first, with two certified photos, a certified passport copy, a sponsor letter from the local company or organisation and the itinerary.

Carry your passport, valid for more than six months, a return ticket and evidence of the business purpose, such as an invitation from the Fijian company, so that you can declare the purpose clearly at the border. Make sure all activities fit within 14 days, or obtain the 12-week authority or a work permit in time.

Business visitors cannot switch to some permits from inside Fiji: holders of a business visitors permit of 14 or 21 days are excluded from the long-term work permit, the short-term work permit and the investor permit, and they cannot extend their visitor permit. Visitors who declared investment on arrival, by contrast, may apply for the investor permit. Plan the correct permit before travelling if the stay will be longer.

A separate authority allows non-citizens on a visitor permit to engage in business or investment, study, research, religious activities or consultancy for a maximum of 12 weeks from the date of arrival. Section 9(3)(a) of the Act is the enabling provision for the first 14 days and section 9(7) authorises an extension beyond 14 days. The fee table lists FJ$185.00 for a temporary permit under sections 9(2)(b) and 9(7).

Workers provide a letter of request and undertaking from the employer or organisation, students a letter of acceptance and undertaking from the institution, and entertainers proof of tax registration and approval from the relevant authorities for the show. All applicants add certified copies of the return ticket and passport bio page and evidence of funds for their upkeep; if approval is granted, the passport is presented.