Fiji internship and training attachment permit

The permit is for non-citizens aged 18 or over who need to undertake an internship or training attachment at a locally approved, reputable institution or organisation as part of their educational or professional training in order to graduate. It is granted only for attachments with a Government institution, a quasi-government organisation or another organisation to the satisfaction and approval of the Director of Immigration. The ministry's study page also mentions internships taken while enrolled as a student.

The ministry considers applications on merit and case by case. Applicants must be medically fit and have no adverse police record, and a first-time application must be lodged from outside Fiji. Overstayers (section 13(2)(a) of the Immigration Act 2003), people convicted in any foreign country (section 13(2)(e)) and people who do not hold a valid permit or visa cannot apply. A visitor permit, including one issued on arrival to visa-exempt nationals, does not cover an internship.

Submit a certified copy of the passport bio page, two certified passport-size photos, a request letter, a medical report from within the last three months, approval from the institution or organisation accepting the internship, a sponsor letter from the person or organisation financing it, locally or overseas, and a copy of the return ticket. A police report from the country of citizenship or residence is needed for applicants over 18 only if the programme lasts more than six months.

The base fee is FJD 321.00, with online service fees of 2% for M-Paisa or 2.5% for Mastercard. All permit applications are lodged online through the IMMI HUB portal and paid online by M-PAiSA, Visa or Mastercard, with service fees of 2% (M-PAiSA) or 2.5% (Mastercard) charged by the providers. Documents that need an English translation must be translated and notarised in the applicant's country of residence; certification is by a notary public, commissioner of oaths or lawyer, or attestation by the foreign ministry of the issuing country. Progress is tracked in the portal, and the ministry answers enquiries only after 30 working days for permits and 21 working days for visas.

A foreigner or company whose permit application is refused by the Permanent Secretary may appeal in writing to the Minister responsible for immigration under Part 8, section 58 of the Immigration Act 2003, within 21 days of the decision. The appeal letter, addressed to the Director of Immigration, sets out the grounds and contact details and attaches the passport copy and refusal letter; the fee table lists an appeal fee of FJ$929.00.