Fiji work permit

The ministry lists long-term permits for specific skills and long-running roles, permits of one year or less for temporary or seasonal work, and categories for employees of international and regional NGOs in humanitarian roles, maritime and fishing crew, overseas employees seconded to Fiji, employees of foreign companies on a specific project, and education or religious work. The employer or sponsor in Fiji usually initiates the application, and registered agents may apply on behalf of the company for short-term permits.

The long-term work permit covers employment of one to three years with a locally registered company. Applicants must be 18 or over, medically fit and hold a valid contract. For a first-time long-term permit the applicant must be outside Fiji, except the spouse of a Fiji citizen; holders of a short-term work permit can apply from inside. Holders of study, residence, investor or visitor permits and of a business visitors permit cannot apply.

The short-term work permit, issued under section 9(2)(c) of the Immigration Act 2003, is for a person whose expertise is urgently needed for one year or less. It cannot be extended and does not cover dependants; if the company wishes to retain the worker, the permit transitions to a long-term work permit. Visitors already in Fiji on holiday or visiting family are excluded.

A certified photo taken within three months, a certified or apostilled national police report less than one year old from each country where the applicant lived for 12 months or more, a medical report less than three months old on the ministry's form, a certified passport bio page valid more than six months, a CV, certified academic qualifications, the terms and conditions form, the employee consent and declaration form and the signed contract of employment.

Employers add any endorsement from the relevant professional body and, in construction, the full project or contract agreement with start and end dates, value, defect period and signatures. Drivers need an authenticated international licence and must send the full LTA driving licence and defensive driving certificate within six months of the permit.

The base fee is FJD 650.05 for the primary applicant and FJD 185.00 per dependant; the fee table also lists FJ$650.05 for extending or varying a work permit and FJ$185.00 as the permit issue fee. The ministry's FAQ gives a standard processing time of 21 working days, and enquiries are answered after 30 working days. Extensions should be lodged 30 days before the permit expires, and you may not change employer without first obtaining approval or a variation.

A security bond may be required before a permit is granted. The state forfeits it if the holder breaches permit conditions or stays without lawful authority after the permit expires. A cash bond is refunded only when the holder has left Fiji, changed permits, been granted exemption status or acquired Fiji citizenship; the refund application has a standard processing period of 21 working days.

Dependants on a permit are strictly limited to a legal spouse and children under 18. De facto partners and children over 18 who want to live with the principal applicant must apply separately for a co-extensive residence permit. Each dependant on a long-term permit supplies a photo, a police report if 18 or over, a medical report, a passport copy, the residence terms and conditions and the marriage or birth certificate. Dependants are not included with short-term work permits.

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.