Fiji Immigration Ministry Faces Scrutiny Over Expanded Investor Role

Fiji's Ministry of Immigration is navigating a challenging transition into a standalone ministry, grappling with expanded responsibilities that extend beyond its traditional border control mandate. Permanent Secretary Aliki Salusalu informed the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that the ministry was never designed to scrutinize investors, a function now added to its core duties.

Previously handled by the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau, the investor assessment role has been transferred to immigration, significantly increasing the agency's workload. Salusalu explained that immigration historically operated as a border enforcement body, collaborating with security agencies. Now, in its first financial year as a standalone entity (2025-2026), the ministry faces challenges including policy direction, funding, and strategic influence.

Despite the transition improving visibility, gaps have emerged. Staffing remains limited, with only the Minister and Permanent Secretary added during the shift. Job evaluations and planned reforms are delayed. The ministry continues to manage visas, permits, citizenship applications, and passports, alongside border security operations at major entry points like Nadi International Airport, which handles nearly a million arrivals annually.

Salusalu emphasized that immigration now plays a central role in border security, making sovereign decisions on entry and refusal. The ministry has also assumed an economic function through investor assessments, despite its original structure not being designed for such tasks. Policy and capacity constraints persist as the agency adapts to its growing mandate and responsibilities.

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When they pass on that role to immigration, we were not designed to scrutinise investors. Our role is to clear passengers at the border. The issue of permits and visas, the processing of citizenship, and passports.