Fiji (FJ)
A tropical South Pacific hub with English-language administration, strong tourism and NGO sectors, rich iTaukei and Indo-Fijian cultures, and a relaxed but paperwork-heavy expat lifestyle.
Capital: Suva
Region: Oceania
Language: English
Currency: FJD ($)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 48)
Emergency: 911
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Fiji.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Permanent Residence Permit
Eligibility
Fiji has a formal permanent residence category. The primary route for financially self-sufficient applicants is the Assured Income Programme: applicants must be aged 45 or over, deposit a minimum of USD 100,000 in a Fiji financial institution, and demonstrate annual income or funds of at least USD 30,000–40,000. Permanent residence can also be granted after approximately 5 years of continuous lawful temporary residence for qualifying workers and family members.
Duration
Permanent, subject to continued compliance with conditions; document renewed periodically
Requirements
- ✓Assured Income route: age 45 or over; minimum USD 100,000 deposit in a Fiji financial institution; annual income or funds of at least USD 30,000–40,000; comprehensive health insurance
- ✓Work/residence route: approximately 5 years of continuous lawful temporary residence; employer support where applicable
- ✓All routes: clean police certificate from Fiji and home country, medical certificate, valid passport, application to the Fiji Immigration Department
Permanent residence provides long-term stability for retirees and investors. It does not confer citizenship but time on permanent residence counts toward the naturalisation residence requirement. The Assured Income Programme is the most commonly used route for foreign retirees and financially independent individuals. Verify current deposit and income thresholds with the Fiji Immigration Department as they are subject to revision.
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Citizenship
Name
Fijian Citizenship by Naturalisation
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have been ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least 8 of the last 10 years may apply for naturalisation under the Citizenship of Fiji Act as amended by the Citizenship of Fiji (Amendment) Act 2026 (passed by Parliament in 2026). Prior to this amendment the threshold was 5/10 years. From 1 January 2035, applicants must also hold a permanent residence permit before naturalising. Applicants must demonstrate good character, adequate knowledge of an official Fijian language (English, Fijian or Hindi), and genuine intention to remain in Fiji. NOTE: naturalisation applications have been suspended since October 2025 — verify current application status with the Fiji Immigration Department.
Duration
Permanent citizenship once granted
Requirements
- ✓8 of the last 10 years of ordinary lawful residence in Fiji (increased from 5/10 by Citizenship of Fiji Amendment Act 2026; from 1 January 2035 permanent residence will also be required)
- ✓Good character — clean criminal record from Fiji and home country
- ✓Adequate knowledge of English, Fijian or Hindi
- ✓Genuine intention to remain ordinarily resident in Fiji
- ✓Oath of allegiance to Fiji
- ✓Application to the Fiji Immigration Department with full supporting documentation
Naturalisation is discretionary and not an automatic entitlement on meeting the time threshold. The Citizenship of Fiji (Amendment) Act 2026 (now enacted) raised the standard residency from 5/10 to 8/10 years. Applications have been suspended since October 2025 pending full implementation — check current status with the Fiji Immigration Department before planning. Fiji allows multiple citizenship, so renunciation of prior nationality is not required on the Fijian side.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Citizenship by Marriage to Fijian Citizen (Spousal Route)
Eligibility
Spouses or former spouses of Fijian citizens who have been lawfully present in Fiji for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately before applying. From 1 January 2030, permanent residence will also be required before applying. This route was established by the Citizenship of Fiji (Amendment) Act 2026.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship once granted
Requirements
- ✓3 of the last 5 years of lawful presence in Fiji during the marriage (from 1 January 2030, permanent residence also required)
- ✓Valid or former marriage to a Fijian citizen
- ✓Good character — clean criminal record
- ✓Application to the Fiji Immigration Department
This is the fastest residence-based citizenship route for spouses. The 2026 amendment formalised this path. From 2030, permanent residence will become a prerequisite — spouses planning to use this route should obtain PR before 2030.
Citizenship by Birth in Fiji (Modified Jus Soli)
Eligibility
Children born in Fiji on or after 10 April 2009 are automatically Fijian citizens at birth, unless both parents hold diplomatic immunity or are foreign nationals who are not ordinarily resident in Fiji. At least one parent must be ordinarily resident in Fiji for the jus soli rule to apply.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent from birth
Requirements
- ✓Birth in Fiji on or after 10 April 2009
- ✓At least one parent ordinarily resident in Fiji at the time of birth
- ✓Neither parent holding full diplomatic immunity
- ✓Birth registration with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages within the prescribed period
The 2009 citizenship framework replaced an earlier model. Children born before 10 April 2009 are subject to the prior rules — consult the Fiji Immigration Department for pre-2009 birth cases. Parents should register the birth promptly to secure the citizenship record.
Citizenship by Registration (Former Citizens and Family Links)
Eligibility
Former Fijian citizens who lost citizenship on acquiring another nationality, spouses of Fijian citizens, and children of Fijian citizens born abroad may apply for citizenship by registration. The specific requirements depend on when citizenship was lost or the family relationship.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship once registered
Requirements
- ✓Proof of former Fijian citizenship or qualifying family relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate proving Fijian citizen parent)
- ✓Clean criminal record from Fiji and home country
- ✓Application to the Fiji Immigration Department with supporting civil documents
- ✓Application fee
Fiji recognises multiple citizenship — former Fijian citizens who re-register or spouses who naturalise are not required to renounce other nationalities on the Fijian side. Confirm eligibility criteria with the Fiji Immigration Department as the registration route has specific residency and character conditions.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
✓
Dual citizenship is allowed — Fiji recognises multiple citizenship under its post-2009 citizenship framework. Naturalised Fijian citizens are not required to renounce their prior nationality, and Fijian citizens who acquire a foreign nationality do not automatically lose their Fijian citizenship. Your other country of citizenship may or may not permit dual nationality — check with your home-country embassy before naturalising.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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