Fiji travellers to face pre-arrival screening as border tech gets $14.8m boost

Fiji's Ministry of Immigration has been allocated $14.8 million in the 2026–2027 National Budget to modernise the country's immigration system, just as international visitor arrivals are expected to exceed one million this year for the first time. Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto said the funding will speed up that modernisation.

The money is earmarked for new border technology, securing the supply of national passports, stronger anti-human trafficking work and new regional immigration offices.

Key facts

• $14.8 million allocated to the Ministry of Immigration in the 2026–2027 National Budget
• $5 million to buy 100,000 blank passport books and upgrade the online passport application system
• Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) system to be rolled out
• A new Border Management System is being developed with Australian support
• New regional immigration offices planned for Nakasi and Rakiraki
• $225,000 added to Fiji's response to human trafficking

What is changing at the border?

The Ministry of Immigration will introduce an Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) system. The technology lets immigration officers assess and screen passenger profiles before travellers land in the country.

The API/PNR platform will run alongside a new Border Management System that is currently being developed with Australian support. Together, the two platforms are intended to let low-risk travellers clear immigration quickly while high-risk passengers are monitored more closely.

What does this mean for passport services?

Naupoto said the government is taking action "to avoid future shortages" of passports. Of the total allocation, $5 million will go towards procuring 100,000 blank passport books.

The same funding will also pay for an upgrade to Fiji's online passport application system, which the minister said is intended to make the service more convenient.

What else is the funding covering?

New regional immigration offices are planned for Nakasi and Rakiraki, which the allocation is meant to establish in order to improve accessibility to immigration services.

A separate $225,000 will strengthen Fiji's response to human trafficking. The funds will support specialised officer training, improved victim identification protocols and deeper cooperation with regional and international security partners.

Why is this happening?

The upgrades are being funded as Fiji's international visitor arrivals are expected to exceed one million this year for the first time. The allocation is aimed at preparing the country's border and passport services for that increase.

What this means for travellers

Once the API/PNR and Border Management Systems are in operation, travellers should expect their passenger details to be assessed before their flight lands in Fiji, with low-risk passengers designed to move through immigration faster. Anyone applying for a Fijian passport may find the online application system changed under the planned upgrade.

No start dates have been announced for the API/PNR system, the Border Management System, the online passport upgrade or the new offices in Nakasi and Rakiraki.