Members of Fiji’s Banaban community are set to benefit from a special provision under the proposed Citizenship of Fiji (Amendment) Bill 2026, which removes application fees for naturalisation over a five-year period.
The Bill, that was tabled in Parliament on May 1, introduces a transitional arrangement allowing Banaban applicants residing in Fiji to apply for citizenship without paying the prescribed fee for five years after the law comes into force.
“At the commencement … and for a period of 5 years after commencement, an application for naturalisation by a member of the Banaban community … is not subject to the prescribed fee,” the Bill states.
The move is part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Fiji’s citizenship framework while recognising specific historical and social contexts.
The Bill also formally defines the “Banaban community” in line with the Banaban Settlement Act 1970, ensuring clarity in how the provision is applied.
However, while the fee exemption provides relief, applicants will still need to meet all other requirements for citizenship, including residency, character and eligibility criteria.
