Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says Fiji’s previous citizenship pathway was too easily accessible, warning that some foreign nationals could qualify for citizenship after only a few years in the country through successive work permit extensions.
Speaking in Parliament last Thursday during debate on the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2026, Passports (Amendment) Bill 2026 and Citizenship of Fiji (Amendment) Bill 2026, Turaga said the issue first came to his attention while serving at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“When I was in the Ministry of Home Affairs, something came to my attention. It takes only one person from China, who comes with a work permit to have his work permit extended twice to qualify to be a Fiji citizen.”
Turaga said the process had been overly generous and vulnerable to exploitation.
“It was so easy, we gave it away.”
He welcomed provisions in the proposed legislation that introduce a permanent residency pathway before citizenship can be considered.
“However, we understand that we note from here that there is a process – PR. I thank the honourable Minister and his team.”
The Acting Attorney-General said Fiji’s attractiveness as a destination meant immigration policies needed to be carefully managed.
“Given our lucrative, our very attractive location, people come here for that sole purpose.”
Turaga also highlighted concerns over the growing number of foreign workers in Fiji.
“One of the problems we face nowadays is our foreign workers. This is a real issue, Mr Speaker, Sir.”
He noted that immigration laws often require frequent updates to address changing migration patterns and emerging challenges.
“Immigration laws are one piece of legislation that changes faster than any other laws.”
Drawing on international examples, Turaga pointed to recent changes in New Zealand’s immigration settings.
“I understand in New Zealand last year, they have changed the Immigration laws because a lot of Fiji citizens, the ladies, used to go and give birth in New Zealand for the purpose of citizenship.”
“But they have changed that. Maybe that is something that we can look at.”
The amendments form part of a broader package of immigration, passport and citizenship reforms currently before Parliament, aimed at strengthening oversight of migration pathways and citizenship eligibility in Fiji.
