Government has revised overseas travel approval processes for civil servants, directing that travel will only be approved where it is considered essential for national interest, statutory obligations or critical service delivery.
The directive was outlined in a circular dated May 6 issued by Permanent Secretary for Civil Service Pita Tagicakirewa.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had announced a ban on overseas travel as part of austerity measures related to the fuel crisis.
According to the circular, ministries and departments are now required to ensure that only fully funded travel arrangements are approved.
The document states that this includes incidental and transit allowances where such costs are not covered by development partners.
“Only fully funded travel arrangements are approved,” the circular noted.
The directive further states that any additional expenses arising from early arrivals or late departures must be borne by the respective ministries.
Permanent Secretaries have also been instructed to continue submitting fully funded travel requests through the existing approval process.
The circular places additional scrutiny on travel requests from officers below Permanent Secretary level.
It states that, except for fully funded travel and categories outlined under Finance Circular No.10/2025-2026, officers below the level of Permanent Secretary must submit requests to the Ministry of Civil Service for consideration.
The approved categories include travel deemed essential for national interest, statutory obligations or critical service delivery.
The move signals tighter Government oversight on official overseas travel as ministries face increasing pressure to manage operational expenditure carefully.
