The printing of passports has been temporarily suspended following a breakdown of the Immigration Department’s printing machine.
Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration, Sitiveni Rabuka in confirming the issue, explained that technical difficulties had halted the production of passports, including emergency applications.
“We are sure at the moment that there is a breakdown in the passport printing machine,” Mr Rabuka said.
“There has been a glitch, and that has stopped a lot of passport printing. As a result, many emergency applications, along with other passport issuances, will not be processed.”
This latest disruption follows a previous announcement in August, when the Immigration Department first informed the public of technical difficulties with the passport printers.
At the time, the then permanent secretary for Immigration Mason Smith had issued a statement noting the suspension of passport printing due to ongoing technical issues.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will provide updates as soon as service is restored,” Mr Smith said in the August notice.
The suspension has left many citizens and residents unable to receive new or renewed passports, with the government urging the public to remain patient while the issue is being resolved.
The Immigration Department has not provided a timeline for when the printing service will resume, leaving many waiting for further updates.
