Fiji now has 857 new citizens through the government's initiative to offer dual citizenship to former citizens and interested parties.

Statistics from the Department of Immigration reveal that between July last year and July this year, 1054 applications were received and of that total, 857 applicants were granted dual citizenship status in Fiji.

Minister for Defence and Immigration Ratu Epeli Ganilau said the attainment of dual citizenship is covered under the Citizenship Decree which came into force on 10th April 2009.

The Decree allows for any child, spouse and former Fiji citizen to apply for citizenship by registration and it also allows foreigners, who are working, investing or residing in Fiji for the last ten years, to apply for Fiji citizenship by naturalization.

Ratu Epeli said it has also opened up new opportunities for persons falling into the qualifying categories to return either as retirees or investors and enables their family members and children to visit and get to know their motherland.

The Immigration Department confirmed that a lot of those that have been granted Fiji citizenship under the new Citizenship Decree have invested in property, farming and tourism development.


Story by: Roneel Lal