SUVA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Fiji will purchase 40,000 e-passport booklets worth 500,000 Fijian dollars (about 232,000 U.S. dollars) as part of its efforts to strengthen border control services.
Fijian Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Department of Immigration Voreqe Bainimarama told the Fijian parliament on Friday that the new initiative aims at strengthening border control services.
All e-passports will include a chip containing bio-metric details for verification as an added security feature and to protect against forgery and identify theft.
Bainimarama said that these include the production of e-passports for easier border entry, the implementation of new E-Gates at Fiji's Nadi International Airport, closer integration with INTERPOL, building Fiji's IT and intelligence capacity and engaging in a comprehensive review of all current laws, regulations and process for all immigration services.
Fiji's Director of Immigration Nemani Vuniwaqa said earlier that they would be phasing out the current passports to replace with e-passports.
Vuniwaqa said the current passport numbers are depleting, however, the department will continue to accept passport applications from Fijians wanting to travel overseas.
He said they have some passport books still available but issuance will be restricted to those seeking urgent medical evacuation abroad and those submitting justifications for urgent travels.
People whose passports are about to expire and still have leaflets are encouraged to apply for renewals.
The application fees for Fijian e-passports will change but the department will advise people once they have it in place. The e-passports are expected to arrive into the country in the next four to six months.
The Immigration Department said that the transition to e-passports will strengthen border security and streamline customs and immigration, decrease passenger processing time and create an easier, more efficient travel experience in Fiji. Enditem
