Moving to Fiji: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

935,974

Population Growth Rate

0.73%

Urban Population

52.200000

Population in Major Urban Areas

SUVA (capital) 177,000

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Age Structure

27.880000

Median Age

27.600000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

20

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

5.96

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.54

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-6.99

Ethnic Groups

Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)

Nationality Noun

Fijian(s)

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Literacy - total population

93.7%

Literacy - male

95.5%

Literacy - female

91.9%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

4.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

16.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

71.870000

Infant Mortality Rate

10.460000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

10.460000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

26

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.43

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2.1

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.8%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

30.6%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

92.100000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

5.3%

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Economic Overview

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies.

Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners.

Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export.

Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016.

Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports.

The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index.

Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013.

Industries

Tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$9,860,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$9,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3%

GDP - official exchange rate

$4,891,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 81.3% (2017 est.) Government
• consumption: 24.4% (2017 est.) Investment in fixed
• capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) Investment in
• inventories: 0% (2017 est.) Exports of goods and
• services: 29% (2017 est.) Imports of goods and
• services: -51.6% (2017 est.)

GDP - note

Note: Data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - per capita (PPP) note

Note: Data are in 2017 dollars

GDP by Sector- agriculture

13.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

17.4%

GDP by Sector- services

69.1%

Industrial Growth Rate

2.8%

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Inflation Rate

3.4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

2.075

Currency Name and Code

Fijian dollars (FJD)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

5.74%

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Labor Force

353,100

Unemployment Rate

4.5%

Major Industries

Tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber

Agriculture Products

Sugarcane, copra, ginger, tropical fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, chicken, fish

Population Below Poverty Line

31%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

44.2%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

14.3%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

41.6%

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Annual Budget

$1,454,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

48.9%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

29.7%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Fiji

Country Name

Fiji

Local - Long

Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian)

Local - Short

Fiji (English)/ Viti (Fijian)

Etymology- history of name

The Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi, and in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation - promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK - the designation became Fiji

Independence

10 October 1970 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970)

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Government Type

Parliamentary republic

Constitution

• History: Several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013
• Amendments: Proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president

Legal System:

Common law system based on the English model

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU (since 12 November 2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA (since 24 December 2022)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament election/appointment
• process: president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister endorsed by the president most recent election
• date: 31 October 2024
• election results: 2024: Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU elected president (People's Alliance) 35 votes, Meli Tora TAVAIQIA (Fiji First) 14 votes 2021: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president; Wiliame KATONIVERE (People's Alliance) 28 votes, Teimumu KEPA (SODELPA) 23 votes expected date of next
• election: 2027

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Unicameral Parliament (55 seats; members directly elected in a nationwide, multi-seat constituency by open-list proportional representation vote with a 5% electoral threshold; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: Last held on 14 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
• Election Results: Percent of vote by party - FijiFirst 42.5%, People's Alliance 35.8%, NFP 8.9%, SODELPA 5.1%, other 7.7%; seats by party - FijiFirst 26, People's Alliance 21, NFP 5, SODELPA 3; composition as of January 2024 - men 50, women 5, percent of women 9.1%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji upon the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the committee of the House of Representatives responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years nor more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65
• Subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions)

Regions or States:

• Summary: 14 provinces
• and 1 dependency*
• Ba
• Bua
• Cakaudrove
• Kadavu
• Lau
• Lomaiviti
• Macuata
• Nadroga and Navosa
• Naitasiri
• Namosi
• Ra
• Rewa
• Rotuma*
• Serua
• Tailevu

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Fiji First [Voroqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA]
• Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]
• Freedom Alliance [Jagath KARUNARATNE] (formerly Fiji United Freedom Party or FUFP)
• National Federation Party or NFP [Biman PRASAD] (primarily Indian)
• People's Alliance [Sitiveni RABUKA]
• Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Lynda TABUYA]
• Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA [Lenaitasi DURU, general secretary]
• Unity Fiji [Savenaca NARUBE]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: No Citizenship by descent
• only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji Dual citizenship
• recognized: Yes Residency requirement for
• naturalization: At least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application

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Capital Name

Suva (on Viti Levu)

Capital - geographic coordinate

18 08 S, 178 25 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• ADB
• AOSIS
• CP
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• OPCW
• PCA
• PIF
• Sparteca (suspended)
• SPC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNDOF
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNISFA
• UNMISS
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 24 November 2022); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu
• Embassy: 158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva
• Mailing Address: 4290 Suva Place, Washington DC 20521-4290
• Telephone: [679] 331-4466
• FAX: [679] 330-2267
• Email: SuvaACS@state.gov
• Website: https://fj.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Aporosa BABAKOBUA
• Chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
• Telephone: [1] (917) 208-4560
• FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325
• Email: info@FijiEmbassyDC.com
• Website: https://www.fijiembassydc.com/

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Geographic Location

Oceania

Geographic Coordinates

18 00 S, 175 00 E

Total Area

7,056 Square Miles 18,274 Square Kilometers

Land Area

7,056 Square Miles 18,274 Square Kilometers

Coastline

702 Miles 1,129 Kilometers

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Terrain

Mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Highest Point

1,324 Meters

Highest Point Location

Tomanivi 1,324 m

Lowest Point Location

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Irrigated Land

12 Square Miles 30 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January

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Climate

The wet summer season lasts from December through March.

The cooler, drier winter season falls between May and October.

Although temperature changes are noticeable, the average number of days of rainfall in Suva varies little from month to month.

Humidity during summer is usually high, often reaching 90% and above.

Fiji is in the hurricane zone.

The last hurricane to hit Suva directly was Cyclone Kina, in January 1991.

In March 1997, Cyclone Gavin swept through northern Vanua Levu and the northwestern part of Viti Levu, devastating several outer island-groups.

Southeast trade winds blow steadily from March to October, with variable winds during the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Terrain

Mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Location

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Total Area

7,056 Square Miles 18,274 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

Deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$908,200,000 (USD)

Imports

$1,911,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Fuel, including oil, fish, beverages, gems, sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil, mineral water

Major Imports

Manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food and beverages, chemicals, tobacco

Top Export Partners

US 20.8%, Australia 14.9%, NZ 7.7%, Tonga 5%, Vanuatu 4.6%, China 4.5%, Spain 4.3%, UK 4.3%, Kiribati 4.1%

Top Import Partners

Australia 19.2%, NZ 17.2%, Singapore 17%, China 13.8%

Export Partners

US 20.8%, Australia 14.9%, NZ 7.7%, Tonga 5%, Vanuatu 4.6%, China 4.5%, Spain 4.3%, UK 4.3%, Kiribati 4.1%

Import Partners

Australia 19.2%, NZ 17.2%, Singapore 17%, China 13.8%

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Country Description

Fiji is a South Pacific island nation with 333 islands and islets, 106 of which are inhabited.

The capital of Fiji is Suva.

Once a leader of Pacific democracies, Fiji has been under military rule since 2006.

Since the government's abrogation of Fiji's Constitution in April 2009, the government has ruled by decree and limited basic freedoms.

A new constitution promulgated on September 6, 2013 restores some freedoms while keeping decrees in place until the first seating of Parliament sometime after elections, which are expected in September 2014.

Tourism is a major industry in Fiji, and a full range of services are available.

The Fiji Visitors Bureau has a wide range of information for travelers that can be accessed by visiting the Fiji Visitors Bureau's website.

Safety & Security

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to or within Fiji.

Since the Fijian government's abrogation of Fiji's Constitution in April 2009, the Fijian government has ruled by decree and limited somebasic freedoms.

U.S. citizens in Fiji should remain cautious and alert in public places and near military activities in the greater Suva area.

Although demonstrations are not common in Fiji, you should avoid demonstrations and large crowds, remembering that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly.

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Crime

Urban areas experience a higher incidence of crime than do rural areas.

Most crime takes place in Suva and Nadi, away from resort areas.

You should always protect your valuables and be aware that theft from hotel rooms, purse snatching, and pick pocketing are the most common crimes against tourists.

Be attentive of your personal safety and be cautious about sharing too much personal information about where you are from and where you are staying while traveling.

If you are not familiar with an area, ask hotel staff about areas to avoid.

There has been an increase in incidents involving sexual assaults and harassment in Fiji.

You should not walk alone after dark and always be sure to avoid isolated and deserted areas.

You should lock your doors and windows when you are alone at home or in your hotel room.

Since there is crime directed at taxi drivers, do not allow taxis to pick up other passengers while you are en route.

Similarly, you should not enter a taxi already carrying other passengers.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Fiji, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

You should carry photo identification with you at all times.

If you are suspected of being involved in criminal activities, you will be taken in for questioning and asked for identification.

Respect any cultural sites with security warnings posted against photography.

Fiji enforces laws against driving under the influence of alcohol, and offenders may be taken to jail.

If you are stopped and found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, you will be taken to the police station for further tests.

If the second test is affirmative, you will be detained in a prison cell to sober up, typically overnight, and you will be charged the following morning.

If you do not have a permanent address in Fiji, the local police will keep you in custody and will arrange for a special court hearing with a Magistrate.

These hearings take place during regular work days, and on the weekends and holidays.

If you have a permanent residence in Fiji, you will be charged and may be released, and then you will be asked to attend court on a set date.

Criminal penalties vary from country to country.

There are some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Fiji, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Health-care facilities in Fiji's urban areas are adequate for routine medical problems.

In the rural areas, staff training is limited and there are often shortages of supplies and medications.

Travelers should carry adequate supplies of any needed prescription medicines, along with copies of their prescriptions, the generic name of the drugs, and a supply of preferred over-the-counter medications.

Emergency response is extremely limited.

Ambulance availability is minimal, and ambulances are often poorly equipped and staffed.

Two major hospitals, the Lautoka Hospital in the western city of Lautoka and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, provide limited emergency and outpatient services.

A recompression chamber at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva can treat decompression sickness (See also Special Circumstances, Water Sports).

A private hospital in Suva provides Western-style medical care, and other hospitals and clinics provide a limited range of health services.

Medical emergencies may be evacuated to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States or elsewhere can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Medevac to Australia or NZ will only be considered if patient has adequate insurance or upfront payment which can be expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars.

In some cases, medevac to Australia or NZ can require a medical visa.

Dengue fever, carried by infected mosquitoes, occurs throughout the country of Fiji, especially during the rainy season.

Traffic Safety

While in Fiji, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traffic moves on the left in Fiji.

While most roads in urban areas are paved, they are poorly maintained.

Roads outside the city are usually not paved.

In the city, be especially attentive when driving after dark.

Outside of the city, it is best to avoid driving after dark except in emergency or exceptional circumstances.

Insufficient lighting, stray animals, unwary pedestrians, and potholes make driving dangerous and particularly hazardous at night.

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Airports - total

28

Airports with Paved Runways

4

Railways

371 Miles 597 Kilometers

Roadways- total

2,138 Miles 3,440 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

1,048 Miles 1,686 Kilometers

Waterways

126 Miles 203 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda

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Telephones

136,800

Cell Phones

437,000

Internet Users

80,000

Internet Country Code

.fj

Internet Hosts

17,088

Broadcast Media

• Fiji TV, a publicly traded company, operates a free-to-air channel as well as Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services
• state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations - 2 public broadcasters and 4 commercial broadcasters with multiple repeaters
• 5 radio stations with repeaters operated by Communications Fiji, Ltd
• transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• assessment: Modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center
• Domestic: Telephone or radiotelephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 per 100 persons
• International: Country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

863,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

928,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

17,810

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Anthem History

• Adopted 1970
• known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride)
• adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics

Anthem Lyrics

Meda Dau Doka - Fijian Version Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani Biu na i tovo tawa savasava Chrs...

Me bula ga ko Viti Ka me toro ga ki liu Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu Me ra liutaki na tamata E na veika vinaka Me oti kina na i tovo ca Me da dau doka ka vinakata na vanua E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani Me sa biu na i tovo tawa yaga Bale ga vei kemuni na cauravou e Viti Ni yavala me savasava na vanua Ni kakua ni vosota na dukadukali Ka me da sa qai biuta vakadua

Anthem Lyrics English

Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji As we stand united under noble banner blue And we honour and defend the cause of freedom ever Onward march together God bless Fiji For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride.

For Fiji ever Fiji her name hail far and wide, A land of freedom , hope and glory to endure what ever befall.

May God bless Fiji Forever more!

Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji Shores of golden sand and sunshine, happiness and song Stand united , we of Fiji, fame and glory ever Onward march together God bless Fiji.