Fiji

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Fiji Department of Immigration

Embassy Finder: Fiji Missions Abroad

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	5 years lawful residence out of the 10 years immediately preceding the application
Language requirement	Adequate knowledge of the iTaukei (Fijian) language or Fiji Hindi
Civics test	No formal civics test; applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
Processing time	6—12 months
Naturalization fee	FJD 505 (approximately USD 230)
Dual citizenship	Not permitted under the 2013 Constitution
Citizenship by birth in Fiji	Yes, if at least one parent is a Fijian citizen at the time of birth
Citizenship by descent	Available to persons born abroad to at least one Fijian parent
Governing law	2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, Chapter 2; Citizenship of Fiji Act (Cap 82)

Dual Citizenship

Fiji does not permit dual citizenship. The 2013 Constitution, which came into force following the military-led constitutional process, explicitly prohibits holding Fijian citizenship alongside any other nationality.

Key provisions:

Section 6 of the 2013 Constitution states that a citizen of Fiji who acquires the citizenship of another country automatically ceases to be a citizen of Fiji.
A foreign national applying for Fijian citizenship must renounce all other citizenships before naturalization is granted.
There are no exceptions for EU nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or any other category. The prohibition is absolute.

Historical context: The 1997 Constitution had permitted dual citizenship, but this was reversed when the 2013 Constitution was promulgated under the government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama following the 2006 coup. The prohibition has remained politically contentious, particularly among the large Fijian diaspora in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

Diaspora impact: Tens of thousands of Fiji-born citizens who emigrated and naturalized elsewhere have lost their Fijian citizenship. Advocacy groups continue to push for the restoration of dual nationality provisions, but no legislative change has occurred as of 2026.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Sanguinis with territorial element)

A child born in Fiji acquires Fijian citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a citizen of Fiji at the time of the child’s birth (Section 5, 2013 Constitution).

Key notes:

Birth on Fijian soil alone is not sufficient — at least one parent must hold Fijian citizenship.
There is no unconditional jus soli. A child born in Fiji to two non-citizen parents does not acquire citizenship by birth.
Fiji follows the standard Pacific Island model of citizenship by descent with a birth-territory nexus.

By Descent

A person born outside Fiji acquires Fijian citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a Fijian citizen at the time of the birth (Section 5(b), 2013 Constitution).

Conditions:

The birth must be registered with the Fijian authorities (Department of Immigration or a Fijian diplomatic mission abroad).
If the parent acquired Fijian citizenship by descent only (and was also born abroad), additional requirements may apply to prevent indefinite generational transmission.

By Adoption

A child adopted by a Fijian citizen may acquire citizenship, provided:

The adoption is legally recognized under Fijian law.
The child is a minor at the time of adoption.
The adopting parent is a citizen of Fiji.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Fijian citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. A foreign spouse must apply for naturalization and meet the standard residency and other requirements. There is no reduced residency period specifically for spouses, though the Minister for Immigration may exercise discretion.

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Lawful residence	5 years out of the preceding 10 years
Good character	Must be of good character and not have been convicted of a serious offense
Language	Adequate knowledge of iTaukei or Fiji Hindi
Intent to reside	Must intend to continue residing in Fiji
Renunciation	Must renounce all other citizenships before naturalization is granted
Oath of allegiance	Must take the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Fiji
Fee	FJD 505

Naturalization is granted at the discretion of the Minister responsible for immigration. There is no automatic right to naturalization even if all conditions are met.

Loss and Renunciation

Automatic Loss

A Fijian citizen who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country automatically ceases to be a citizen of Fiji. This is immediate and requires no administrative action — the loss occurs by operation of law under Section 6 of the 2013 Constitution.

Voluntary Renunciation

A citizen may renounce Fijian citizenship by written declaration to the Minister, provided:

The person holds or has been assured citizenship of another country.
The renunciation will not render the person stateless.

Deprivation

The government may revoke citizenship obtained by naturalization if:

It was obtained by fraud, false representation, or concealment of a material fact.
The person has shown disloyalty to Fiji.
The person has been ordinarily resident outside Fiji for a continuous period of 7 years and has not maintained registration with a Fijian consulate.

Restoration of Nationality

Former Fijian citizens who lost citizenship by acquiring another nationality may apply for re-naturalization. However, this requires:

Renouncing the foreign citizenship first.
Meeting the standard naturalization requirements (including residency).
Ministerial discretion applies.

There is no simplified or automatic restoration pathway for former citizens. The absence of such a mechanism remains a significant grievance among the Fijian diaspora.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

A child found in Fiji whose parents are unknown is presumed to be a citizen of Fiji unless evidence to the contrary is established.
Fiji is not a party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
The 2013 Constitution contains a general safeguard against statelessness for children born in Fiji who would otherwise be stateless, granting them Fijian citizenship.

Document Checklist

Completed application form (Form C — Application for Citizenship)

Valid passport (current and any previous passports)

Birth certificate (with certified English translation if applicable)

Evidence of lawful residence in Fiji (immigration stamps, permits, employment records)

Police clearance certificate (from Fiji and all countries of residence in the past 10 years)

Proof of language proficiency (iTaukei or Fiji Hindi)

Evidence of renunciation of all other citizenships

Marriage certificate (if applicable)

Two passport-sized photographs

Character references (typically 2—3 from Fijian citizens)

Statutory declaration of intent to reside in Fiji

Payment of prescribed fee (FJD 505)

Sources

2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji — Chapter 2 (Citizenship). https://www.fiji.gov.fj/About-Fiji/Constitution
Citizenship of Fiji Act (Cap 82) — Primary legislation governing citizenship acquisition and loss. Available via the Fiji Attorney General’s Office.
Fiji Department of Immigration — Official citizenship and immigration services. https://www.immigration.gov.fj/
Fiji Government Official Portal — Diplomatic missions and government services. https://www.fiji.gov.fj/
UNHCR — Nationality and Statelessness in the Pacific — Regional overview of citizenship laws in Pacific Island nations. https://www.unhcr.org/

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