Fijians living in Europe can apply for ePassports on the continent following the establishment of the electronic passport processing services at the Fijian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium. This deployment follows the introduction of the new electronic passports by Fiji's Immigration Department in September 2019, reports the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The new electronic passports or e-passports will consolidate security requirements at Fiji's borders and ease travel for Fijian passport holders at ports of entry around the globe. It contains a new range of security features that will make it much more difficult for people to enter the country illegally, establishing a more secure Fijian passport. The new passport is designed to avoid forgery, identity theft, passport tampering and reproduction. Fiji's Ambassador to Belgium, Ambassador Deo Saran said that establishing this new system at the Fiji Embassy will bring relief to those Fijians living in Europe and allow them to apply for the e-passports directly at the Embassy through submission of their biometric details. He highlighted that the introduction of e-passport brings border management system on par with other international systems. "The Embassy is inviting Fijians living in Europe to take advantage of this new service and to contact the Embassy for the application guidelines and processes. We are pleased that the Immigration Department recognises that this new service will benefit the Fijian diaspora living here in Europe", said Ambassador Saran who is accredited to 10 other European countries. Former New Zealand rugby union player and current coaching consultant in Paris, Joe Rokocoko, was the first Fijian to apply for a replacement e-passport at the Fiji Embassy and thanked the Government and the Embassy for providing this service. "It's perfect especially for Fijian families living in France and near to Belgium. Fijians living in Europe have been asking for a place to lodge their passport applications and this is a positive thing for us and positive for the other families that will be coming soon to lodge their applications", said Mr Rokocoko.
Fijians can now apply for ePassports in Europe
