Residence Permit on Assured Income

The Fiji Residence Permit on Assured Income allows foreign nationals with sufficient offshore assets and passive income to reside in Fiji without engaging in local employment. Established under Section 9(2)(b) of the Immigration Act 2003 and Section 48 of the Immigration Regulations 2007, the permit is aimed at retirees and financially independent persons aged 45 and above who can support themselves from foreign-sourced income such as pensions, investment returns, or other offshore assets. The program is administered by the Ministry of Immigration with applications processed through the IMMI HUB online portal.

• Non-citizen aged 45 years or older
• Sufficient offshore assets and assured passive income to remain financially self-sufficient
• Must not seek or engage in employment in Fiji
• Initial deposit of FJD 100,000 in a resident account at a local Fijian bank upon permit approval (waivable if the applicant has purchased property in Fiji of equivalent or greater value)
• Annual deposit of FJD 30,000 for a family of 2, or FJD 40,000 for a family of up to 5 members
• Valid health insurance
• No nationality restrictions

Principal applicant:

• Request letter explaining the purpose of the application
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (less than 6 months old)
• Certified copy of passport bio-data page
• Certified copy of current immigration arrival stamp
• Latest offshore bank statements (in Fijian currency equivalent) for new applications; latest local bank statements for extensions
• Retired Scheme Statement (if applicable)
• Police report from country of citizenship (valid within 12 months)
• Medical report (valid within 3 months)
• Signed terms and conditions acknowledgment

Each dependant:

• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Certified birth certificates
• Certified marriage or kinship certificates
• Police report — local or from country of residence (valid within 12 months)
• Medical report (valid within 3 months)

All non-English documents must be translated and certified by a registered translator.

The permit is granted for up to 3 years and is renewable upon continued compliance with all conditions. The extension application fee is FJD 650.05. For renewals, local (Fiji) bank statements replace offshore bank statements, and a local Fiji police report is required instead of an overseas one. There is no minimum residency requirement — the permit can be maintained without entering Fiji and allows multiple entries throughout its validity.

Spouse and dependent children may be included on the same application. Additional annual deposit requirements apply: FJD 30,000 per year for a family of 2 (principal applicant plus one dependant), and FJD 40,000 per year for a family of up to 5 members. Each dependant must submit their own documentation package. Families of more than 5 members should contact the Ministry directly.

Fiji operates a residence-based tax system. Tax residents — defined as persons whose permanent home is in Fiji or who are present for more than half the income year — are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates: 0% on the first FJD 30,000, 18% on FJD 30,001–50,000, 20% on FJD 50,001–270,000, rising to 39% on income over FJD 1,000,000. Temporary residents (those whose stay is not permanent) are taxed only on Fiji-sourced income, with foreign-sourced income exempt. Non-residents pay tax from the first dollar at rates between 20% and 39%. Permit holders who qualify as tax residents must register with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and file annual tax returns.

Applications are submitted online through the IMMI HUB portal (immihub.immigration.gov.fj) or in person at the Ministry of Immigration, 40 Robertson Road, Suva. The application fee is FJD 650.05. Standard processing time is 21 working days, though actual timelines vary depending on document completeness and verification requirements.

Upon approval, the applicant must deposit FJD 100,000 in a resident account at a local Fijian bank before the permit is issued (or provide proof of property purchase of equivalent value). Applicants are notified of the decision by email. Repatriation of funds out of Fiji requires prior clearance from the Immigration Department before the Reserve Bank of Fiji will process the request. Overstaying a permit incurs a FJD 180 penalty, which must be paid before the status can be regularised.

Permit holders may apply for a Permanent Residence Permit under the Immigration Act 2003 after meeting the required residency criteria. Fijian citizenship through naturalisation under the Citizenship of Fiji Act 2009 requires at least 5 years of lawful presence in Fiji within the 10 years prior to application, demonstrated good character, knowledge of an official language, and intention to continue residing in Fiji. The naturalisation fee is FJD 5,750. Fiji permits dual citizenship.