SOLOMON Islands citizens’ resident and students in the Republic of Fiji can now initiate applications for new passports and renewal of passports at the High Commission of Solomon Islands in Suva.
This was made possible through placement within the High Commission of Solomon Islands in Suva of Immigration Officials, Mr. Selwyn Ramoni and Mr. Willie Wasi. The two officials arrived in Suva the previous week to set up the Immigrations Mobile Enrolment Unit (MEU) at the High Commission.
Senior Immigration Officer Mr. Ramoni explained that the MEU facility is used to collect applicants’ details including fingerprints, passport photo and signature which are security features for Solomon Islands passports. Once these data are collected they are conveyed to Honiara for printing of passports and returned to the High Commission for distribution to applicants.
The Immigration officials pointed out that given the printing of passports will for security reasons be done in Honiara, the process will take some time.
Mr. Ramoni also said that the High Commission will also have the capacity to issue Certificates of Identity. He said, once booklets for Certificate of Identity are made available at the High Commission in Suva these can also be issued here.
Welcoming the Immigration Officials to Suva, High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, HE Joseph Ma’ahanua said the initiative for the Mission to facilitate enrolment for new and renewal of passports will make life easy for Solomon Islands citizens and students living in Fiji. This is a long overdue facility that was made through collaboration between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration.
Republic of Fiji has always been the host of the highest number of Solomon Islanders overseas over the years.
Immigration Division officials Mr. Selwyn Ramoni and Willie Wasi will remain at the High Commission in Suva for a while, during which time they will provide training to Mission Staff on the procedures for enrolment for new passport.
