Fiji Immigration

Exemption Status for Spouse of a Fiji Citizen Application

Exemption Status for Spouse of a Fiji Citizen is granted to a person legally married to a Fiji Citizen and holder of a valid foreign passport to enter, reside and study in the country. This section gives you an overview on how to apply for an Exemption Status under this category.

IMPORTANT:

Eligibility for New/Extension Applications

  • Applicant must be legally married to a Fiji Citizen.
  • If the applicant is applying from outside the country, his/her passport must be valid for more than one (01) year from the date of application lodgment and intended arrival into the country.
  • A Spouse of a Fiji Citizen is exempted from obtaining a student permit for the purpose of studying in tertiary institutions.
  • A Spouse of a Fiji Citizen must apply for a work permit if they intend to work in the country.
  • All documents must be submitted as per Exemption Status for Spouse of a Fiji Citizen Documentary Requirements.
This applies to the following:
  • Non-citizen
  • New/Extension
Criteria
  • The Department reserves all rights to acquire additional documents for further verification, as and when required.
  • Where a question in a particular section does not apply to you, please put N/A.
  • Providing false information in this application can lead to imprisonment or a fine or both.
  • If you are also applying for children under Exemption Status for Child of a Fiji Citizen Category, the same application form can be used to apply for this. The child(ren) are to be included in Part C of the application form, and the relevant documentary requirements must be submitted (refer Checklist; click here).
  • If the Fiji Citizen Spouse was born in Fiji and does not hold a valid Fiji Passport, a copy of his/her birth certificate along with a valid national photo ID such as Voter Registration Card / Driver’s License must be submitted.
  • If approved, Exemption Status will be granted for one (1) year initially (or less than this if the passport is valid for less than a year at the time of lodgment) and may be extended thereafter to the satisfaction of the Director of Immigration.
  • Exemption status granted remains valid as long as the holder remains legally married to his/her Fiji citizen spouse.
Documentary Requirements
  • Completed Exemption Application Form (New/Extension)
  • Request Letter (from Fiji Citizen) for Exemption as a spouse of a Fiji citizen
  • Copy of the applicant’s bio-data page of passport
  • Two [2] recent passport size photographs
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate
  • Proof of spouse’s Fiji Citizenship (e.g., bio data page of passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, etc.)
  • Police Report for Principal applicant [from country of citizenship or residence]
  • Medical Report for principal applicant [6 months validity from the date of lodging]
  • Copy of previous Exemption Status (if applicable)
You Must:
  • Complete the prescribed Exemption Status application form.
  • Submit the completed prescribed medical form; please ensure that the medical examiner has clearly indicated the applicable option(s) in Part 5 of Section D of the Medical Report Form.
  • Submit photographs less than 6 months old, of good quality color, full-face view of your head and shoulders, and taken against a plain or light-colored background.
  • Submit a certified/notarized copy of the marriage certificate.
  • Submit a signed and dated request letter from the Fiji Citizen spouse.
  • Submit translated certified copies of all non-English documents in English (by a registered translator).
  • Submit police clearance from the country of citizenship or residence in the initial application. If the applicant submits a police clearance from his/her country of residence, he/she also needs to provide proof of immigration status in that country, e.g., a copy of visa/permit.
  • A Spouse of a Fiji Citizen who has been residing in Fiji for more than a year on a valid permit is required to submit a local police clearance for the initial exemption status application.
  • For extension applications, a local police clearance is required (attach a receipt of lodgment only). However, a police clearance from the country of citizenship or residence will need to be submitted in the extension application if the applicant has been out of the country for more than a year since the exemption status was granted.
  • Lodge extension applications one (1) month prior to the expiry date of the exemption status.

Details:

Actual processing times may vary due to individual circumstances including:

  • Whether the applicant has lodged a complete application which includes all required documents;
  • Response to any requests for additional information
  • Time taken to perform required checks; and
  • Receiving additional information from external parties.

We will let you know when the decision is made on your application through email.

Further Enquires:

For further inquiries, please contact: [email protected]