Strengthening Fiji’s Border Management Capacity Project – Assessment and Recommendations 2021

Original Language
English
ISBN
978-92-9268-214-9
ISBN (PDF)
978-92-9268-213-2
Number of Pages
134
Reference Number
PUB2021/193/R
Date of upload

15 fév 2022

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Strengthening Fiji’s Border Management Capacity Project – Assessment and Recommendations 2021

This report presents a gender-sensitive rapid assessment of Fiji’s border management policies and processes, and responses to COVID-19 conducted in 2021 through consultations with the Fijian Immigration Department and relevant border agencies. The report was produced to understand the current immigration and border management policies and processes in place, their effectiveness in practice, and an analysis of the impact and risks of COVID-19 pandemic on Fiji’s immigration, border management and health security response.  It also outlines a number of key recommendations and action plan for the Fijian Immigration Department.

  • Foreword 
  • Acknowledgements 
  • List of acronyms and expressions used 
  • 1. Introduction and Background 
    • 1.1 Terms of Reference 
    • 1.2 Methodology 
  • 2. Global development and policy background 
    • 2.1 Linkages to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Fiji Development Strategy 
    • 2.2 Introduction to the role of immigration management 
    • 2.3 Developments in immigration management 
      • 2.3.1 Integrated border management 
  • 3. Assessment of Fiji’s current immigration and border management policies and processes 
    • 3.1 Structure and mandate 
    • 3.2 Staffing and budget 
    • 3.3 Management controls 
      • 3.3.1 Audit findings and financial management 
      • 3.3.2 Standard operating procedures and related governance 
      • 3.3.3 Management data 
      • 3.3.4 Anti-corruption and internal fraud control measures 
    • 3.4 Staff training 
    • 3.5 The regulatory framework
      • 3.5.1 Immigration Act and Regulations - general
      • 3.5.1.1 Responsibilities of employers and educational institutions 
        • 3.5.1.2 Discretion 
        • 3.5.1.3 Structure of visas and permits 
        • 3.5.1.4 Carrier responsibilities and advance passenger information 
        • 3.5.1.5 Powers 
        • 3.5.1.6 Management of overstayers 
        • 3.5.1.7 Recent amendments
      • 3.5.2 Online services and payments 
      • 3.5.3 Passport and citizenship legislation 
      • 3.5.4 Immigration policy development 
    • 3.6 Border control arrangements 
      • 3.6.1 Border risk management and API 
      • 3.6.2 ETA and visa on arrival (VOA) arrangements 
      • 3.6.3 Identity and intent checking at the border 
      • 3.6.4 Powers and management controls 
    • 3.7 Service delivery model and digital transformation 
      • 3.7.1 Forms and checklists 
      • 3.7.2 Agency website 
      • 3.7.3 New online visa and permit form 
      • 3.7.4 Supporting legislation 
      • 3.7.5 Funding models 
    • 3.8 Visas and permits function 
    • 3.9 Passports and citizenship function 
    • 3.10 Information management systems 
      • 3.10.1 Current systems 
      • 3.10.2 Potential other IBMS suppliers 
      • 3.10.3 Disaster recovery 
      • 3.10.4 Donor support 
    • 3.11 Human rights and international obligations 
    • 3.12 Compliance and investigations function 
    • 3.13 Summary of findings and recommendations
      • 3.13.1 Administrative and operational arrangements 
      • 3.13.2 Regulatory framework 
      • 3.13.3 Information management 
  • 4. Assessment of the COVID-19 response
    • 4.1 Introduction 
    • 4.2 Legislative and policy framework 
      • 4.2.1 Legislation 
      • 4.2.2 Operational and policy framework 
    • 4.3 Sanitary procedures and effective border control 
    • 4.4 Measures to regularize stranded migrants 
    • 4.5 Broader human rights considerations 
    • 4.6 Pathways to re-opening the border 
      • 4.6.1 Proof of vaccination and health status 
      • 4.6.2 Health ETAs and digital border declarations 
      • 4.6.3 Travellers from smaller pacific island States 
    • 4.7 Summary of recommendations 
  • Annex 1 – Example visa/permit structure in regulations 
  • Annex 2 – Example API legislation 
    • 3.1 Example API provisions in an Act 
    • 3.2 Example API Regulations 
  • Annex 3 – Example business requirements for a pacific border management system 
  • Annex 4 – Example revised checklist 
  • Annex 5 – Briefing: Advance passenger information 
    • What is API? 
    • The international legal framework 
    • Technological considerations and practical applications 
  • Annex 6 – References and list of literature and online material reviewed