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Fiji


Doing Business In Fiji

  1. Fiji's overall Doing Business 2013 ranking is 60 out of 185 economies, recording a 6 point decrease compared to last year. This decrease reflects lower scores for 8 out of 10 indicators.
  2. According to the latest Enterprise Surveys (2009), the top 3 obstacles to running a business in Fiji include Political Instability, Labor Regulations, and Crime, Theft, and Disorder. The percentage of firms in Fiji paying for security is 57.3%, compared to 51.3% for the region and 57.5% for all countries surveyed.
  3. Fiji’s economic freedom score is 57.3, making its economy the 105th freest in the 2012 Index. Its overall score is 3.1 points lower than last year due to considerable declines in property rights and freedom from corruption. Fiji is ranked 18th out of 41 countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score is below the world and regional averages.

Source: World Bank

 

Visa Information

Visas & travel permits
You'll need to have an onward ticket and a passport valid for at least three months longer than your intended stay to get a visa. A free tourist visa for four months is granted on arrival to citizens of more than 100 countries, including: most countries belonging to the British Commonwealth, North America, much of South America and Western Europe, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and many others. (Check www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/fiji_faqs.shtml for a full list.)
 
Nationals from countries excluded from the list will have to apply for visas through a Fijian embassy prior to arrival.
 
Those entering Fiji by boat are subject to the same visa requirements as those arriving by plane. Yachts can only enter through the designated ports of Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka. Yachts have to be cleared by immigration and customs, and are prohibited from visiting any outer islands before doing so. Yachties need to apply to the Ministry for Fijian Affairs (www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/m_fijian_affairs.shtml) for special written authorisation to visit the Lau Group.
 
Visitors cannot partake in political activity or study, and work permits are needed if you intend to live and work in Fiji for more than six months. Foreign journalists will require a work visa if they spend more than 14 days in Fiji.
 
Visa extensions
Tourist visas can be extended for up to six months by applying through the Immigration Department (331 2672; Government Bldg, Suva). You'll need to show an onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds and your passport must be valid for three months after your proposed departure.

Business Etiquette

General Business Hours

Fijians are not known for their punctuality and usually adhere to 'Fiji time'. Post offices and most shops and cafés open between 8am and 9am and close at around 5pm weekdays, or 1pm on Saturday. Banks are open 9am to 4pm on weekdays, though some close at 3pm on Friday. A few Internet cafés and shops are open for limited hours on Sunday but the general rule is to assume everything will be closed. For indigenous Fijians it is a day for church, rest and spending time with family.
 
Restaurants generally open for lunch (11am to 2pm) and dinner (6pm to 9pm or 10pm) from Monday to Saturday as well as dinner on Sunday. Many remain open from 11am to 10pm. Bars in Suva and Nadi are open from late afternoon to around midnight on weeknights but extend their hours into early morning from Thursday to Saturday. Resort bars have more flexible schedules and cater to guests' drinking preferences (ie daiquiris at 10am).
 
Government offices are open from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4pm Friday.
 
Many places in Fiji close for lunch from 1pm to 2pm.