The iTaukei Affairs Board is a statutory body working to ensure that the Government develops, maintains and promotes policies that will provide for the continued good governance and welfare of the iTaukei now and into the future.
Tourists travel to Fiji in different ways to experience the iTaukei* lifestyle that is being offered. The iTaukei Affairs Board is the issuing authority of cruising permits for yachts and Superyachts that plan to spend their holidays within the Fiji Group.
Whether you decide to make the trip to the iTaukei offices in Lautoka or Suva yourself, or contract an agent to do this for you, it is to the iTaukei Affairs Board that you must apply for your permit to cruise Fiji’s waters.
The following information gives a comprehensive guide to the process and the documentation that you will need to produce.
Purpose
The purpose of this permit is to allow bona fide visiting yachts to cruise around the Fiji Islands. This permit is:
- To ensure that Captain of the yacht and its crew are advised of the iTaukei protocol needed to visit iTaukei traditional fishing grounds;
- To inform the iTaukei traditional fishing ground made in a safe place for departure requirements. owners to welcome the visitors [you] and assist them should they need; and
- To allow the iTaukei communities to report any suspicious activities and/or any vessel that is accessing the iTaukei communities without the Government’s knowledge
Scope
The cruising permit around Fiji waters shall be issued by the iTaukei Affairs Board under the provision of the Fiji Customs Act to Yachts and Superyachts cruising around Fiji waters and traditional fishing boundaries.
Responsibility
The Principal Assistant Secretary (PSD) and any of his officers shall be responsible for issuing Cruising Permits.
Definitions
“Agent” – a registered Marina operating under the Fij Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) Marine Operators. Also refers to a recognized yacht / superyacht agent.
“Crew” – any person engaged in any capacity on board a yacht.
“Cruising Permit” – means the vessel permit issued by the Principal Assistant Secretary (PSD).
“Customs clearance” – certificate issued by the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority under the Customs Act Cap.
“Master” – the person in charge or in command of the yacht.
“Passport” – travel document.
“Superyacht” – as defined under Superyacht
Charter Decree 2010.
“Travel document” – proof of identification as defined under the Immigration Act.
Processes to be undertaken by iTaukei Affairs Board staff
Application for Cruising Permit
Application for cruising permit shall either be submitted through an agent or made personally to the Provincial Service Division.
Verification of Identity
- Verify the Master of the yacht’s identity with his or her passport.
- Verify the identity of the yacht and its colour with Customs Clearance and Certificate of Registration.
Issuing of Cruising Permit
- Enter the name of the Master of the yacht as it appears on the passport or travel document on the permit.
- Enter the name of the yacht as it appears on the Customs Clearance Certificate on the space provided on the permit.
- Enter the number of months they wish to cruise in Fiji waters on the permit.
- Enter the number of crews who shall be cruising on the yacht.
- Verify the information being typed on the electronic certificate before printing.
Superyacht Cruising Permit
Follow the process as specified above if an agent is lodging the application for cruising within the traditional fishing boundaries on behalf of the Master of the Superyacht.
Duration of Permit
The permit shall be issued up to a maximum of six (6) months. Should the yacht depart the Fiji waters within six months after being cleared by Fiji Island Revenue and Customs Authority will have its permit revoked as soon as it leaves Fiji waters.
Processing Time
The processing time is 1–3 days.
*The word ‘Fijian’ or ‘indigenous’ or ‘indigenous Fijian’ has been replaced with the word ‘iTaukei’ in all written laws, and all official documentation when referring to the original and native settlers of Fiji.
Richard Sella says
Hello, Bula,
I am making plans to sail to my home in Taveuni via permits and entrance at port in Suva or where ever instructed in the month of November.. I will be departing the Hawaiian Island early part of November and plan on arrival around end of November..
I am a Permit Resident of Fiji with my home in Tavenui,
I understand in reading the above that there is a 6 month Permit time line.. etc. However as a resident I do not plan on leaving my Fiji home as because as it stands I have been stuck in Hawaii for 12 months because of Covid… So I would like to know what is required of me as this is the first time I have come via my sailing vessel which is USA registered and plan on registering in Fiji once arrived.
Vanaka
Kind regards
Richard (Ric)
Sella