The Immigration Department is aiming to finish all the backlog of passport applications within a week.

The Immigration Department is aiming to finish all the backlog of passport applications within a week.

Permanent Secretary for the office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan says the production rate is faster compared to the previous technology, therefore, the cues have reduced.

Karan says the Immigration Department has already printed close to 2000 e-passports, however, they are waiting for Fijians to collect their e-passports.

“We urge them if you applied for a passport and it is done then please come and collect your passport. We give them time to come and collect and our staff are working around the clock to do the biometrics as well and also the issuance of the passports.”

Karan adds the process now is far more efficient as the processing time has been reduced.

Meanwhile, in 6 weeks the immigration department has produced 13,000 passports.