Research Permit is granted to a person to undertake research for the benefit of local universities/institutions or as a part of his/her professional or educational requirement. Authority is under Section 9(2) of the Fiji Immigration Act, 2003, an extract of which is provided below.

Fiji Immigration Act 2003 on the Issue, Extension or Variation of Permits

Section 9(1) The Permanent Secretary may, on application made in the approved form, and on payment of the prescribed fee, issue a permit to any person who is not an exempted person, including persons entitled to enter and reside in the Fiji Islands under section 16 of the Constitution.

Section 9(2) A permit in the approved form may be issued entitling the applicant to enter the Fiji Islands- (e) to reside for the purpose of research. 

Requirements to apply for a research permit are listed below:

• A properly filled application in the official form provided by Immigration.
• Certified copies of the applicant’s passport/s (bio-data page).
• Letter of consent and endorsement from the local institution/s where the research will be undertaken.
• Ministry of Education support letter.
• Medical reports conducted within three (3) months or less from the date of application.
• Police reports in respect of applicant from the country of his/her citizenship and/or residence where he/she has lived for twelve (12) months or more in the last ten (10) years.
• Sponsorship letter and/or financial standing of the applicant.
• For research undertaken for periods less than twelve (12) months – a certified copy of a return airline ticket.
• The requisite fee.

Source: https://www.immigration.gov.fj/research-permit

Climate Change Act 2021

Under Part 8 of Climate Change Act 2021 on Research, Data Collection, Reporting and Communications; it states that:

Collection of Research from Persons:

Any person who is undertaking research in Fiji is encouraged to provide the Director with a copy of any final research findings that relate to climate change, including final research findings –

1. formally submitted in satisfaction of some or all of the requirements of a degree or qualification either within or outside of Fiji; or

2. published online or in print, including in an academic journal.

Collection of research from Organisations:

1. The Director may request that any organization, including donor organisations, non-government organisations, tertiary institutions or other organisations, that fund or perform research in Fiji provide the Director with –

• details of the research activities from the date such activities are approved; and
• copy of any final research findings that relate to climate change and substantially draw upon research undertaken in Fiji within 14 days of those final research findings being published online or in print, including in an academic journal.

2. Organisations who fund or perform research in Fiji must –

• promptly respond to any requests made by the Director in accordance with subsection (1); and
• provide the requested details or final research findings to the extent that such details or research findings are not commercial or confidential in nature.

Source: Climate Change Act 2021, pg. 444-445