Fiji - Business TravelFiji - Business Customs
Business Customs
Business in Fiji tends to be conducted in a less formal manner than in many other countries. The use of first names is common. Business meetings often begin with small talk and sometimes proceed more slowly than an equivalent meeting in the United States.
It is advisable to reconfirm business appointments and meeting arrangements. However, U.S. businesspeople should not be unduly surprised when kept waiting beyond scheduled times. In the government and financial sector, men usually wear collared shirts and ties during work hours. Very casual attire, including shorts, should be avoided. Evening functions are normally informal, unless otherwise specified. Many offices wear Bula/Aloha shirts on Fridays.
Fiji adopts a relatively conservative approach toward Sunday religious observance. A number of shopping centers in major urban areas in Suva, Nadi, and Lautoka are only open for a limited number of hours on Sunday, if at all. There are sizeable minorities of Hindus and Muslims in the population who have special religious observances regarding food and drink.
Fiji uses the metric system of weights and measures. Dates are written in the order of day, month, year (for example, 10 January 2019 or 10/01/19). In writing numbers, commas denote thousands and periods denote fractions as follows: $1,000.50, as in the United States.
Travel Advisory
See the State Department’s website for any current travel advisories.
Visa Requirements
A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay, a ticket for return or onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds to cover travel expenses are required for entry into Fiji. Entry visas are granted on arrival for a stay of up to four months for U.S. nationals. Business travelers do not require special visas to visit Fiji. Visas may be extended for up to six months on application to the Department of Immigration in Suva, Lautoka, or Nadi. Those wishing to reside and work in Fiji, even on a temporary basis, require proper authority to do so before arrival. In most cases, prospective employers will make necessary arrangements to sponsor such people.
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links:
State Department Visa Website
Fiji Embassy in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Embassy Suva
Currency
The Fiji dollar is the basic unit of currency. Other currencies may be exchanged at hotels, banks, and foreign exchange counters. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas. ATMs and EFTPOS machines can also be found in most of the urban areas. The Reserve Bank of Fiji reported that more than 500 credit and debit card holders were affected by credit card skimming in 2015, which remains a threat..
Telecommunications/Electronics
Fiji’s telecommunication systems are fairly well developed, though costly. Fiji has international connectivity through satellite and the Southern Cross Cable fiber optic network. The high speed network can deliver a 240Gbps (capacity of submarine cable system) and a direct and secure bandwidth from Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
Mobile phone service is the most popular means of communication but may provide limited connectivity outside urban areas or on the outer islands. The three mobile service providers include Vodafone Fiji, Digicel, and Inkk Mobile, providing 3G/4G long-term evolution mobile technology for data, voice and text services. The Vodafone Fiji Network uses the 1800 MHz frequency, with subscribers exceeding 760,000 in 2018. SIM and customer registration is mandatory in Fiji as part of government regulations. Wi-Fi is also available in most major resorts and hotels.
Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) is one of the largest facilities-based providers of fixed line communications and network services in Fiji. Its 4G+ network compliments its fixed broadband or fixed line infrastructure. Its network throughout Fiji consists of 55 telephone exchanges and connects over 101,000 customers in all major towns. The range of products and services offered by TFL include data networking services, managed services, colocation, cloud services and voice products.
Household electrical current is 220 volt, 50 cycle and the plugs are three pronged, as used in Australia and New Zealand.
Transportation
U.S. business travelers to Fiji should not encounter unexpected difficulties and can use normal reservation services for travel and accommodation. Visitors are advised to take into account the requirement to have a valid Fiji visa (obtainable upon arrival), a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay, a ticket for return or onward travel to another country, and proof of sufficient funds to cover travel expenses.
Fiji is at the crossroads of the South Pacific, central among the southern Pacific island nations, and a mid-way stop for some flights from Australia and New Zealand to America. On average, there are thirty international flights landing in or departing Fiji daily.
Fiji’s national carrier, Fiji Airways, flies to six Pacific island nations as well as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. The airline offers code share flights with American Airlines between Fiji and the United States. Other airlines servicing Fiji are AirCalin, Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, Air Vanuatu, Jetstar, Korean Airlines, Our Airline, Qantas, Solomon Airlines, and Virgin Australia.
Fiji has two international airports, both on Viti Levu, the largest island. The majority of international flights arrive and depart from Nadi (pronounced Nandi) on Viti Levu’s west coast. The other international airport is on the eastern side at Nausori, outside the capital of Suva, which has flights within the Pacific.
Fiji Link, a Fiji Airways subsidiary, is Fiji’s main domestic airline. Northern Air provides special charted flights for specific inter-island routes. High fuel costs result in increasing inter-island fares.
Visitors to Fiji may drive on a valid driver's license from their home country for the same class of vehicle or with a valid international driver's license. Driving is on the left side of the road. The maximum speed limit on the open road is 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph), and 50 kilometers per hour (30 mph) in urban areas. In specified areas for schools and industrial areas, the speed limit may range from 20-30 kilometers per hour (12-19 mph). Rental cars are available from internationally known companies at Fiji’s gateway airports and in major urban areas, but arrangements should be made in advance.
Language
Fiji is an English-speaking country, although Fijian and Hindi are also widely spoken.
Health
Fiji is free from malaria, yellow fever, and many tropical diseases endemic to tropical countries. Typhoid, dengue fever, chikungunya, and leptospirosis have periodically been reported. The country has a fairly basic medical system, but emergency care and pharmacies is largely restricted to urban centers. Tap water in Suva, Lautoka, and the other major towns has been treated but may not always be safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available. Outside of these urban centers and large resorts, tap water should not be considered potable.
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
The government’s business hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, with an hour for lunch generally between 12 noon and 2:00pm, from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the government closes early at 4:00pm. However, private businesses are usually open from 8:30am to 5:00pm, while banks operate daily from 9:30am to 4:00pm.
Table 5: Fiji 2019 Official Holidays
Date Holiday
January 01 New Year’s Day
April 19 Good Friday
April 22 Easter Monday
June 29 National Sports Day
September 9 Constitution Day
October 10 Fiji Day
October 28 Diwali
November 11 Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
Machinery and equipment imported for temporary use and for a specific project in Fiji and then re-exported, may be allowed as “Privileged Goods” on a check-in/check-out basis, without payment of normal duties. Security in the form of a cash or bond must be deposited with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service at the time of importation. Upon re-exportation of such goods, the cash deposit will be refunded or bond cancelled.
Personal and household effects may be imported free of fiscal/excise duty, though this is subject to conditions set out by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service. For the importation of personal motor vehicles, normal duties must be paid.