Editor’s notice: This text is a part of an ongoing collection on retiring overseas. To see all of the articles within the collection, bounce to the top.
Fiji is such a dream trip vacation spot — a spot that appears so unique and ephemeral — that it’s tough to think about truly relocating there. However you’ll be able to, and doing so shouldn’t be notably arduous. The bar for demonstrating monetary independence (which is obligatory with a view to receive a long-term visa) is low, and assuming you’ll be able to meet it, this seaside paradise that served as the situation for each The Blue Lagoon and Survivor could be your new tropical dwelling.
“Fiji provides a heat, English-speaking surroundings, a tropical life-style, and inexpensive residing prices in comparison with Australia, New Zealand, or the U.S.,” says Dr. Laura Madrid Sartoretto, analysis lead on the international intelligence unit of International Residents Options (GCS). In keeping with GCS, Fiji’s inhabitants of practically 900,000 features a wholesome variety of expats from English-speaking international locations, particularly Australia (round 5,000 folks), New Zealand (round 3,500), the U.S. (round 3,000), Nice Britain (round 1,500), and Canada (round 1,000). These figures embody each retirees and seasonal residents.
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The nation’s 330 islands, round a 3rd of them inhabited, lie northeast of New Zealand and east of Australia. It takes three hours to fly from Auckland to Fiji’s Nadi Worldwide Airport, and 5 to fly from Sydney to Nadi. From Los Angeles, the flight is round 10 or 11 hours, which is a number of hours longer than the journey from LA to the Pacific escapes of Hawaii or French Polynesia — that’s how far-flung Fiji is. Expectedly, Fiji experiences a constant, sunny, tropical local weather all year long; the driest months are from Could to October.
The overwhelming majority of Fijians reside on two islands: Viti Levu, the place each Nadi and the capital of Suva are situated, and Vanua Levu. Although Suva has its personal airport, Nadi’s airport is taken into account the worldwide gateway. It takes 3.5 hours to drive from Nadi Worldwide Airport to Suva, alongside a southerly coastal route. If you wish to discover the lay of the land for attainable relocation, Fiji’s Intercontinental Golf Resort & Spa provides the final word comfortable touchdown on its 35 beachfront acres; it’s designed to evoke a Fijian village, so it provides visitors a way of the standard tradition. The resort is situated lower than an hour’s drive from Nadi’s airport.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Fiji Ethos
Kathy Koyamaibole, Tourism Fiji’s regional director for North America, says that “Fiji continues to be a perfect vacation spot for these seeking to retire in a spot that gives not solely serene pure environment, but additionally a deep sense of neighborhood and well-being. What units Fiji aside is its heat and welcoming tradition. Fijians are recognized for his or her hospitality, robust neighborhood values, and real sense of happiness that’s really infectious. For retirees, Fiji provides a slower tempo of life, vibrant expat communities, inexpensive actual property, and many coconuts to maintain you hydrated.”
Alternatives for beachcombing, snorkeling, and scuba abound, together with cultural websites like Nadi’s Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple. A recent, wholesome delicacies — heavy on seafood and farm produce — awaits. The ceviche-like Kokada, whipped up from fish and coconut milk — is the nationwide dish.
When it comes to the consolation stage for the LGBT neighborhood, Fiji is a combined bag. Although Fiji decriminalized homosexual intercourse 15 years in the past and has adopted legal guidelines banning employment discrimination and hate speech towards LGBT folks, marriage equality shouldn’t be obtainable within the nation. However like many Pacific island international locations and states (together with French Polynesia and Hawaii), Fijian society acknowledges a 3rd gender (males with feminine traits), right here referred to as vaka sa lewa lewa.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The place to retire in Fiji
A plurality of Fijians reside within the capital of Suva, which is dwelling to greater than 185,000, if you happen to embody the coastal metropolis’s higher metro space. Suva’s Colonial Warfare Memorial Hospital is the biggest in Fiji.
However Koyamaibole encourages retirees to look past Suva. “Many U.S. expats select to settle in areas like Savusavu, Pacific Harbour, or Nadi for his or her laid-back life-style, proximity to nature, and entry to native facilities,” she notes.
Savusavu, recognized for its sizzling springs, is situated in Vanua Levu, however you will get there from Nadi through a one-hour flight. Pacific Harbour is in Viti Levu (about an hour’s drive from Suva), and provides the acclaimed Paradise Seaside, in addition to river tubing, fishing, browsing, ziplining, a marina, and the Arts Village for procuring and eating. Nadi is a middle for Hindu tradition, whereas its financial system is closely reliant on tourism. Town’s Pacific Specialist Healthcare is extremely regarded.
Renting an condo is extraordinarily inexpensive: A one-bedroom within the metropolis heart will set you again solely round $700, whereas a three-bedroom will value double that.
As an island nation, Fiji is especially weak to sea-level rise and different local weather impacts. Fortunately, the Authorities of Fiji has developed plans to enhance the islands’ resilience, a few of which contain shifting coastal villages additional inland. In the event you hope to settle proper on the coast, it is best to analysis the potential vulnerability of every property you contemplate.
Visa, well being care and tax issues in Fiji
The Fiji Assured Revenue Visa (AIV) is the first retirement and passive earnings visa supplied by this South Pacific nation. “Designed for financially self-sufficient retirees and expats, the AIV grants renewable long-term residence to those that can show a safe, common earnings or substantial belongings,” Sartoretto says.
To qualify for the AIV, candidates have to be a minimum of 45 years outdated, present proof of lodging (rented or owned), maintain legitimate medical health insurance, and go a medical verify. Sartoretto explains that the majority expats and retirees use non-public clinics and hospitals, with worldwide medical health insurance strongly really useful. “Medical requirements in main cities comparable to Suva and Nadi are good, however restricted in rural areas,” she says.
As well as, the applicant should show monetary self-sufficiency: A minimal annual earnings of 30,000 in Fijian {dollars} (referred to as FJD) is required — that’s roughly $13,200 in U.S. {dollars} — from pensions, investments, annuities, or different fixed-income sources. (A partner and dependents beneath 18 are included.) Alternatively, Sartoretto says, candidates could present “ample belongings held in Fiji”: a financial institution deposit of a minimum of FJD 100,000 (round $44,000 USD). Candidates should agree to not search work from a Fijian employer.
“The AIV is legitimate for one yr and could be renewed yearly so long as monetary necessities and good character are maintained,” Sartoretto says (i.e., don’t run afoul of the regulation). AIV holders can personal property (with some restrictions on land sorts) and take part in area people life. “This system is particularly common amongst retirees from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., the U.Okay., and Canada,” she says. Citizenship is feasible after 5 years of residence beneath the AIV.
Lastly, Fiji operates a territorial tax system, that means solely earnings sourced inside Fiji is taxed for residents — not a difficulty for AIV holders. International pensions, offshore investments, and abroad earnings are typically not taxed in Fiji for AIV holders.
