Eight Fijians who overstayed their visitors permits in Tuvalu have been banned from entering the country.
A Tuvalu woven mat Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
The Fiji nationals were slapped with a one year ban and are being returned to Fiji on the MV Manufolau.
The government says the Immigration Department had issued eight Prohibited Immigrant Notices.
Senior immigration officer Leilani Saitala says the eight Fijians failed to extend their visitors permits after the one month granted by the department on arrival in Tuvalu.
She says visitors to Tuvalu get a free visitor's permit of up to one month, and this can be extended for up to 3 months, but carries a charge.
