Public Notice
Guide for Applicants
Foreign Investment Registration Certificate
Issued under the Foreign Investment Act 2018 and the Foreign Investment Regulations 2019
1. Getting Started
To begin your application, you must first create an online account. Registration is free of charge. Select Register from the top of the portal and follow the prompts to create a new user account.
All information submitted through this portal is treated as strictly confidential.
2. The Registration Process
- General details Complete the application form with all required information. This process is not for company incorporation — company registration must be completed separately, after you have obtained your Foreign Investment Certificate.
- Business activities Review the sector you intend to invest in before applying. Refer to the official lists of reserved, restricted, and prohibited sectors. Activities not on these lists are generally open to foreign investment.
- Investors and shareholders You may include one or more shareholders, either individual investors or foreign entities. Complete the required details for each investor and upload their supporting information.
- Supporting documents The following must be uploaded to complete your application: a business plan; a bank statement or reference for each investor; passport identification page(s) for each investor; an original police clearance certificate for any investor intending to reside in Kiribati; a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment report, if applicable; and proof of payment of the application fee.
- Declaration and review You must declare that all information provided is accurate and complete. Review the application carefully before proceeding — any missing or incorrect field is marked with a red triangle.
- Payment and submission Pay the registration fee to the designated government account, using the reference number shown on your invoice. Upload proof of payment from your dashboard, then submit the application for review.
- Successful applications On successful assessment, the Investment Division of the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives will notify you and issue your Foreign Investment Certificate, which becomes available for download from your dashboard.
- Returned or refused applications An incomplete application, or one requiring clarification, may be returned with a reason attached. Check your dashboard and email regularly and respond promptly to any request. If an application is refused, the reason is recorded on your dashboard and you may appeal the decision.
3. Fees
The non-refundable registration fee is set according to your total proposed investment value:
| Total investment value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to AUD 25,000 | AUD 500.00 |
| AUD 25,001 – 250,000 | AUD 1,000.00 |
| Above AUD 250,000 | AUD 1,500.00 |
Payment does not guarantee registration. Your invoice, including the reference number to quote in your payment description, is generated once your application record is created.
4. After You Submit
Once submitted, your application moves into the Registry Office's review process. You can track progress at any time from your dashboard:
Status shows the current stage of your application — pending, under review, approved, or rejected. History gives a full timeline of what has happened, from submission through to a final decision. Documents lets you upload anything requested during review.
5. Questions
Do I need a company registered in Kiribati before I apply?
No. This process is for the Foreign Investment Registration Certificate itself, not company incorporation. Company registration with the Business and Company Registration units at MTCIC happens after you have obtained your certificate.
When do I pay the registration fee?
After your application details are saved, an invoice is generated with the exact amount and a reference number. Pay by bank transfer using that reference, then upload proof of payment before your application can be submitted.
Can I save my application and finish it later?
Yes. Progress is saved automatically as you move between steps, so you can return and continue where you left off.
What if I forget to upload a document?
The Documents tab on your dashboard always shows which required documents are still missing, and lets you upload them at any time before submission.
How do I check the status of my application?
Log in and open the Status tab on your dashboard, or the History tab for a full timeline of what's happened so far.
What happens if my application is refused?
The reason for refusal is recorded on your dashboard, and you may appeal the decision from there.
For further enquiries, contact the Investment Division, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives.