Visa
Solomon Islands issues visas to foreign nationals wishing to visit Solomon Islands or those wishing to stay in the country for a longer term. Exemptions are given to people with diplomatic privileges or foreign nationals working for the Solomon Islands Government. Please contact the Immigration Division to find out more.
The Immigration Division provides a number of visas for immigrants who intend to enter the Solomon Islands for various purposes. These include both short term and long term visas. Special visas such as protected person visas for trafficked persons can also be issued by the Division. Please contact the Division to find out more about these special visas
Short term visa
Short term visas are offered to foreign nationals who wish to visit the Solomon Islands for a short term stay. This can be for a maximum period of 3 months or 12 months depending on the visa type.
Under the short term visa, there are three (3) types;
Business Visa -Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands for business purpose. The minimum period of stay for visa holders is 6 weeks with a maximum combined period of 90 days. The Immigration Division’s Border Control Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Extended Stay Visitor Visa -Allow holders to extend their stay in the Solomon Islands beyond the time allowed under the visitor visa. The minimum period of stay for visa holders is 6 months or a maximum period of 12 months. The Immigration Division’s Border Control Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Visitor Visa -Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands for a short term visit as a tourist or as someone visiting friends of family. The minimum period of stay for visa holders is 6 weeks with a maximum combined period of 90 days. The Immigration Division’s Border Control Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Long term visa
Long term visas are offered to foreign nationals who plan to reside (usually for the purpose of setting up a business, investing, employment. Study, research, exchange or for religious purposes) must apply to the Director of Immigration for a visa to enter and reside prior to entering Solomon Islands. The maximum validity of a visa to enter and reside is two years. Current visa holders wishing to further extend their stay in Solomon Islands must apply to the Director of Immigration two months prior to the expiry of their existing visa with all requirements provided.
There are eight categories under the long term visa. The categories are as follows;
Long term special purpose (Volunteer) Visa – allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands as a volunteer. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration
Long term special purpose (Research) Visa -Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands as a researcher. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Long term special purpose (Other) Visa-Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands for a special purpose. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration
Long term Foreign National Dependent (Spouse) Visa-Allow the spouse of a holder of a long term visa (sponsor) to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands. The maximum period of stay for holders of this class of visa will be the same as that of their sponsor. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa on behalf of the Director of Immigration
Long term Family Relationship Visa-Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands for family relations purposes. The maximum period of stay for holders of this class of visa is 3 years. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Long term Foreign National Dependent (Child) Visa- Allow children (under 18 years of age) of holders of long term visas (sponsor) to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands. The maximum period of stay for holders of this class of visa will be the same as that of their sponsor. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Long term Student Visa -Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands for study purposes. The period of stay for student visa holders is less than a month longer than the duration of the course the student is attending. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
Long term Employment Visa -Allow holders to enter and stay in the Solomon Islands for employment purposes. The period of stay for visa holders is 2 years. Current visa holders wanting to extend their stay in Solomon Islands must apply to the Director of Immigration two months prior to the expiry of their existing visa with all requirements provided. The Immigration Division’s Permit Unit is responsible for processing this visa class on behalf of the Director of Immigration.
It is advisable that before traveling to Solomon Islands, it is important to check what visa you are applying for the purpose of your travel. This is to ensure that you submit the correct application to the Immigration Department.
For New Zealand citizens wishing to visit Solomon Islands as visitors, you are not required to apply for visitors visa in advance. Visas are issued at port of entry upon your arrival in Solomon Islands subject to traveler meeting the Immigration requirements. However, New Zealand citizens traveling for other purposes to Solomon Islands must apply for the appropriate visa. For example, if traveling to work, must apply for a long term employment visa from the Immigration Division and work permit from the Labour Division.
For more information regarding Long Term Visa, please check the following link http://commerce.gov.sb/departments-units/immigration/visas/i-want-to-apply-for-a/long-term-visa.html. For purposes of work permit, please check the following link for application form http://www.labour.gov.sb/application-forms/
When traveling to Solomon Islands, it is important to take note of the following immigration requirement;
- Must be in possession of a valid passport (at least 6 months of intended travel) or other valid travel documents.
- An onward air ticket which can be used to travel from Solomon Islands to other countries which the visitor will be ask to enter.
- Must have sufficient funds to sustain himself/herself whilst in Solomon Islands.
- Must have valid visas to enter other countries (where required) from Solomon Islands.
If the above requirements are met, visitors will be granted a visitors permit upon arrival in Solomon Islands.
For visitors who are citizens of the following countries will not require prior approval from the Director of Immigration before entering Solomon Islands as a visitor.
| American Samoa | Andorra | Antigua and Barbuda | Argentina |
| Australia | Bahamas | Barbados | British Virgin Islands |
| Belize | Brunei | Canada | Cayman Islands |
| Cook Islands | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Estonia |
| Federated States of Micronesia | Fiji | French Polynesia | Fiji |
| Finland | France | Germany | Greece |
| Grenada | Guadeloupe | Guam | Hungary |
| Iceland | Ireland | Israel | Italy |
| Japan | Kiribati | Kuwait | Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxemburg | Maldives |
| Malta | Marshall Islands | Martinique | Monaco |
| Monserrat | Nauru | Netherlands | New Zealand |
| Niue | Norfolk Island | Northern Mariana Islands | Norway |
| Palau | Papua New Guinea | Pitcairn Island | Portugal |
| Poland | Puerto Rico | Republic of China (Taiwan) | Romania |
| Saba | Samoa | San Marino | Singapore |
| Slovenia | Slovakia | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia |
| Spain | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Sweden | Switzerland |
| Thailand | Tonga | Trinidad and Tobago | Tuvalu |
| United Kingdom | United States of America | Vanuatu | Wallis and Futuna |
For visitors who are citizens of countries not listed above, prior approval is needed from the Director of Immigration before entering Solomon Islands.
Director of Immigration
Immigration Division
Department of Commerce, Industries & Employment
P O Box G26
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Tel: +677 25907
Fax: +677 24870
Email: Owen.Rove@commerce.gov.sb
Supporting information the applicant should furnish the Director of Immigration with are:
- Copy of passport (main page with personal details)
- Copy of itinerary (preferably confirmed)
- State purpose of travel
- If visiting relatives or friends, please provide their address
- For tourism, please submit hotel name and address
- For business purposes, please present letter of support from the Company in Solomon Islands.
Conditions (visitor’s permit):
- The visitor will not behave in a manner prejudicial to peace or good order;
- The visitor will not engage in any business, profession or employment for reward or not unless with the approval of the Commissioner of Labour.
- The visitor will not engage in any religious vocations except with the approval of the Minister for Immigration.
- The visitor will not engage in research except with the approval of the Minister for Immigration.
- Other conditions which the Director of Immigration may impose.
For a period of 30 days a visitor may engage in business, profession or employment without complying with condition 2 above. However, a period of over and above 30 days must comply with condition 2 above. A visitor may remain in Solomon Islands for any period or periods in the aggregate, not exceeding three months in any period of twelve months. A visitor’s permit can be extended beyond the 3 months for a further period or aggregated period of up to 3 months provided there are special circumstances justifying the extension.
Solomon Islands Passport Application
To apply for a new passport (and for renewal), you need these three(3) forms:
- Application for an Ordinary/Official or Diplomatic Passport – Form 1
- Application for an Ordinary/Official or Diplomatic Passport – Form 2
- Statutory Declaration Form – (Ensure you submit two copies of the statutory declaration form)
All passport applications should be lodged with the Solomon Islands Immigration Division in Honiara. The High Commission does not process Visa and Passport applications. For further information please refer to the Immigration Division website; http://commerce.gov.sb/departments-units/immigration/visas/i-want-to-apply-for-a.html.
COUNTRIES THAT SOLOMON ISLANDS CITIZENS CAN TRAVEL TO WITH FREE VISA ACCESS/VISA ON ARRIVAL
These are countries that Solomon Islands citizens (or passport holders) are given free visa access and visa on arrival. With regard to duration of stay as a visitor in those countries listed, it is advisable to check the Embassies, High Commissions or the Immigration Departments to avoid any immigration issues.
Asia
- Armenia
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Macao (SAR China)
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Timor-Leste
Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Africa
- Botswana
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comores Islands
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Gambia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Helena
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Oceania
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- French Polynesia
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Palau Islands
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Caribbean
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- Kitts and Nevis
- Lucia
- Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
Americas
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Peru
Middle East
- Iran
- Jordan
- Israel