Solomon Islands Entry Rules: New Electronic Visa System Explained

If you are visiting Solomon Islands as a tourist, you must now apply for a tourist visa through the new Solomon Islands Immigration Division visa portal. The visa costs 100 US dollars in total (50 US dollars visa fee plus 50 US dollars online lodgement fee, according to the Immigration Division; the UK government states 100 US dollars). The permitted stay is 3 months per entry. There have been some delays with the new electronic portal, so apply well in advance of your planned travel date. While the new system rolls out, it may still be possible to obtain a tourist visa on arrival, but this is not guaranteed.

Who this affects

This guide is for people travelling on a full British citizen passport from the UK, based on the UK government's understanding of Solomon Islands' current rules for the most common types of travel. The authorities in Solomon Islands set and enforce entry rules. If you are not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Solomon Islands Embassy in Belgium.

If you are visiting as a tourist, you must apply for a tourist visa through the new portal. There is a separate visa if you are travelling for business. Long-term visas such as working resident, accompanying family, permanent resident, student and entertainer visas are not yet available in the e-visa portal; for now, those applications are accepted manually (paper-based form) and must be lodged through the Solomon Islands Immigration visa service counter.

What to do step by step

1. Check your passport. To enter Solomon Islands, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
2. Gather your documents. For the tourist visa you will need: a copy of your passport (bio data page), a cover letter stating the purpose of visit, a copy of your travel itinerary including return or onward air ticket, hotel booking confirmation (if accommodated at a hotel), and proof of sufficient funds to support yourself. The cover letter should be addressed to: The Director, Solomon Islands Immigration Division, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, PO Box G26, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
3. Apply online. Go to the Solomon Islands Immigration Division visa portal and click "Apply Online". Register an account using a valid email address and create a secure password. Log in, complete the online visa application form, attach all required documents, and submit. Make sure your email address is active, as all application updates and notifications will be sent there.
4. Wait for your visa grant letter. After you apply online, log into your account to check your visa status. You will be notified by email once a decision is made. If approved, your visa grant letter will be sent to the email you provided. Your visa is valid from the date you entered Solomon Islands if you applied from outside Solomon Islands, or from the date your visa is granted if you applied within Solomon Islands.
5. Travel with your documents. You must present a copy of your visa grant letter when you enter Solomon Islands. Keep printed copies or screenshots of your visa documents with you when you travel, including the Visa Application Reference Number (VARN). You may be asked to show these documents to immigration or airline staff.

Costs and timing

The UK government states the tourist visa costs 100 US dollars. The Solomon Islands Immigration Division lists the visa fee as 50 US dollars plus an online lodgement fee of 50 US dollars. The permitted stay is 3 months per entry, and the visa is valid for up to 1 year with multiple entries. An extension of stay may be permitted; contact SI Immigration to discuss your individual circumstances. All extension applications must be submitted well in advance of the expiry of the current Entry Permit. The extension fee is 100 US dollars, paid at the Finance & Treasury cashier while you are in Solomon Islands, and the application is submitted at the SI Immigration visa service counter. Work is not permitted for this visa class.

Processing time for online applications may vary for different visa categories. All applications will be processed when submitted in the system. To prevent delays, attach all required documents with your application. There have been some delays with the new electronic portal, so apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

Exceptions and other visa types

While the new system rolls out, it may still be possible to obtain a tourist visa on arrival, but this is not guaranteed. There is a separate visa if you are travelling for business. Short-term business visas must also be applied for through the e-visa portal. Long-term visas are not yet available in the e-visa portal and are accepted manually for now.

Some travellers may be exempt from the tourist visa depending on nationality and passport type. For example, official passport holders from the EU, UAE, India, Indonesia and Hong Kong are exempt for single-entry stays of 90 days, and People's Republic of China passport holders are exempt for single-entry stays of 90 days accumulative. Citizens of Melanesian Spearhead Group countries (Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu) have a specific entry permit. Check the Immigration Division website for the full list of visa categories and exemptions.

Health requirements

To enter Solomon Islands, you must have a certificate to prove that you have had a yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. This is general guidance only. Always ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own situation, ideally weeks before travelling.

What is not yet confirmed

The UK government notes that while the new system rolls out it may still be possible to obtain a tourist visa on arrival, but this is not guaranteed. There have been some delays with the new electronic portal. Long-term visas will be available soon in the e-visa portal, but no date is confirmed. For the latest information, check the Solomon Islands Immigration Division website and the UK government's travel advice for Solomon Islands.