Solomon Islands now requires online visa applications before travel

Travelers who require a visa must now submit their application through the immigration portal before departure—no longer at the point of entry or at a diplomatic post. Online payment is now also available.

Government reforms and the new electronic system

The announcement comes from the Government Communication Unit, published from Honiara. The reform is powered by the Border Management System (BMS), managed by the immigration division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration.

The legal basis for the reform is outlined in section 92(1) of the Immigration Act 2012, under which the Minister has approved an electronic visa application and processing system. Crucially for travelers, an automated decision carries the same legal weight as one issued by a human officer; no manual approval is required in addition to the electronic response.

Two supporting regulations complete the framework: the Immigration (Amendment) Visa Regulation 2025 and the Immigration (Amendment) Fees Schedule 2025. Combined, they reorganize the visa offering into 34 visa categories across 11 subclasses.

Online visa applications are mandatory and must be lodged before departure

Tourists and other visa-required travelers must apply through the online portal prior to boarding. According to Christopher Akosawa, Director of Immigration, the system is expected to shorten processing times and be accessible both from abroad and within the Solomon Islands.

An approved application grants a 30-day pre-clearance authorization. Travelers requiring a stay beyond 30 days must apply for an extension of stay. The tourist subclass allows for a cumulative stay of up to 180 days, subject to the provisions set out in the Immigration Act 2012.

Even with an approved authorization, all travelers remain subject to border control on arrival and must meet all conditions tied to their visa.

Tourist visa requirements at a glance

The immigration division outlines the requirements for each subclass. For the tourist visa, two separate fees apply: USD 50 €43.05 for the visa itself and USD 50 €43.05 for the online processing fee. A stay extension incurs an additional USD 100 €86.1.

Fees are denominated in US dollars and converted to Solomon Islands dollars at the time of application submission; they are non-refundable, even in the event of a refused application.

The tourist visa permits only a single entry and does not allow for any form of gainful employment. Required documents include the biodata page of a valid passport, a confirmed itinerary with return or onward air ticket, accommodation confirmation where applicable, and proof of sufficient financial means. The division also notes that entry may be refused if the passport has fewer than six months’ validity.

For applications lodged outside the Solomon Islands, the visa takes effect on the intended date of entry; for those lodged domestically, validity begins on the date of issue. An email containing the approval letter must be presented at the border.

Exemptions remain, but carry additional requirements

Bilateral visa-exemption agreements with certain countries—including the European Union, Indonesia, India, the United Arab Emirates, the People’s Republic of China, and Hong Kong—still apply. However, travelers relying on such exemptions must obtain a formal “sponsorship” note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and a supporting letter from the relevant Solomon Islands ministry. All exemptions remain subject to the notices published in the official gazette and to the conditions in force at the time of travel.

Exemption eligibility does not override the need to verify the latest rules for one’s specific passport type, as the regime varies by passport category.

The reform does not change who needs a visa—only how to apply

The change in process does not affect the rules determining visa requirements. Travelers who previously entered without a visa continue to do so under the same conditions; those previously required to obtain a visa on arrival must now apply and pay online before travel.

A critical consideration for travelers is timing: anyone who expected to secure their visa upon arrival must now submit and pay for their application in advance. The immigration division has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share this updated guidance with all Solomon Islands high commissions, foreign missions in Honiara, and regional and international organizations—an indication that consular networks require time to disseminate the information fully.

All other subclasses follow the same online-application logic, with varying allowable durations: 90 days’ multiple-entry for visiting relatives, 60 days for yachting crews, 30 days for journalists, and a 60-day gratis visa for passport holders from Melanesian Spearhead Group countries—namely Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.