Solomon Islands: immigration

Do I need a visa to visit the Solomon Islands?

All short-term visas for the Solomon Islands, including visitor, business and transit visas, must be applied for through the e-visa portal, according to the Solomon Islands Immigration Division. A visitor entry permit allows a three-month stay for leisure, and a separate visa for citizens of the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu allows a maximum stay of up to a year, with three months per entry.

Long-term visas, such as working resident, family, permanent resident and student visas, are still lodged on paper at the Immigration visa counter in Honiara, with fees paid to the Finance and Treasury Division. The division's page lists each visa type with its length of stay.

Official sources: Solomon Islands Immigration Division: visas

How many people arrive in the Solomon Islands each year?

Immigration officers at Honiara International Airport processed 54,292 passenger arrivals in 2025, according to the Solomon Islands Immigration Division's Annual Report 2025. Returning residents on long-term employment visas were the largest group, at 29%, followed by tourists at 24%.

The report also counts 799 international vessels cleared in 2025. Australian and Chinese nationals made up the largest numbers of traveller movements recorded by the new Border Management System, at 4,722 and 2,955. Passenger arrivals include residents returning home, so they are higher than the National Statistics Office's visitor counts.

Official sources: Solomon Islands Immigration Division: Annual Report 2025 (PDF)

How much does a work visa for the Solomon Islands cost?

A long-term employment visa for the Solomon Islands costs USD 450 and is valid for two years with unlimited entries, and can be extended, according to the Immigration Division's working page. A short-term employment visa costs USD 300 for a single entry of six months and needs Labour Department support.

Long-term employment is the main reason foreigners apply: 82% of applications to the Division's long-term visa unit in 2025 were for employment, according to its Annual Report 2025. Visa processing moved to the new Border Management System during 2025.

Official sources: Solomon Islands Immigration Division: working in the Solomon Islands · Solomon Islands Immigration Division: Annual Report 2025 (PDF)

How many people overstay their visas in the Solomon Islands?

The Solomon Islands Immigration Division recorded 201 overstayers in 2025, placed restrictions on 65 foreign nationals and handled 7 legal cases, mostly appeals, according to its Annual Report 2025. Spot fines and fees on overstayers and illegal movements raised SBD 854,531.

The Division notes that these figures cover only reported cases and that a large gap remains in what is known about irregular migration. About 2,469 people born abroad lived in the Solomon Islands in 2024, according to UN estimates published by the World Bank.

Official sources: Solomon Islands Immigration Division: Annual Report 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: international migrant stock, Solomon Islands

How many foreign-born people live in the Solomon Islands?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in the Solomon Islands at 0.3% in 2024. In 2015 the figure was 0.4%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1%, and the Solomon Islands placed 23rd highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 179th of 193.

How many people move to the Solomon Islands each year?

In 2025, net migration in the Solomon Islands was 1,631, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -5,538 (2008) to 6,653 (2018). It is 8th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is -373. World rank, highest first: 58th of 193.

How many refugees are in the Solomon Islands?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2024, is 0. That is the lowest since at least 2012. It is 17th highest of 19 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 261. Worldwide: 166th of 172.

How many refugees come from the Solomon Islands?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in the Solomon Islands was 73 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 75; its low point was 2005, at 27. It is 15th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 73. World rank, highest first: 155th of 189.

How big are remittances in the Solomon Islands' economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in the Solomon Islands at 6.0% of GDP in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2% of GDP; the Solomon Islands is 8th highest of 20. Worldwide: 43rd of 156.