Residing in Solomon Islands

Foreigners planning to reside (usually for purpose of setting up of a business, or Investing, employment, study, research of for religious purposes) must apply to the Director of Immigration for a permit to enter and reside prior to entering Solomon Islands. The permit to enter and reside if granted is valid for two years and is renewable. Permit to enter and reside holders wishing to renew or extend their stay in Solomon Islands must apply to the Director of Immigration two months prior to the expiry of their existing permits.

Requirements on Permit to enter and Reside

The following requirements must be submitted in the application for a permit to enter and reside in Solomon Islands namely:-

• (1) Application form - in pdf format

This form must be duly filled by the applicant. A form can be supplied on request. The application form must be submitted with the applicant’s photograph and fee of $240 (which is no refundable)
• (2) Police Certificate
Usually issued by the Police Department from the Applicant’s country of origin or from any Police Department under whose jurisdiction the applicant came under in the last 12 months up to the time of the applicants application. Only original Police Certificates are acceptable.
• (3) Letter of Indemnity/Interest Bearing Account
A document guaranteeing the Solomon Islands Government that any future repatriation costs and expenses shall be borne by the applicant or his employer or sponsor. If a letter of Indemnity is not acceptable to the Director of Immigration, the Director of Immigration will require the applicant, his employer or sponsor to open with any bank in Solomon Islands an interest bearing account in the name of the Director of Immigration as trustee for the applicant. The amount to be deposited will be equivalent to the cheapest airfare from Solomon Islands to the applicant’s country of origin or to which he is a citizen. The money deposited in an interest Bearing Deposit account may be withdrawn if and when the applicant requires it to purchase airfare to repatriate himself/herself.

• (4) Work Permit
A work permit issued by the Commissioner of Labour. This permit must be applied for to the Commissioner of Labour. The issue of a work permit is a requirement for those wishing to work, or run their business whilst residing in Solomon Islands.

• (5) Covering Letter
This letter should simply support the applicant’s application and state the purpose and reason why the application is lodged.

When all, the requirements (numbers 1-5) are received, the Director of Immigration may then proceed to consider the application and issue the relevant permits.

For those who wish to undertake research in Solomon Islands apart from the requirements (numbers 1, 2, 3 & 5) a research permit issued by the Minister for Education/Department of Education must be submitted with the application.

When a permit to enter and reside is granted certain conditions may be attached.

If some of the conditions of the permit are found to be breached, the permit holder (applicant) will be summonsed to show cause why his permit to enter and reside should not be cancelled. If there are good grounds not to cancel, then the permit will not be cancelled. If there are no grounds submitted against cancellation, then the permit can be cancelled.

There is an appeal process to the Minister available to a permit holder as well as a visitor’s permit holder if the permits are cancelled or applications for any of the permits are rejected by the Director of Immigration.

An applicant or a permit holder can appeal within 14 days of the decision of the Director of Immigration. The appeal must be accompanied by an appeal fee of $300 and submitted to the Minister through the Director of Immigration.