Quick answer: solomon islands entry requirements start with a permit or visa matched to your length of stay, plus a passport valid at least 6 months beyond departure, as Canada’s travel advisory states. Carry onward-ticket proof too.
These rules sit inside the wider trip plan covered in this guide on how to get to solomon islands, while how to get to the solomon islands walks through the journey step by step. The rest of this page sorts the choices by what they decide: permit type, passport, border checks and health.
Choosing a visitor permit or a tourist visa
The Solomon Islands Immigration Division handles entry permission, and the right document depends mainly on how long you plan to stay. Two published descriptions frame the choice. Canada’s government advisory says a tourist visa is required for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period, and that a business visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days. A visa guide from Envoy Atlas describes a separate 30-day tourist permit alongside a tourist visa.
The practical split is simple. A trip of 30 days or less suits the visitor permit. A longer trip, or one where dates may stretch, suits the tourist visa from the start, because the 30-day permit cannot be extended and the guide advises switching to the tourist visa if you need longer.
| Option | Length of stay | Cost and conditions | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day tourist permit | 30 days, single entry | Free, with a USD 50 online lodgement fee; not extendable | Fits a short, fixed-date dive trip with no flexibility needed |
| Tourist visa | Three months per entry, with multiple entries over one year (Envoy Atlas); up to 90 days in a 180-day period (Canada) | A copy of the grant letter is shown to immigration officers on arrival | Suits longer stays, repeat entries or open-ended itineraries |
| Business visa | Not required for stays up to 30 days | Applies to business travellers only | Relevant for short work trips, not for holiday planning |
Figures come from Envoy Atlas’s Solomon Islands tourist visa guide and Canada’s Solomon Islands travel advice; the two describe the 30-day permit and the visa differently, so confirm the current category with the Immigration Division before paying anything.
Nationalities with exemption arrangements
Envoy Atlas lists reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with the European Union (except Ireland), the UAE, China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Japan. Holders of other passports should not assume they are covered. Travellers from the listed places should still confirm how an exemption applies to their passport and planned length of stay.
Passport, onward travel and arrival papers
A valid passport is the one document with no flexibility. Canada’s advisory states that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Solomon Islands, and Envoy Atlas describes the same requirement as a passport bio page valid for more than six months.
Passport validity
Measure the six months from your planned departure date, not your arrival date. If your return could slip, for example on a liveaboard with a flexible end date, count from the latest realistic departure. Settling the travel window first with the guide to the best time to visit solomon islands makes this check easier. A passport that is close to the limit is cheaper to renew before booking than to fix after a refusal.
Proof of onward travel
Yes, carry it. Envoy Atlas lists a return or onward ticket and a pre-booked hotel confirmation among the supporting documents for a tourist visa application. Canada’s advisory adds that customs officials may ask to see a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. Keep these where you can reach them at the counter, not packed in checked luggage.
Application papers and the grant letter
Applicants are told to write a cover letter on the purpose of the visit, addressed to the Director of the Solomon Islands Immigration Division. After approval, a copy of the grant letter must be presented to immigration officers on arrival, so print it rather than relying on a phone battery.
Customs and border checks for dive travellers
Customs and border checks are where the ticket and funds questions arise, and divers carry more than most travellers. Dive equipment and drones are the items most worth confirming directly with the Solomon Islands customs authority and your airline before packing, and the answer is worth rechecking close to departure.
Canada’s advisory gives safety guidance that matters once the gear is in the water. It advises choosing a well-established and reputable company that has insurance, and avoiding areas where sunken vessels or planes have been reported. It also notes that there are saltwater crocodiles and sharks in parts of the Solomon Islands but no warning signs, so local advice from your operator carries more weight than posted notices.
- Operator choice: insurance and an established record are the stated criteria, which makes them the first questions to put to any dive company.
- Wreck areas: the advice concerns areas where sunken vessels or planes are reported, so ask your operator which sites it treats as safe before diving independently.
- Swimming and snorkelling: the absence of signs means you cannot read risk from the shoreline; ask locally.
Vaccinations and health preparation
Canada’s advisory refers readers to a vaccines section for potential yellow fever entry requirements, so check that section against your own route before booking. It also says to make sure routine vaccinations are up to date before you travel, no matter where you are going.
Book a travel clinic appointment early enough to discuss your itinerary, because a clinic can interpret yellow fever requirements for your specific journey. A separate rule applies to long stays: Canada’s advisory says an HIV test is required to obtain or renew a visa, which concerns stays over 90 days rather than a typical dive holiday.
What to recheck before you pay or fly
Permit categories, fees and exemption lists can change, and the figures above come from a government advisory and a secondary visa guide rather than the Immigration Division itself. Treat them as a starting checklist.
- Permit type and fees: confirm the category and charges with the Immigration Division before lodging an application.
- Exemption status: check your own passport against the current partner list, since a partner’s listing may not cover your nationality.
- Dive gear and drones: ask customs and your airline before packing.
- Yellow fever: compare the vaccines section of your government’s travel advice with your route.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to extend a tourist visa?
Envoy Atlas says the extension fee is USD 100, paid at the Finance and Treasury cashier in Honiara.
Who should the cover letter be addressed to?
Address it to the Director, Solomon Islands Immigration Division, Honiara, PO Box G26, and state the purpose of the visit.
What if two official pages give different rules?
Follow the Solomon Islands Immigration Division, which issues the permits. Government travel advisories such as Canada’s are useful for orientation but may differ in detail, so confirm the category before you book.
Is the 30-day permit the same as a business visa exemption?
No. Canada’s advisory says a business visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days, which concerns business travel, while the free 30-day tourist permit is a separate document for visitors.
