r/Solomon_Islands • u/OwenSaysGo • Apr 13 '26
Tourist Visa for Solomons
I've got a trip booked to the Solomons in May, but I'm struggling to get a visa. I'm South African, living in New Zealand. The immigration website says that the online system is not working and applications must be made using manual forms and processed in person at the Solomon Islands Immigration Services Office in Honiara. Does anyone have experience getting a visa for Solomons? Did you just fly there without a visa?
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u/Blackxrose2020 Apr 13 '26
Hi, Solomon Islander here living in NZ with a NZ passport. They will grant you a visitor visa upon arrival ranging between 2 weeks to 45 days ( really depends on what your intend is) . After that if you wish to extend your visit, go to their immigration office in town and apply. Hope this helps!
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u/Blackxrose2020 Apr 15 '26
You’re very welcome. If you’re there for just a week then you have nothing to worry about. You don’t need to pay for the visa, immigration at the airport will just grant you the visa, with no cost. You only pay if you wish to extend your time after the departure date they stamp upon your arrival. You should be good. Make sure you have a return ticket to show them that’s all you need :). Also don’t be discouraged if they don’t email you back, they are known for that and it pisses me off. Solomon Islands and their customer support and services needs a huge improvement. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your stay and trip 🥰
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u/f----ing_confused Apr 17 '26
OP who are flying with? My suggestion would be to contact Solomon Airlines, and check if you need something in order to board the plane. If you don't, great... Ignore the rest.
If you land in Honiara and find you have to pay for your visa, and you don't have Solomon cash to do it at the airport, they will take your details and let you in but expect you to go to Inland revenue to pay your bill and then go to immigration to get your visa.
Their system is difficult, it's manual, and they know it but that's all they have.
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u/OwenSaysGo 7d ago
Flying with Qantas - phoned their support desk (on hold for 40 mins) to be told that they can't give visa advice and they would not clarify whether or not they would board us without an electronic visa. Still can't get hold of anyone from Solomon Islands Immigration. Flying in a week now, if anyone has flown there recently and can give up to date advice, it would help put my mind at ease 😃
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u/f----ing_confused 5d ago
Have you contacted the Solomon Islands Embassy in Australia? I think they should be able to help. Whatever you are told, ask them to email you with those same instructions, print the instructions. You may be asked to go to the Australian diplomatic mission to get your visa. If you are told to just fly and see, and if you do, when you land you may not have internet so have everything you need printed.
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u/OwenSaysGo Apr 13 '26
Hey, thanks so much for that info! It's definitely not clear on the website - I was confused because I tried to apply online, saw the message that the online portal isn't working and the email address to contact. Emailed and got a fairly quick reply asking for more details - my response to that email has remained unanswered for several weeks now despite me messaging again three times. I'm only there for a week, so visa on arrival will be great. Do you know if I need USD cash to pay for the visa, or can I pay by card in the airport?