Participants at the briefing
Immigration briefs diplomatic corps on new border management and e-visa system
Honiara, 8th October 2026: The Solomon Islands Immigration Division, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), briefed members of the Diplomatic Corps in Honiara yesterday on the Government’s new Border Management System (BMS) and e-Visa regime.
The Director of Immigration, Chris Akosawa, informed Heads of Mission and diplomatic representatives that Solomon Islands is implementing a full electronic Border Management System, e-Visa and e-Payment Gateway to strengthen border security and protect territorial sovereignty.
Key developments briefed to diplomats include:
- Border Management System (BMS) installed on 7th July 2024;
- E-Visa System officially launched on 28th October 2025; and
- E-Payment Gateway commenced on 23rd August 2026, allowing applicants to apply for short-term visas and pay online.
The BMS was funded by the Government of Australia for $18 million under the Trilateral Partnership between the PNG Immigration & Citizenship Service Authority (PNG ICSA) and Solomon Islands Immigration Division.
Under the reforms, Immigration is introducing 34 e-Visa categories with 11 subclasses. Categories published on the Immigration website portal include tourist visas, business visas, visa exemptions (mutual exemption visas), visas for yachts, cruise boats and other short-term visas.
Since the introduction of the BMS, Immigration has recorded an increasing number of visa applications processed successfully.
Director Akosawa stated that the e-Visa system is designed to protect the country’s borders against organised crimes, transnational crimes, human trafficking and drug trafficking.
“Solomon Islands is strategically taking control of its laws to protect its territorial sovereignty. All non-citizens entering and staying in Solomon Islands must apply for and be granted a visa before travelling to Solomon Islands,” he said.
Whilst enforcing and strengthening border security, Immigration is mindful of existing concessional arrangements, MOUs and agreements signed bilaterally and multilaterally with traditional partners and countries.
The briefing also covered broader security context including responses to transnational organised crime and regional security architectures such as the Boe Declaration, Ocean of Peace, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Bikatewa Declaration 2000 and the recent Disruption Strategy 2024-2028 signed between the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) and Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP), as well as the MPNS&CS Border Security Strategy and National Security Strategy.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps welcomed the briefing and were encouraged to disseminate information through their respective diplomatic channels to ensure smooth execution of visa exemption processes and the 34 visa categories.
Akosawa thanked development partners, particularly Australia and PNG ICSA, for their support and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a secure, transparent and efficient border system that facilitates legitimate travel while protecting the nation.
ENDS//