On Solomon Islands visas - once again

Hello, some users on this Forum imply that it is not possible to obtain a TOURIST visa to Solomon Islands for the period longer than three months in total.

In view of the fact that I am planning to spend there anything between 4 and 7 months in the future (true, by the time I arrive - which may be between 6 and 18 months' time - regulations will or will not have changed), what are your comments or what is your advice?

1. Try to extend the visa in Honiara as Ozziegiraffe suggests? -Will they do it with no hassle (I do not mean and mind waiting in a long queue, the question is will they not start asking millions of questions and turn my application down)? Will they extend for another three months (which pretty much - almost - makes it, but the overall length of my (and my team's) stay largely depends on our results, so it may be 5 months, but it may as well require 7 months)?

2. Try to apply - again as Ozziegiraffe once suggested - for permanent residency? But what exact requirements need to be met on the part of the applicant to successfully receive such a residency?

3. What about other types/kinds of visas, do they grant any? Such as business and/or scientific expedition? If so - for how long and what criteria need to be met?

Let me add that - at least according to plans, dreams and intentions - ours is going to be a scientific, or, shall I say, "quasi-scientific" reserch and observation project whose nature however (if it ever comes to this) I would rather not touch upon or delve into. For this reason any stay shorter than 4 months is simply useless (considering especially the climate, the landscapes, the transport, the climate and the local people/customs/taboos etc.) and it may require up to 7 months.

Any ideas/thoughts/pieces of advice/information?

Much appreciated!

Best regards
Wojtek

In the old days before the 'troubles' you were given a visa either up to the departure date on your ticket, or for a month, whatever Immigration decided at the airport. However even then it was relatively easy to extend the visa at Immigration in downtown Honiara, but Immigration wanted a valid reason for doing so.

I normally get a 3-month visa when I land at the airport then extend it to 4months at Immigration downtown. Since 2000 I've not really had to have a reason for staying on. It was even suggested at the airport that I stay longer but I couldn't, but then I was only there for a week.

In 2002 I got the 3-month visa at the airport extended to 4-months, and they also said I could stay for up to 6 months if I wanted, almost no questions asked. I wanted to, but again I couldn't. Got the extension the same day I applied for it, which was a first.

I think the maximum stay on a visitor's visa is 6 months - no working, not even volunteer work. Ozziegiraffe should know more about that. Also, I'd be circumspect about the quasi-scientific side of things though, bio-piracy is rampant throughout the S. Pacific (by outsiders, of course) and they might take a dim view of that.

Thanks a lot, Whatsoff. Just one question: what exactly do you mean by "bio-piracy" and can you provide some examples of both it and the reaction of the natives to it?

Many thanks

Kind regards

Hi Wotjek - I've sent you a PM

I would agree with Watsoff - basically, you can get a visitor's visa for up to 3 months on entry, and apply to have it extended up to another 3 months in Honiara.
As far as residence permits, they are issued for 2 years at a time, however long you intend to stay. You would need a valid reason, and possibly a job and local sponsor.
I worked in a school, so had the education authority organise my residence and work permits, but had to renew after the first 2 years, for 2 years at a time.
Later I worked as a volunteer with a local church. Although I was staying for a maximum of 1 year, the residence visa was still issued for 2 (which came in handy on subsequent visits during the period of the permit).
There is no such thing as a permanent residency visa.
If you are doing research, could you get a letter from a University directed to the Solomon Islands government?