pacific islands: visas and work?

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could help me determine if it might be possible to get a visa easily for 6 months or so to any of the Pacific Islands. I would like to avoid the more traveled islands but i am aware that it would be very hard to find work in the less travelled countries. Of all the countries i have checked, most seem to only allow the 30 day stay and require a booked outbound flight on arrival.

I am hoping to take a two year break to travel to the countries i have left to see, one of which was Samoa but i have since been informed that it is very difficult to find work there and they do not give long stay visas very easily. However most of the Pacific Islands all look to compete with each other very well on attractiveness so I am not too disheartened by Samoa. I have read on one site that Vanuatu will allow a year stay for 20,000V, but I am not sure how true this is.

Even if i can get a visa, will there be any chance of finding work? I am a 22, from Ireland, and have my Degree in Social Science, which would allow me to work in some areas of social work and will have some experience before i arrive. I have also worked in restaurants and bars for the last 9 years or so.

Currently it is looking like i may have to live in New Zealand and fly there for a few days if i can afford it. Which islands may be recommended for a good night life without the dirty aspects of touristy destinations? if any!

Any help at all would be really appeciated. Thanks a million!

You could try the Solomon Islands, Solomon Airlines will sell you an open ended return ticket out of Brisbane Australia, whereby you book a seat a couple of weeks before you want to leave. These tickets can be for up to 12 months. You will have trouble getting a work visa as tourists/ex-pats can not fill a job a local can fill, rules out bar and hospitality work. However the Australian led RAMSI mission may be able to help with something in the social work area or try World Health, Save the Children, Oxfam, most of the churches also have people working on various projects there. As well try contacting Solomon Islands Health they may well be looking for some people in the Social work area. Another option could be Australian Volunteers Abroad or a volunteer group from your home. In Australia a government agency called Ausaid controls the contracts of many aid organisations and may be able to assisst you in placement with a position.