Solomon Islands vs Independent State of Samoa
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands publishes visa categories through the official Immigration Division site and work-permit guidance through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration. The current Visa Atlas packet covers visitor, short-term business, work permit, working resident, student, dependant/family and permanent resident routes, with direct notes where the official pages state filing is temporarily in person while online systems are being tested. Applicants should confirm the active filing channel, fee and supporting documents before paying or travelling.
- Official portal
- Solomon Islands Immigration Division
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Solomon Islands dollar
Independent State of Samoa
Samoa Visa Atlas coverage is source-backed from Samoa Immigration pages under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The source packet covers visitor entry, business visitors, visitor extensions, temporary residence for employment, business and investment, study, family support or reunion, research, cultural and religious purposes, permanent residence, citizenship routes, official forms and fee tables. Applicants should use Samoa Immigration guidance and forms, then confirm the current filing place, fee and supporting evidence before travelling, working, studying, investing or relying on long-stay status.
- Languages
- Samoan, English
- Currency
- Samoan tala
How Solomon Islands and Independent State of Samoa differ
| Dimension | Solomon Islands | Independent State of Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 7 | 10 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 3 | 6 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 1 | 2 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Work Permit | Temporary Residence for Employment |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | English | Samoan, English |
| Currency | Solomon Islands dollar | Samoan tala |
| Primary regulator | SID | Immigration |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Routes unique to Independent State of Samoa
Visa routes side by side
Solomon Islands (7)
Visitor Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Tourist visitor category: 30 days single entry, renewal available, maximum stay up to 150 days. Other visitor subcategories have their own limits.
Business Visa - Short-Term
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Official short-term page: 90 days stay. Immigration categories page: up to 180 days with multiple entry and not extendable for the listed business category.
Work Permit
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Permit validity depends on approval; use alongside the relevant working resident visa where required.
Working Resident Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Long-term employment: two years, unlimited entries, extendable. Short-term employment: six months single entry, extension after first six months.
Student Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Two years; extendable.
Dependent / Family Relationship Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Up to two years for listed dependant/family categories; extension available where stated.
Permanent Resident Visa
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Five years; extendable.
Independent State of Samoa (10)
Visitor Permit on Arrival
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 90 days on arrival for visitor purposes, subject to Samoa entry requirements.
Business Visitor Permit
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Visitor framework; confirm permitted stay and activity limits with Samoa Immigration.
Visitor Permit Extension
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Further visitor stay; confirm the approved extension length with Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Employment
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Business or Investment
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Study
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Family Support or Reunion
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Temporary Residence for Research, Cultural or Religious Purposes
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence; confirm the approved validity period and any renewal conditions on the permit issued by Samoa Immigration.
Permanent Residence Permit
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Permanent residence status, subject to approval and any endorsement or reissue conditions.
Citizenship by Descent, Permanent Residence or Marriage
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Citizenship status after registration or recognition; processing depends on the citizenship route and decision.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Solomon Islands or Independent State of Samoa?+
Solomon Islands’s Work Permit is the dominant skilled route; Independent State of Samoa’s Temporary Residence for Employment is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Solomon Islands or Independent State of Samoa have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Independent State of Samoa has more: 6 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 3 for Solomon Islands. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.