Solomon Islands · work sponsored
Work Permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Solomon Islands work permit process for non-citizens working legally in the country.
- Processing time
- Submit Form 1, fee and supporting documents to the Commissioner of Labour for assessment.
- Government fees
- Verify and pay the prescribed work permit fees before filing.
- Typical duration
- Permit validity depends on approval; use alongside the relevant working resident visa where required.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
Solomon Islands publishes visa categories through the official Immigration Division site and immigration/work-permit service pages through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration. The reviewed pages provide route categories, durations and fees for major public routes, but applicants should confirm the current form, fee, online/in-person filing status and supporting documents with Immigration or Labour before submitting. The work permit page says all non-citizens other than Government employees, diplomatic staff, Commonwealth government employees and children under 18 must apply for a work permit. It says applications require Form 1, the fee and full supporting documents, and must show no qualified local workers are available and that the proposed worker is suitably qualified.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant is a non-citizen who needs authority to work in Solomon Islands.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- ✓The application shows no qualified local workers are available.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- ✓The proposed worker is suitably qualified and supported by employer/investor evidence.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
Common blockers
- !The applicant is in Solomon Islands when the rules require them to be outside, except for renewal, spousal applications or exempted transfers.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- !The application lacks Form 1, fee receipt, employment contract, qualifications, references or employer supporting documents.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- !The applicant uses a short-term visitor or business route for work or residence activity.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- !The filing channel has changed; the Immigration page says online services were under technical testing and applications were being received in person at the Immigration Services Office in Honiara when reviewed.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- !Required sponsor, employer, Labour Department, family, vessel, study or ministerial support evidence is missing.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Completed Form 1 and application fee receipt.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- ·Employment contract, qualifications and reference letters for workers.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- ·Company registration, organisational chart and localisation programme where required.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
- ·For renewals, original work permit and report on compliance with original permit conditions.Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm whether the person requires a work permit and whether any exemption applies.
Build the evidence pack
Prepare Form 1, fee and employer/worker evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Submit to the Commissioner of Labour for assessment.
After approval
Use the approval in principle or decision letter to complete immigration visa handling where required.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantRead Solomon Islands work permit guidance ↗
Use this official Solomon Islands source to confirm current requirements and filing steps. Solomon Islands publishes visa categories through the official Immigration Division site and immigration/work-permit service pages through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration. The reviewed pages provide route categories, durations and fees for major public routes, but applicants should confirm the current form, fee, online/in-person filing status and supporting documents with Immigration or Labour before submitting.
Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Solomon Islands · verified
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck Immigration visa categories ↗
Use this official Solomon Islands source to confirm current requirements and filing steps. Solomon Islands publishes visa categories through the official Immigration Division site and immigration/work-permit service pages through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration. The reviewed pages provide route categories, durations and fees for major public routes, but applicants should confirm the current form, fee, online/in-person filing status and supporting documents with Immigration or Labour before submitting.
Solomon Islands Immigration Division · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Who needs a Solomon Islands work permit?+
The ministry page says all non-citizens other than listed exempt groups must apply for a work permit.
Who assesses the work permit?+
The page says applications are submitted to the Commissioner of Labour for assessment.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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