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Solomon Islands
Country Specific Information
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August 13, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Solomon Islands form an Archipelago in the southwest Pacific Ocean about 1,200 miles northeast of Australia. The capital,
Honiara, is located on the Island of Guadalcanal. The Solomon Islands are a parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth.
Tourism facilities are limited, particularly outside Honiara. Read the Department of State Background notes on the Solomon
Islands for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport holders do not require visas to enter the Solomon Islands. Passports, onward/return tickets and proof of
sufficient funds for the duration of stay are required. Visitor permits are granted upon arrival at Henderson International
Airport in Honiara. Visitors may enter any number of times provided the total period in the Solomon Islands does not exceed
90 days in a 12-month period. Persons arriving on one-way airline tickets must have documentation stating their business,
for example, a work permit if taking up employment in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands government strictly enforces
immigration laws, and travelers may face fines and other penalties if they remain in the country beyond the authorized period
of stay.
Persons arriving on yachts should visit the nearest immigration office to complete arrival forms for issuance of visitors'
permits.
Travelers who plan to arrive in the Solomon Islands by plane or some other conveyance but who plan to depart on a yacht
should apply for a visitor’s permit before their arrival in the Solomon Islands, to the Director of Immigration (via fax to
the U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara at 677-27429). The application should state the traveler’s arrival date, vessel name and
registration details, vessel’s arrival date, approximate time traveler will spend in the Solomon Islands, and it should request
entry on a one-way (arrival only) airline ticket. The Director will issue a permit to be presented at airline check-in.
If the traveler does not have this permit, she/he may be denied boarding.
For more information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Solomon Islands Mission to the United Nations at
800 Second Avenue, Suite 8008, New York, NY 10017-4709; Tel: (212) 599-6192 or 6193. Travelers who anticipate the possibility
of transiting or visiting Australia are advised to obtain an electronic travel authority (ETA) or visa for Australia before
leaving the United States. An ETA may be obtained for a small service fee at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/. Airlines and many travel agents in the United States are also able to issue ETAs.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Since July 24, 2003, the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), a coalition of Pacific Island states
that includes military and police forces from Australia and several other Pacific Island nations, has helped the Solomon Islands
improve law and order. . It is generally safe to walk alone during the day; however, walking alone at night is discouraged.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada,
or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). The U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara
also has available up-to-date safety and security information at (677) 23426 and (677) 94731, or Fax (677) 27429.
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Major crimes against travelers are uncommon, although incidences of theft, mugging, and extortion are increasing. Some
350 RAMSI Police are working alongside Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) to respond to any situation requiring police.
Lawlessness is increasing in Honiara, mostly in the form of petty crime (theft and harassment for money). The isolated incidents
of harassment of expatriates that have increased in Honiara since April 2006 are generally minor and associated with alcohol
and fringe elements of the community. House and vehicle break-ins occur, with expatriates particularly targeted. Some recent
episodes have involved violence and the use or threatened use of knives.
Gang-based criminal activity has increased in and around the Burns Creek area in East Honiara, and in the Borderline area,
which is close to the Japanese memorial. It is not advisable to go alone to the Japanese memorial.
Americans should be aware that the public does not distinguish between Australians and Americans.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara, or the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the U.S. Consular Agent or the U.S. Embassy for assistance. The Consular Agent or Embassy staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Solomon Islands is: 999.
Other emergency numbers are:
Ambulance, Hospital - 911
National Disaster - 955
Fire - 988
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Hospitals and pharmacies in the Solomon Islands are limited to population centers and missions. Since 2001, the quality
of medical services has deteriorated seriously, although it is expected to improve as the country’s overall economic condition
continues to improve. The nearest reliable medical facilities are in Australia or New Zealand. There is a hyperbaric recompression
chamber in Honiara at the In-the-Zone Medical Centre, phone (677) 23485 or (677) 23482; however, medical conditions resulting
from diving accidents may require medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization
and/or medical evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or the United States can cost thousands of dollars. The incidence of
malaria is high. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Travelers who anticipate
the possible need for medical treatment in Australia should obtain entry permission for Australia in advance. Entry permission
for Australia can be granted by the Australian High Commission in Honiara, but it is easier to obtain it prior to leaving
the United States (see section above on Entry/Exit Requirements)
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Solomon Islands. Per Solomon Islands Immigration
Act Cap 60, Section 4 (1) (d) and section 11, subsection (2), an immigration officer can bar a visitor from entering the country
or deport an immigrant if he or she refuses to submit to an examination by a government medical officer after being required
to do so.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Solomon Islands is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Vehicular traffic in the Solomon Islands moves on the left. Paved roads are found only in and around Honiara, located on
Guadalcanal Island. These two-lane paved roads are poorly marked and have many potholes. Roads are not well lit at night.
The remaining roads in the Solomon Islands are made of coral or gravel, or are dirt tracks. Travelers must take care when
driving off main roads to avoid trespassing on communal land. For information concerning the rental and operation of motor
vehicles in the Solomon Islands, contact our Consular Agent in Honiara.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. For specific information concerning Solomon Islands driving permits, vehicle inspection, road
tax and mandatory insurance, visit the Solomon Islands Department of Commerce web site at http://www.commerce.gov.sb/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in the Solomon Islands, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Solomon Islands’ Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Customs Information: The Solomon Islands' customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from
the Solomon Islands of items such as firearms and ammunition, sexually explicit material, and certain prescription drugs.
Other items may be subject to quarantine regulations or import duty. The Solomon Islands' government prohibits the export
of military artifacts from World War II. It is advisable to contact the Solomon Islands' Mission to the United Nations for
specific information regarding customs requirements.
Natural Disasters: The Solomon Islands lie in the South Pacific cyclonic trajectory, and are vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
and sudden tidal movements. The Pacific cyclone season extends from November through March. General information regarding
disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.
Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the Solomon Islands laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Solomon Islands are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: There is no U.S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands. However, there is a U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara. The Consular Agent
has general information and forms, such as passport applications, and can be contacted at the United States Consular Agency,
Commonwealth Avenue, Point Cruz, telephone number is (677) 23426 or (677) 98367, cell number is (677) 94731, home number is
(677) 22539; fax (677) 27429; e-mail keithieusa@solomon.com.sb or us_consular@solomon.com.sb. For additional information and to download forms, please visit our Virtual Embassy for the Solomon Islands at http://www.usvpp-solomonislands.org/.
The U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea provides primary assistance for U.S. citizens in the Solomon Islands. The Embassy is
located on Douglas Street, adjacent to the Bank of Papua New Guinea, in Port Moresby. Use that address for courier service
deliveries. The mailing address is PO Box 1492, Port Moresby, N.C.D. 121, Papua New Guinea; the telephone number is (675)
321-1455; after hours duty officer telephone number is (675) 683-7943; Fax (675) 321-1593. American citizens may submit
consular inquiries via e-mail to ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov. The web site for the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby is http://portmoresby.usembassy.gov/.
Americans living or traveling in the Solomon Islands are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby through
the State Department’s travel registration web site, and to visit the Consular Agency in Honiara to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Solomon Islands.
Americans without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy or Consular Agency. By registering, American citizens
make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
This replaces the Country Specific Information for the Solomon Islands dated January 17, 2008, to update sections on Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information.
