Business Application information

Certificates, Permits & License

Certificates, permits & licenses are the most important elements for doing business and therefore must be acquired from responsible authorities. They give the investor approval both legal and administrative to carry out his/her business in the country.

For a start there are a number of government administrative and legal procedures to follow and these are all mandatory requirements. Keep in mind that

1.    Before you enter Solomon Islands you must have a valid VISA. The Department of Immigration is the authorizing body to consider and issue VISA application or consult with the Solomon Islands Diplomatic mission in your country. Commonwealth countries don’t necessary need a VISA. For more information please consult the Director of the Department of Immigration in Solomon Islands. Read more

2.    Foreign Investors are also required to obtain a work permit and residence permit before they can work and reside in Solomon Islands. The former is issued by the Commissioner of labor division and the later is issued by the Director of Immigration Department. Read More

Establishing your business

3.    To formally establish a business in Solomon Islands, a foreign investor must submit a number of applications to relevant concerned government bodies depending on the type of investment to be undertaken. Usually a foreign investor must go through these steps to obtain, certificates, permits or licenses.

Apply for a Foreign Investment Certificate of Registration.
To get this certificate a foreign investor must submit an application to the Director of Foreign Investment Division.

Obtain a Certificate of Incorporation
Once you have been issued with a certificate of Registration, a foreign investor must incorporate his/her company in Solomon Islands. The Registrar of Companies administers this function made under the provision of the Company Act.

Obtain a Work permit
After successfully obtaining the two certificates, a foreign investor must lodge an application to the Commissioner of Labor to seek approval for a work permit usually renewed every two years. This work permit is only applicable if an investor will physically work in his company.

Obtain a residence permit
After an investor is issued with a work permit, he/she will be required to apply for a residence permit. This is also renewed every 2 years and is only applicable if n investor will reside in Solomon Islands.  

Obtain a Business License
Depending on the location, investors who will physically establish and coordinate their investment in Honiara, the capital city of Solomon Islands will be required to apply for a business license from the Honiara City Council. For those who will operate in areas other than Honiara will be required to apply for a business license from the Provincial Government.

Licensing Sectors: Fisheries & Mininig

Obtain a Sector License
Investment that falls in the fisheries and mining sectors will require that the department of fisheries and mining will evaluate your investment proposals and after considering the application may issue their sector license.

To invest in these sectors, an investor after receiving the Foreign Investment Division Certificate of Registration will need to submit a separate application to the department responsible for the sector license. When accorded with the license, then follow step 2 to 5 mention above.