Solomon Islands visa photos and the Immigration Division
Visa applications for the Solomon Islands are handled by the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration. The application form asks for two recent passport-sized colour photographs on a light background, and the same image is used across visitor, business, employment, student, yacht, and journalist categories.
There is no e-visa portal. Applications are lodged in person at Immigration Division headquarters in Honiara, at a Solomon Islands diplomatic mission, or by email to the Immigration Division with the photograph embedded in the application PDF. No third-party visa application centre operates for the Solomon Islands, so every photo is reviewed manually by an immigration officer.
Because review is manual and the bearer is re-inspected at the border on arrival, photographs that do not meet Immigration Division expectations are returned for replacement, and a photo that does not resemble the traveller at Henderson International Airport can result in entry being refused.
Solomon Islands visa photo requirements
The Immigration Division reviews each photograph manually against the guidance printed on its visa application form. The rules below are what officers look for in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Full frontal viewThe applicant must face the camera squarely. Profile and three-quarter views are rejected by the Immigration Division.
- Neutral expressionA neutral expression with the mouth closed is expected. Smiling, frowning, or open-mouth poses are not accepted for adult applicants.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and looking at the camera, with no hair falling across the eyes.
Eyewear & lenses
- Sunglasses and tintsSunglasses and tinted lenses are prohibited. The eyes must be clearly visible to the reviewing officer.
- Prescription glassesClear prescription glasses are accepted provided there is no glare on the lenses and the frames do not cover any part of the eyes.
Headwear
- General ruleHeadwear is not permitted for visa photographs submitted to the Immigration Division.
- Religious head coveringsHead coverings worn for religious reasons are accepted, provided the face is fully visible from the top of the forehead to the chin.
Hair & face visibility
- Face fully visibleThe entire face must be visible from the top of the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear. Hair must not obscure the facial features.
Photo quality
- Colour photographVisa applications to the Immigration Division require colour photographs. Black and white prints are rejected.
- Print conditionPrints must be on photographic paper, uncreased, and free of marks. Plain paper printouts are commonly refused at intake.
- Recent likenessThe photograph must be a recent likeness of the applicant. Officers compare the image against the passport biopage and against the bearer on arrival, and a mismatch can result in entry refusal at Henderson International Airport.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 32 mm and 36 mm (roughly 71–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 25 mm and 32 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
The Immigration Division applies the same "two recent passport-sized photographs" rule to applicants of every age, but officer discretion relaxes certain expectations for the youngest applicants.
Infants (under 12 months)
No infant-specific specification is published. Officers apply the standard rule with practical leniency on posture and expression.
- ExpressionA neutral expression is not required. Infants may have their mouth open or a relaxed expression, and closed eyes are tolerated for the very youngest applicants.
- Head positionMinor tilts of the head are accepted where an infant cannot hold a fully upright pose. The face must still be turned toward the camera.
- No other people in frameSupporting hands, arms, or a parent’s body must not be visible in the finished photograph.
Other things to know.
A few practical points set the Solomon Islands visa channel apart from neighbouring jurisdictions.
No e-visa portal
The Immigration Division does not operate an e-visa portal. Digital lodgement is by email to the Immigration Division, with the photograph embedded in the application PDF and the total attachment kept under roughly 5 MB.
Two physical prints required
In-person, mail, and diplomatic-mission submissions require two identical physical prints of the photograph attached to the application form. A single print is treated as incomplete.
US-format size also accepted
Solomon Islands diplomatic missions that follow US-style conventions accept a 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) print in place of the regional 45 x 35 mm size. Either format is reviewed manually.
Visa-on-arrival exemption
Nationals eligible for visa-on-arrival entry, including MSG passport holders from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, do not submit a photograph at the border. The passport biopage is sufficient at the port of entry.
Take your Solomon Islands visa photo at home in three steps.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.