Brisbane, AUSTRALIA (02 March 2026) – Regional Directors of Immigration from Pacific Islands countries attended a three-day Border Management System (BMS) Strategic Foundations workshop in Brisbane, Australia, from February 24-26, 2026.
The workshop, funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, aimed to discuss shared objectives and opportunities for automated data sharing and the development of Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger National Record modules.
The countries represented included the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. Australian Department of Home Affairs Regional Director Mr Jim Anderson opened the workshop, emphasising the importance of regional collaboration in combating organised crime.
The workshop focused on challenges such as drug trafficking, cybersecurity threats, and digital borders. Key outcomes included establishing a PIDC Information Technology Working Group to lead regional BMS developments and fighting organised crime.
Solomon Islands is strengthening its national border security, having rolled out the first phase of BMS with Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The Australian Government funded SBD$18M for the Immigration BMS roll-out.
An online electronic visa system will be introduced by mid-March 2026, allowing travelers to apply and pay for visas online.
Travelers and tourists travelling to Solomon Islands will access visa applications and make online payments through an ANZ online visa payment for Solomon Islands visas.
A technical working group will assess digitising entries and exits in Western and Choiseul Provinces in April 2026, aligning border security with the government’s National Security Strategy.
The Solomon Islands Government is represented by the Acting Director of Immigration, Mr Chris Akosawa.
