ESTABLISHING diplomatic relations between the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 2019 has paved the way for the two countries to accomplish the signing of a Mutual visa exemption agreement on 7th November 2024.
Honorable Harry Kuma, Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) signed the instrument, which allowed PRC as a concessional entry country, where all PRC ordinary passport holders will enter the Solomon Islands and receive mutual visa exemption not exceeding 30 days.
The PRC concessional entry arrangement was gazetted on the 20th of November 2024 and has now been implemented since the 27th of January 2025 when the Minister signed the instrument declaring the People’s Republic of China as a concessional country under the Immigration Act 2012.
Additionally, Hon. Kuma also signed a mutual visa exemption policy on the 27th of January 2025, which outlines the guidelines and procedures, that aspire to secure our borders against threats and promote safe and orderly migration.
The policy also covers PRC mutual visa exemption guidelines and procedures allowing Solomon Islands ordinary valid passport holders to receive reciprocal mutual visa exemption on arrival.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Riley Mesepitu, and the Acting Director of Immigration, Mr. Christopher Akosawa, acknowledged the People’s Republic of China’s initiation for collaborating with the Solomon Islands to finalize the MOU on Mutual Visa exemption.
The Acting Director confirmed that the Minister had signed the instrument to declare the People’s Republic of China as a concessional country. He further explained that PRC ordinary citizens are exempted under the mutual visa exemption to enter, transit, or depart Solomon Islands territory.
PRC ordinary passport holders will now be issued with Mutual Visa exemption on arrival, affirming the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement.
Mr. Akosawa also reiterated that the Mutual Visa Exceptions under the Memorandum of Understanding is a reciprocal arrangement that will benefit both parties to the agreement. The agreement will provide more opportunities for Solomon Islands and PRC nationals to mutually strengthen their trade, cultural, and bilateral relations.
Furthermore, Immigration will continue to look after our borders and manage and promote ethical and legitimate migration, adhering to the protocols and laws of the parties to the agreement.