Solomon islands, a pacific country will soon be launching new citizenship by investment program alongside neighbors Vanuatu and Samoa who already have their CIP versions.
CBI Draft Bill
The Prime Minister of Solomon islands has announced completion first draft of citizenship by investment bill, soon to be tabled by parliament. The program once implemented, eligible investors and their family members who pass strict due diligence will be issued a Solomon islands passports.
In 2020, Solomon Islands received mainstream attention after public announcement the government is “considering” a new citizenship by investment scheme, similar to that of neighbors Vanuatu and Samoa hit by double disasters of cyclone harold and covid-19 has been hampering the relief efforts. The proposals did not move forward.
“I am happy to inform parliament that the first draft of the bill for citizens by investment has been completed by the AG’s chambers and is undergoing further peer review before submission to Cabinet for its consideration.”
– Prime minister Manele
The CIP program expected attract millions in foreign investment into the economy that will supplement current government revenue streams.
Amendments
In 2017, Dual citizenship was legalised, removed the constitutional prohibition of dual nationality, inline with the growing trend of the 21st century. This was first step to launch CBI program to allow dual citizenship to foreigners investing in the island nation.
To further attract investments in Oct 2023, Parliament passed Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2023 legislation makes it easy to foreign investors to get citizenship, who maintain close ties to the country, supporting the nation financially through employment, owning a property, or investing in a company.
Citizenship
The current criteria for approving application(s) for Solomon Islands Citizenship by the Citizenship Commission under the Citizenship Act 2018 for applicants are:
- The applicant must be 18 years or over.
- must be an ordinary resident in the Solomon Islands at the time of his/her application.
- The applicant must have resided in the country for a total of five (5) years before applying for Citizenship.
- is likely to continue residing or maintaining a close and continuing relationship with the Solomon Islands.
- Understand the nature of the application.
- is of good character with a clean Police Record.
- possesses knowledge of English, Pidgin or a vernacular of the Solomon Islands that is sufficient for normal conversational purposes.
- respects the culture and way of life of the Solomon Islands and understands the rights, privileges, responsibilities and duties of Citizenship.
SI Passport
Solomon islands has a very good passport, infact a much better passport for having visa waiver treaty with Canada, United Kingdom, EU schengen area, Israel and to 135 countries and territories
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. The country has a population of 750,000 and GDP of $1.2 billion. The country achieved independence from United Kingdom in 1978.
