Kiribati sits in Micronesia. Its immigration system runs 26 distinct routes — led by work, family and special cases, each set out in official law. All 26 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
1 further route is recorded for Kiribati but not shown here — its details are still under review.
All 26 routes, grouped by purpose — 26 of 26 cite an official government source directly.
Requires a signed offer of genuine, sustainable, full-time paid employment, an eligible employer, no suitable Kiribati citizen or resident available, and the general work-visa health, character and bona-fide requirements.
Contractual or independent supplier needed to perform services in Kiribati. Requires evidence of need, a service contract, sponsorship, suitable qualifications and time-bound work.
Business visitor who meets the business-visitor criteria but needs to stay longer than the short-stay allowance. Requires evidence of the necessary period and the business activities in Kiribati.
Manager, senior, executive or specialist transferred to a Kiribati branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Requires evidence of position, terms and duration of transfer, sufficient funds and suitable qualifications.
Media, film or video production crew with documented production terms and duration. Work must be time-bound and the applicant suitably qualified.
Manager, senior or specialist business person on a short-term secondment in a Kiribati company or subsidiary. Requires recognised job offer, evidence of position, secondment terms and sufficient funds.
Installer or service specialist for machinery or equipment supplied by an overseas company. Must show that the installation or servicing can only be undertaken by the applicant and demonstrate sufficient funds.
Domestic staff member aged over 18, suitably trained or experienced, accompanying diplomatic, consular or official staff posted to Kiribati. Employer must guarantee employment, accommodation, maintenance and repatriation.
Foreign investor holding a valid Foreign Investment Certificate for an approved investment in Kiribati. The proposed investment is subject to the foreign-investment approval and economic-needs framework.
Well-qualified academic or researcher employed by an overseas institution or possessing substantial academic/research experience, undertaking educational, professional-management or research activities in Kiribati without local employment.
Applicant undertaking an approved programme of study lasting more than three months. Requires an offer or confirmation of enrolment, payment of tuition fees or an exemption, bona fide temporary intent, health and character compliance, and sufficient funds or acceptable sponsorship.
Dependent child of a Kiribati citizen or resident. The parent must intend to be in Kiribati for the same period and support the application. Dependent child rules require the applicant to be single, under 20 and financially reliant, with additional childlessness condition at ages 18–19.
Partner of a Kiribati citizen or resident visa holder who is living with the sponsor in a genuine and stable relationship. The sponsor must intend to be in Kiribati for the same period and support the application.
Partner or dependent child of a Kiribati student or work visa holder. A separate temporary visa appropriate to the family member's needs is required. Partner means a legal spouse or a person in a genuine and stable relationship; a dependent child is single, under 20, childless if aged 18–19, and financially reliant on the principal applicant or partner.
Partner of a Kiribati citizen or resident visa holder, living together in a genuine and stable relationship, with both intending to live in Kiribati for the same period.
Applicant of full age and capacity who has been ordinarily resident in Kiribati for the immediately preceding three years, intends to continue residing, is of good character, has conversational Kiribati unless exempted for disability, respects Kiribati customs and has adequate means of support.
Religious worker sponsored by a recognised religious organisation with a genuine need for the applicant's services and a documented religious role or arrangement. General health, character and bona-fide requirements apply.
Must qualify as a business visitor whose activities are not employment and meet the general visitor requirements.
Must meet temporary-entry lodgement, bona fide, health and character, funds or sponsorship, onward-travel and lawful-purpose requirements.
Person in Kiribati whose claim to refugee status is being assessed under the applicable refugee-status process.
Referee or judge invited to officiate at a sports event, show or exhibition in Kiribati. Requires an invitation and evidence of the event programme or schedule.
Genuine passenger transiting Kiribati to another destination. A visa is required unless a statutory exemption or visa-waiver applies; onward travel must be established.
Diplomatic, consular or official staff member posted to Kiribati following a formal request or notification from the sending State or relevant organisation.
Person already in Kiribati who held temporary status and has a further temporary-visa application or review pending. The visa is granted only on Immigration's initiative and cannot be applied for as an independent route.
Admission for an expressly defined and limited purpose, such as a short course, event, family emergency, milestone or another specific non-employment purpose approved by Immigration.
Member of a visiting force, civilian component or military craft entering at the request or with the consent of the Government of Kiribati, or otherwise carrying out authorised duties.
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