Privacy policy
How the Immigration Division handles information when you use this website. Last updated: [date of launch].
This website, immigration.gov.ws, is run by the Immigration Division of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC), Government of Samoa. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the website and what we do with it.
What we collect
You can use this website without telling us who you are. We don't ask you to register, log in or fill in forms on the site.
When you visit, we collect only technical information that any website receives:
- Server logs: our hosting provider and security software record your IP address, browser type, the pages you visit, and the date and time. We use these logs to keep the site running and secure, and to investigate attacks or misuse.
- Visitor statistics: we use Cloudflare Web Analytics to count visits and see which pages are most used. It doesn't use cookies, and it doesn't identify you or follow you to other websites.
- Search: what you type into the search box is used to show you results. We don't link searches to you.
Cookies
This website doesn't set cookies for visitors. Staff who log in to manage the site receive a login cookie, which isn't used for any other purpose.
Services from other organisations
To run the site, we use:
- Cloudflare, which protects the site against attacks and delivers pages quickly. Your connection passes through Cloudflare's network.
- Opalstack, which hosts the website.
- Google Fonts, which supplies the fonts. Your browser downloads them from Google, which receives your IP address when it does.
Each of these services has its own privacy policy.
When you follow a link to another website, such as Google Maps or a news site, that website's privacy policy applies, not this one.
When you contact us or apply
Applications for passports, permits and citizenship are made with paper forms or in person, not through this website.
When you email us, phone us or visit an office, we use your details only to answer your enquiry or process your application. We handle them under the laws of Samoa that apply to the Immigration Division and MPMC [MPMC to confirm whether to name the specific Acts]. We may share your information with other government agencies only where the law allows or requires it.
How long we keep information
Server and security logs are kept for [90 days] and then deleted. Visitor statistics are kept only as totals.
Your rights
You can ask us what information we hold about you, and ask us to correct it if it's wrong. Contact us using the details below.
Contact us
Immigration Division, Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Level 1, FMFMII Government Building, Eleele Fou, Apia, Samoa
Phone: +685 20291
Email: [privacy contact: [email protected] or a dedicated address]
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we'll update it on this page and change the "Last updated" date.