Permits
By law we issue four types of entry permit: Visitor, Temporary Resident, Permanent Resident and Ministerial. Permit applications take 10 working days.
Visiting Samoa
Visitors can get a 90-day Visitor Permit on arrival using the arrival card. You must have:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
- a confirmed return or onward ticket
- visas for the next country you're travelling to
- enough money to support yourself while in Samoa
- a confirmed address where you'll be staying
Business visitors
A Business Visitor Permit is for people employed and paid overseas who are making a short visit to Samoa: to visit a branch of their company, hold business negotiations with a Samoan company, or attend a business conference. Any other business activity in Samoa needs a Temporary Resident Permit.
Extend your visitor stay
If you're already in Samoa and want to stay longer than your 90-day Visitor Permit, you need to:
- complete the temporary residence application form (MPMC100)
- attach a photocopy of your onward ticket out of Samoa
- provide evidence of enough money to support your extended stay
- give details of where you'll be staying
Temporary residence
A Temporary Resident Permit can be issued for business and investment, employment, study, academic research, cultural and religious purposes, or family support and reunion. All applications use the temporary residence form (MPMC100).
Your entry permit must be approved and granted before you travel to Samoa.Business and investment
Before you apply, you need:- an Investment Certificate from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
- a Business Licence from the Ministry for Revenue
- company registration confirmation from the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration
Employment
- Attach a completed Employer Sponsorship form (MPMC101).
- Attach medical and police reports.
- Include originals or certified copies of your qualifications and any references or supporting documents.
Study
- Attach a letter confirming your enrolment from the education institution. Medical students need this letter from the Samoa Ministry of Health.
- Provide evidence of money to support yourself for your whole stay.
- If you're on a scholarship, provide a letter confirming the award. If you're a private student, provide evidence of your accommodation.
Academic or scientific research
- A letter from your sponsoring academic institution supporting your research
- A letter from an academic institution in Samoa supporting your research
- Evidence of money to support yourself while in Samoa
- Evidence of your travel out of Samoa
Cultural or religious purposes
- A confirmation letter from the organisers of the event
- A letter from your hosts setting out your accommodation
Family reunion or family support
Contact the Immigration Office to check what you need to include with your application.
Permanent residence
Apply to live in Samoa permanently with the permanent residence application form (MPMC105). Contact the Immigration Office to check whether you're eligible and what to include.
Medical and police reports
Medical reports
Everyone over 16 who plans to stay for 1 year or more needs a medical report (MPMC102). Each person travelling to Samoa needs their own report.
Police reports
Everyone over 18 who plans to stay for 1 year or more needs a police report. Include a report from every country you've lived in for more than 1 year in the last 5 years.
Working in Samoa
- It's an offence for a non-citizen to work in Samoa unless their permit specifically allows it.
- A Temporary Resident Permit for employment lets you work only for the employer named in your application. If that job ends for any reason, your permit may be cancelled, and you must leave Samoa or apply for a new permit.
- Visitors, academic researchers, and cultural and religious permit holders can't work in Samoa.
- Students may work part time if authorised.
- Dependants of permit holders can apply for authority to work while the main applicant's permit is valid.
Permit fees
Pay the fee when you lodge your application. All fees are in Samoan Tālā and are non-refundable.
SAT$1,800 in country SAT$450 Study SAT$450 SAT$200 Academic or scientific research SAT$1,200 SAT$450 Cultural or religious purposes SAT$300 SAT$200 Family reunion or support SAT$200 (any applicant) SAT$200 Purpose approved by the Minister SAT$300 SAT$150 Permanent residence SAT$3,200 adult SAT$1,100 child (17 and under) Permanent residence · connection by blood SAT$550 –
Permit applications take 10 working days. Other permit fees, such as reviews, reissues and overstayer fees, are on the full fee schedule.