Every way into Samoa.

Samoa grants a free Visitor Permit on arrival to all nationalities for stays of less than 60 days, issued at the border with no prior form. Travellers must hold a passport valid at least 6 months beyond entry, a return or onward ticket, evidence of sufficient funds (such as a bank statement), no record of deportation and no health risk to Samoa. Work is not permitted on a Visitor Permit. Visits of more than 60 days require a permit obtained in advance from a Samoa High Commission, Consulate or Embassy, or an in-country extension.

Government fee

WST 0

Max stay

60 days

Validity

60 days

Visitors already in Samoa who wish to stay beyond their free 60-day Visitor Permit apply in Apia to Samoa Immigration on form MPMC100 (visitor extension) for a further period as a visitor. The fee is WST 100 per person. Applicants must show an onward ticket out of Samoa, evidence of funds for support during the stay, and details of accommodation arrangements. Work remains prohibited. The extension keeps the holder in visitor status and does not by itself create a path to longer-term residence.

Government fee

WST 100

Samoa does not operate a separate transit visa: passengers transiting or stopping over use the same free on-arrival Visitor Permit available to all nationalities for stays of less than 60 days, requiring a passport valid 6 months beyond entry, an onward ticket and a visa for the next country where needed. There is no airside-only transit regime distinct from ordinary entry at Faleolo International Airport. Travellers continuing onward must hold the documentation required for their next destination.

Government fee

WST 0

Max stay

60 days

Validity

60 days

The Business Visitor Permit is for persons who are normally employed and paid offshore and who visit Samoa for a short stay to visit a branch of their company, conduct business negotiations with a Samoan company, or attend a business conference. It is granted within the free on-arrival visitor framework for stays of less than 60 days and carries no government fee. For any other business activity in Samoa, or to actually work, a Temporary Resident Permit is required instead. The permit does not authorise local employment.

Government fee

WST 0

Max stay

60 days

Validity

60 days

The Temporary Resident Permit for Study covers non-citizens enrolled at a Samoan education institution. Applicants submit a letter from the institution confirming enrolment (medical students need a Ministry of Health confirmation), evidence of funds to support themselves, and, where applicable, a scholarship letter or proof of private accommodation. The fee is WST 300 plus WST 150 per dependant. Persons staying 1 year or more must add medical and police reports. Students may work part-time only if specifically authorised. The permit is granted for the study period; longer-term residence runs through later permits.

• Work: Part-time work only if specifically authorised by Immigration.
• Study: Full enrolment at the confirming Samoan education institution.
• Family: Dependants may be included (WST 150 each); dependants may separately seek permission to work.

Government fee

WST 300

The Temporary Resident Permit for academic or scientific research is for researchers sponsored by an academic institution. Applicants must provide a letter from the sponsoring institution abroad, a supporting letter from a tertiary institution in Samoa, and evidence of funds and onward travel. The fee is WST 600 plus WST 300 per dependant, and the application must be lodged and decided before travel to Samoa. Holders are not permitted to undertake employment. Persons staying 1 year or more must add medical and police reports.

• Study: Permits the approved research project; not general enrolment.
• Family: Dependants may be included (WST 300 each).

Government fee

WST 600

The Temporary Resident Permit for Employment authorises a non-citizen to work for a specific nominated Samoan employer. The employer must complete an Employer Sponsorship form, and the application is referred to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, which decides whether a non-citizen may be employed before the permit is granted. The permit ties the holder to the nominated employer; if that employment ceases the permit is liable to cancellation. The fee is WST 600 plus WST 300 per dependant if lodged offshore, or WST 1,200 plus WST 300 per dependant if lodged in Samoa. Persons staying 1 year or more must file medical and police reports. Applications should be lodged about 30 days before travel.

• Work: Authorises work only for the employer nominated in the application; permit is cancellable if that employment ends.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and dependent children may be included (WST 300 each); dependants may separately seek permission to work.

Government fee

WST 600

Samoa enacted a citizenship-by-investment scheme through the Citizenship Investment Act 2015, launched in 2017, offering Samoan citizenship to investors meeting wealth and investment thresholds (a minimum net worth around USD 1 million and a qualifying investment of about USD 1.5 million in real estate, approved economic sectors or a government fund). The programme has remained effectively dormant, attracting essentially no completed applications, and Cabinet has been considering reforms (e.g. adding government bonds and a national development fund) rather than active marketing. It is legally on the books but not a functioning route in 2026; figures should be confirmed before relying on them.

• Work: Successful applicants would acquire citizenship with full rights, but the scheme is dormant in practice.
• Study: Citizens have unrestricted study access.
• Residency: Designed to confer citizenship directly; in practice non-functioning as of 2026.
• Family: Investor schemes of this type typically allow dependants, but specifics are unverified given dormancy.

Min. investment

$1,500,000

The Temporary Resident Permit for Conduct of Business lets a non-citizen establish a business, invest, or otherwise conduct business in Samoa. Before applying, the investor must register with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, obtain a Foreign Investment Certificate and business licence, and complete company registration. The permit can run up to three years. The fee is WST 600 plus WST 300 per dependant if lodged offshore, or WST 1,200 plus WST 300 per dependant if lodged in Samoa (the higher in-country fee is not charged for renewals with the same business). Certain sectors are reserved for Samoan citizens (e.g. retail, taxis, rental vehicles) or restricted (e.g. fishing capped at 40% foreign equity). No fixed minimum investment amount is published in immigration rules.

• Work: Authorises operating the registered business; sector reservations and equity caps under the Foreign Investment Act apply.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and dependent children may be included (WST 300 each).

Government fee

WST 600

Validity

1,095 days

The Temporary Resident Permit for Family Reunion or Family Support lets a non-citizen join or support family in Samoa. Applicants provide a statement describing the visit (or organiser confirmation), a host letter confirming accommodation, and evidence of funds to support themselves. The fee is WST 100 plus WST 50 per dependant. Holders are not permitted to work. Persons staying 1 year or more must add medical and police reports. The permit covers the family-based stay rather than employment.

• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Designed around family; spouse and dependent children included (WST 50 each).

Government fee

WST 100

Spouses and dependent children of Samoan citizens are an eligible category for residence under the Immigration Act 2020, providing a family-based pathway distinct from the employment and business permits. Family of a citizen may be granted a Permanent Resident Permit; processing of Permanent Resident applications is reported at around 10 working days. Applicants lodge the standard immigration paperwork with proof of the family relationship to the Samoan citizen. The published immigration fee schedule does not state a specific fee for this category, so the amount is recorded as unverified.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work in Samoa; specific work conditions are set on grant.
• Study: Residence permits study in Samoa.
• Residency: Family of a citizen can be granted permanent residence directly; the period required is set case by case.
• Family: This route is specifically for the spouse and dependent children of a Samoan citizen.

Processing time

10 days

The Temporary Resident Permit for Cultural or Religious Purposes covers missionaries, clergy and participants in cultural or religious activities hosted in Samoa. Applicants must provide a confirmation letter from the church or event organisers, a letter from hosts confirming accommodation, and evidence of funds. The fee is WST 100 plus WST 50 per dependant. Holders are not permitted to undertake paid employment. Persons staying 1 year or more must add medical and police reports.

• Family: Dependants may be included (WST 50 each).

Government fee

WST 100

The Permanent Resident Permit is the long-term settlement category under the Immigration Act 2020 (in force 2024). It is generally reached after sustained lawful temporary residence (commonly cited as around 10 years) together with good character and financial stability, or through significant economic investment, or family ties to a Samoan citizen. Processing of permanent-residence applications is reported at about 10 working days. There is no published passive points or income test in the immigration rules, and the official fee schedule does not state a single headline fee, so the amount is recorded as unverified. Foreign nationals cannot own customary land, which makes up most of Samoa's land.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work in Samoa without a separate employer-tied permit.
• Study: Full access to study as a resident.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalisation as a Samoan citizen is governed separately by the Citizenship Act.
• Family: Spouse and dependent children may be included or qualify on family-of-resident grounds.

Processing time

10 days