Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Matagaluega a le Palemia ma le Kapeneta

Permit Services

By legislation, we service four types of entry permits: Visitor, Temporary Resident, Permanent Resident, and Ministerial.

Visitors

Visitors to Samoa can apply for a 90-day Visitor Permit on arrival using the arrival card. Travelers must have:

  • a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay
  • confirmed onward tickets (Return Ticket)
  • visas for the next country of destination
  • sufficient funds to support themselves (while in Samoa)
  • confirmed residential contact address

Work is not permitted on a Visitor Permit. Visitors who are in Samoa and wish to apply for a further period of stay as a visitor should use the temporary residence form. A Business Visitor Permit is for persons normally employed and paid offshore who are visiting Samoa for a short visit, to visit a branch of their company, to conduct business negotiations with a Samoan company or to attend a business conference.

For other business activity in Samoa, a Temporary Resident Permit is required.

Application for further extension of  your 90-day Visitor’s permit:

To apply for this extension, you must:

  • Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
  • Attach a photocopy of onward ticket out of Samoa
  • Provide evidence of sufficient funds to support your extended stay
  • Provide details of accommodation arrangements

Temporary Residence Information

Temporary Residence in Samoa can be issued for the following purposes:

  • Business and Investment
  • Employment
  • Study
  • Academic Research
  • Cultural and Religious purposes
  • Family Support or Reunion

Temporary Resident Permit for conduct of business or invest in Samoa:

Before applying for a Temporary Resident permit for business, investors need:

With these prerequisite documents, investors also need to submit the following:

Temporary Resident Permit for Employment:

To apply for temporary residence for Employment purposes, applicants must:

  • Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
  • Attach a completed Employer Sponsorship form (MPMC101)
  • Attach Medical and Police reports (MPMC102, MPMC103)
  • Enclose originals or certified copies of qualifications, or any supporting reference/documents

(A copy of the permit application will be provided to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Labour who will recommend if employment of a non-citizen is in the best interests of Samoa.)

Temporary Resident Permit for Study in Samoa:

To apply for temporary residence for Study purposes, applicants must:

  • Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
  • Attach a confirmation letter of enrollment from the relevant Educational institution; for Medical students, the confirmation letter must be provided by the Samoa Ministry of Health
  • Provide evidence of funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay
  • Provide a letter confirming details of award if studying under a scholarship, or evidence of accommodation if studying as a private student

Temporary Resident Permit for academic or scientific research in Samoa:

To apply for temporary residence for academic or scientific research purposes, applicants must:

  • Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
  • Provide a letter from your sponsoring academic institution to support your research
  • Provide a letter from any academic institution in Samoa supporting your research
  • Provide evidence of funds to support yourself while in Samoa
  • Provide evidence of your travel out of Samoa
  • Attach Medical and Police reports (MPMC102, MPMC103)

Your entry permit MUST be approved and granted before travel to Samoa.

Temporary Resident Permit for Cultural or Religious Purposes:

To apply for temporary residence for cultural or religious purposes, applicants must:

  • Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
  • Provide a confirmation letter from organizers of the event
  • Provide a letter from hosts indicating accommodation arrangements
  • Provide evidence of funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay

Temporary Resident Permit for Family Reunion or Family Support:

To apply for temporary residence for family reunion or family support purposes, applicants must:

  • Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
  • Provide a confirmation letter from organizers of the event
  • Provide a letter from hosts indicating accommodation arrangements
  • Provide evidence of funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay
  • Attach Medical and Police reports (MPMC102, MPMC103)

MEDICAL REPORTS

A medical report is required for ALL persons intending to stay for 1 year or more (for those over 16 years of age).

A separate report is needed for each individual traveling to Samoa.

POLICE REPORTS

A police report is required for ALL persons over 18 years intending to stay for 1 year or more. It should include police reports from authorities of every country you have lived in for more than 1 year in the last 5 years.

Note on Employment:

It is an offence for a non-citizen to undertake employment in Samoa unless their Employment Permit specifically authorizes such employment.

Where a Temporary Resident Permit for Employment Purposes is granted, the holder is permitted to work for the employer nominated in the application. If this employment ceases for any reason, the Permit is subject to cancellation and the person must leave the country or apply for a new permit to remain in Samoa.

Visitors, Academic Researchers, Cultural and Religious personnel permit holders are not permitted to work in Samoa.

Students may work part time, if authorized. Dependents of permit holders may seek authority to undertake employment in Samoa during the validity period of the principal applicant’s permit.