How Long Can You Stay in Samoa on a Visitor Visa?

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How Long Can You Stay in Samoa on a Visitor Visa?

How long can you visit Samoa? On a standard tourist visa that is granted upon arrival into Samoa, the following duration of stay applies:

• For all international passport holders (excluding American Samoa citizens), the Samoa tourist visa allows you a stay of up to 90 days in Samoa.

For more conditions of your tourist visa, check out Samoa Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Samoa?

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How to Stay in Samoa for Longer

There are several ways to legally stay in Samoa for longer. For the purpose of visiting Samoa for longer, in other words, staying for recreation and holiday, there are visitor visa extensions available. Otherwise, there are alternative visas to stay for longer – see “The Other Visas to Stay Longer in Samoa” section below.

Samoa Visitor Visa Extensions

Extensions for visitors to stay in Samoa are available. Visa extension applications can only be lodged while you are in Samoa. While there is no stated limit to how long visitors can stay in Samoa on a visitor extension, note that you will need evidence of an intended date of departure, i.e. an outward travel ticket. In other words, you are applying for how long you want to stay in Samoa as a visitor.

With the above in mind, you may want to book a flexible outward ticket in case your application is denied.

How to Apply for a Samoa Visitor Extension

Visitor extensions for Samoa can be applied for by completing the Application for a Temporary Resident Permit (MPMC100) form. There are specific sections of this form pertaining to visitor extensions.

To complete the application, you must do the following:

1. Complete all of the relevant fields of the form and sign it
2. Attach all of the required documents (originals or certified copies)
3. Attach two recent passport-sized photographs of the main applicant and each dependent
4. Pay the application fee
5. Lodge the application at the Immigration Division in Apia.

Address: Convent Street, Apia, Upolu
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, Wednesdays 9am to 3.30pm.
Phone: (685) 20291 or 20292
Email: immigration@samoa.ws

Note that processing times for visa extensions can take up to 30 days, so we recommend lodging your application as soon as possible once you arrive in Samoa.

Evidence Required to Extend Your Visitor Visa for Samoa

In order to apply for a visitor visa extension for Samoa, you must provide the following evidence:

• An onward travel ticket from Samoa
• Evidence of funds to support your stay in Samoa (e.g. bank statements, credit card statements, internet banking sheet, etc.)
• Details of your accommodation arrangements
• Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant and each dependent
• Local currency to pay the fee (see How Much Does a Visa Cost for Samoa?).

If you plan to stay in Samoa for more than a year, you must also attach a medical and police report.

The application will also require you to state what tourism activities have you engaged in during your stay and what you intend to do for the remainder of your stay.

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The Other Visas to Stay Longer in Samoa

Other ways to stay in Samoa for longer are by obtaining a Temporary Resident Permit for the purpose of business and investment, employment, study, academic research, cultural and religious purposes or family support or reunion. Needless to say, the process for these visas is more complex than extending a visitor visa.

Work Visas for Samoa

Those wishing to take up employment in Samoa must apply for a Temporary Resident Permit and will need to:

• 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.

Note that a copy of the visa application will be provided to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour which will recommend if the employment of a non-citizen is in the best interests of Samoa.

Student Visas for Samoa

Those wishing to study in Samoa must apply for a Temporary Resident Permit and will need to:

• 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 the award if studying under a scholarship, or evidence of accommodation if studying as a private student.

Samoa Business and Investment Visas

Those wishing to conduct business or investment in Samoa must apply for a Temporary Resident Permit and will need:

• Complete the application form for temporary residence (MPMC100)
• Attach Medical and Police reports (MPMC102, MPMC103)
• An Investment Certificate from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
• A Business License from the Ministry for Revenue, and Company Registration confirmation from the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.

Samoa Visas for Academic Research, Cultural or Religious Purposes, or Family Reunion or Support

Temporary Residency Permits are also available to those wishing to conduct academic or scientific research, visit Samoa for cultural or religious purposes, or for a family reunion or family support. Details on what is required to apply for these visas can be found on the Immigration Division page of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.