A Guide to Tourist / Visitor Visas for Samoa
With a reputation for being a welcoming country, it’s no surprise that entry into Samoa is incredibly easy. There are no “visa-free countries” list and no visa applications; nationals from almost all of the world’s countries can visit Samoa for up to 90 days. Of course, you will need a passport and you will to meet the entry requirements for your visa to be permitted on arrival. We go through all of the requirements of a visitor visa and more in this complete guide to the Samoa tourist visa!
Do I Need a Passport to Visit Samoa?
Yes, you do need a passport for visiting Samoa. You will be required to show your passport both before boarding your flight to Samoa and on arrival.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you intend to leave Samoa. In other words, the date that you state on your Passenger Arrival Card. If you wish to travel to Samoa on a passport with less than six months validity after your intended departure date, then you must apply for a Waiver Letter through your local Samoa High Commission or Samoa Consulate-General. This incurs a fee.
For more travel documents to prepare, check out What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Samoa?
© SamoaPocketGuide.comDo I Need a Visa for Samoa?
There are no visas required for visiting Samoa. All visitors arriving in Samoa are automatically issued a visitors permit providing they meet the current entry requirements, as outlined on the Samoa Immigration Division‘s website.
Note that the entry requirements for nationals of American Samoa are different, so get in touch with your local embassy or consular for more details on entry to Samoa for American Samoans.
Samoa Visa Requirements (Entry Requirements)
In order to be granted a visitor visa on arrival to Samoa, you need:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay
- A confirmed onward travel ticket
- Visas for the next country of destination
- Sufficient funds to support oneself while in Samoa
- A confirmed residential contact address or accommodation arrangements.
For more information about having proof of your outbound or return ticket, as well as proof of accommodation, see What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Samoa?
What are Samoa’s Visa-Free Countries?
All countries for visitor travel to Samoa are visa-free! Although a common requirement of visiting many countries, you don’t have to be from a specific country to enjoy visiting Samoa visa-free. Note, however, there are different entry requirements for US Nationals of American Samoa.
Do You Need a Vaccine to Visit Samoa?
There are no current vaccination mandates to enter Samoa unless you have visited a yellow fever-risk area within the last six days. We list all the recommended and/or mandatory vaccines for a visit to Samoa in our article, Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to Samoa?
© SamoaPocketGuide.comThe Conditions of Samoa Tourist Visas
What does the Samoa tourist visa allow you to do in Samoa (i.e. the permit that you are automatically granted upon entry)? Here’s a quick rundown of the conditions of your Samoa tourist visa.
- For all international passport holders (excluding American Samoa citizens), the Samoa tourist visa allows you a stay of up to 90 days in Samoa
- Samoa tourist visas do not enable you to legally work in Samoa.
For staying longer in Samoa, as well as how to obtain different types of visas, check out our guide, How Long Can You Stay in Samoa on a Visitor Visa?
© SamoaPocketGuide.comFrequently Asked Questions About Tourist Visas for Samoa
Finally, what are the most common questions that people ask about tourist visas for Samoa? We go through some of them here!
How Long Can an NZ Citizen Stay in Samoa?
A New Zealand citizen can stay in Samoa for up to 90 days from arrival into Samoa, providing they meet the entry requirements. An extended stay is possible with a visitor visa extension, which you can find out more about in How Long Can You Stay in Samoa on a Visitor Visa?
How Do I Get a Visa for Samoa?
You do not need to get a visa for Samoa if you are visiting for up to 90 days. Visas for Samoa are only required if you want to stay longer and/or for the purpose of working, conducting business, studying, etc.
Is Samoa Visa-Free?
Yes, Samoa is visa-free for most nationals wishing to visit the country. The only exception to the rule is for US nationals of American Samoa.
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Samoa?
No, you do not need a visa to enter Samoa. You just need a valid passport and evidence of an onward travel ticket, as well as a few minor entry requirements that you can refer to in the “Samoa Visa Requirements” section above. For more documents you need for Samoa, check out What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Samoa?
Is Samoa Visa-Free for Indians?
Yes, Samoa is visa-free for Indians, as long as they can meet the entry requirements (valid passport, onward travel ticket, etc. – see the list of “Samoa Visa Requirements” above).
More About the Samoa Tourist and Visitor Visa
That’s it for our guide to the Samoa tourist visa and visas for visiting Samoa. For more talk about visa and travel documents, check out the following guides:
- How Much Does a Visa to Samoa Cost?
- What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Samoa?
- How Long Can You Stay in Samoa on a Visitor Visa?
Finally, for the complete entry process for arriving in Samoa, see Arriving at Faleolo Airport, Samoa: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Samoa Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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