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Samoa - Immigration and Visas
One of the most frequent requests for information that we receive concerns visas for Samoa and residency in Samoa. We selected some of the more popular requests for information and sent a fax to the Samoan Embassy in Brussels for clarification of the issues. Annie Meredith replied on behalf of the ambassador.Please note that these terms only apply to Samoa; American Samoa has different legislation.
The Entry to Samoa document may also be of interest.
Q. Medical students who wish to carry out their elective in Samoa are able to obtain a short-term work visa so long as their application is accompanied by a letter from the hospital they will be working at. Are there any other recognised short-term forms of employment.
A. No
Q. Do crew members of yachts need to gain a work permit for the period of time that the boat is moored in Samoa?
A. Only if they intend to work in Samoa
Q. How does a visitor to Samoa extend their visitors visa if they decide to spend longer than originally intended?
A. Enquiries on possible extension should be directed to the Immigration Section of the Prime Minister's Department, Apia
Q. If a visitor to Samoa is made an offer of employment, what procedure do they have to follow to convert their visitors visa to a work visa.
A. He/she concerned must leave the country whilst his/her application is being considered.
Q. How do academics wishing to carry out research in Samoa obtain visasa for periods greater than six months.
A. Applications to carry out any kind of studies/reseach etc. must be made to the Secretary, Prime Minister's Department, through the nearest diplomatic mission.
Q. If a non-working visitor obtains a sponsor in Samoa is it possible to receive a visa for a period longer than six months.
A. No, visas are only issued in the first instance for a maximum period of six months.
Q. How can a Samoan born outside of Samoa obtain residency? If only one parent is Samoan is it still possible to obtain residency?
A. A person who is born outside of Samoa after 1972, but of parents who are/were Samoan citizens at the time of
the childs birth, can apply for citizenship by descent, under section 5 of the Citizenship Act 1972.
Yes, it is still possible to obtain citizenship (by descent) if only one parent is Samoan.
Q. In the case where a spouse or de-facto partner obtains employment in Samoa, will a work visa be issued to the unemployed spouse/partner.
A. No.
Q. Will a longstanding de-facto partner of a Samoan national be recognised for residency purposes? If so how is the term longstanding defined?
A. Long-standing de-facto relationships are not recognised for residency purposes.
Date: January 16th 2000
Added by: Tim Sansom