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Samoa Visa Policy

According to the visa policy of Samoa, all nationalities can visit the island without needing visas for a short time, but they must hold passports with a minimum validity of 6 months. Alongside the passport is a copy of a bank statement for a minimum of three months, a clean bill of health, and no history of deportation from other countries or criminal history.

If you meet these requirements, your trip to Samoa for a short visit is guaranteed. Visitors from all nationalities are allowed to stay for up to 60 days without visas unless there is a different situation where a visa may be allowed.

Visa Free Agreements

Samoa has signed visa waiver agreements with a host of several countries, including the European Union. Under this agreement, all EU citizens who are members of the Schengen Area can visit Samoa and stay for up to 90 days in 6 months without needing a visa. These short visits can be tourist related or for any other purpose.

Russians also enjoy visa-free trips under the agreement, but they are allowed to stay for only 60 days without visas. Macau citizens can stay for 30 days, just like citizens from other countries.

If you must visit Samoa visa-free, there are some conditions you must meet, such as staying within the period of grace and seeking or engaging in any paid employment during your time on the island.

Samoan Travel Information And Tips

As you prepare your visa application or travel to Samoa, here is some important information you should remember.

Conservative Custom: The first thing to bear in mind long before you land in Samoa is that the society is strictly conservative and has practices you may find odd. It is important to read the Pacific Basin Development Council guidelines for the Tourism Office of Samoa to give you additional insight besides what is provided in this article.

Etiquettes: It is wrong in Samoan society to talk to others while standing or to eat while walking around the village. Such practices are frowned upon.

Leg Placement: You must not stretch your legs in front of your sitting position; your legs must be folded beneath you, and a mat for covering your legs.

Driving: It's impolite to drive past a meeting place of men seated in a circle with mats covering their legs as they discuss business or other important issues. Such gatherings are called mates. If you must pass them on foot, avoid opening an umbrella or carrying a load on your shoulder.

Religious Devotion: If you arrive at a family home and they are observing prayers or worship, you must wait outside until they are done. In case you are inside before they start, it is respectful to participate in the services. When going to Church, wearing flowers is forbidden. If you are ever in doubt about anything, consult the locals for more information, and they will be all too willing to help. The locals take great pleasure in educating strangers about their culture.

Visiting Homes: If you have been invited to stay in the home of a local, you must let them know at the beginning of your visit how long you plan to stay. When it is time to leave, it is customary to give "mea alofa," which is a small gift as a heartfelt thank you. This can be as little as $5-$10 per family member; make sure you inform your host that it is a gift, not payment for their hospitality.

Swimming In Beaches: Samoa is surrounded by beaches and waterfalls, and most of them are open to visitors, but you may be asked to pay a meager custom fee. Residents and foreigners pay this fee. Note that almost everything you see on the island belongs to an "aiga," so it is wise to ask for permission from a matai before using it, such as visiting waterfalls, using a beach, or crossing a property. Courtesy is greatly appreciated.

Dress Conservatively: Samoa is a conservative society where modesty is encouraged. Always dress conservatively throughout your stay; don't wear clothes that expose your body, like bathing suits, shorts, halter neck tops, or skimpy clothing, even if you are at the beach. Shorts that reach the knee may be worn by men or women in the city, but it covers their traditional tattoo as exposing tattoos is viewed as an insult to the tradition.

Apply For Your Visa Several Weeks Ahead: It's always best to apply for your visa at least several weeks in advance before the day you have set for your visit. Samoan embassies take an average of three weeks or process applications, which may take longer in some cases. The time starts counting only after the office receives your application. If you are applying through an agent, this may take a little bit of time.

Extending Your Stay: You may apply for an extension of your stay whether you visit with or without a visa, but the number of extended days or weeks is not up to you to decide but the visa officer. Extensions can only be done after arriving in Samoa, and the application must be submitted before your current stay or visa expires. After submitting your application to the immigration office, the official on duty will decide on the number of days to give you.

Holding A Flight Ticket is Mandatory: All visitors must have confirmed flight tickets for their return trip to their countries of residence. If they wish to depart by sea, they must show a ticket for the same. This is especially true for transit visitors as it proves they plan to stay only for as long as their visa suggests. The ticket exit date must match their travel information.

Business Visits: As a business visitor, you must clearly state your purpose in a cover letter signed by you. The letter should contain details about your itinerary and your business information. If you have been invited by a host, they must issue a letter stating the purpose of your visit, their information, and more. Let us also point out that converting a business visa into a work visa is illegal.

Don't Overstay: On no account must you stay in Samoa beyond the agreed period. If you are coming as a visa-free visitor, be mindful of the visa-free days your passport allows you, and if you are on a visa, wait to stay until it expires. Exit the island on or before the day to avoid sanctions.

Financial Sufficiency: You must have sufficient funds to cover your expenses with documents to prove the same. A statement of account is an accepted document for that. Furthermore, visitors can arrive with cash or a credit card, but you can bring a maximum amount of cash. If it exceeds $10,000, you must declare it at the arrival point.

How To Apply For A Samoan Visa

If you will spend more than a month to three months, depending on your nationality, you will need to apply for a visa. This process involves submitting your application to the Samoan foreign mission abroad. If there is no foreign mission in your country or region, you may submit to a licensed visa agent handling visa applications for the Samoan foreign affairs ministries.

You will need to submit a completed visa application form containing all your details, your passport with a minimum of 6 months validity, proof of funds statement of account, an application fee for processing, etc. The processing takes between 2-5 weeks.

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If you are planning a trip to Samoa, you are in for an exciting time, but before then, you need to arrange all the documents you will need according to the requirements for foreigners.