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Minister Permission

American SamoaCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in American Samoa Read the five questions ↓

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

American Samoa's minister provision covers a person authorized by a recognized religious denomination with a bona fide organization in American Samoa to conduct worship and customary pastoral duties; it also includes a person authorized by an interdenominational organization designed to assist the various religions. Entry as a minister requires ministry to be the sole purpose of entry, the services to be needed by the denomination or interdenominational religious organization, and the services to be requested by the religious organization in American Samoa.

See recorded sources
  • American Samoa Administrative Code, Title 41, 2024 edition, §41.0328(b)
    "Minister", as used in this section, means a person duly authorized by a recognized religious denomination having a bona fide organization in American Samoa to conduct religious worship and to perform other duties usually performed by a regular ordained pastor or clergyman of such denomination. The term shall also apply to persons duly authorized by an interdenominational organization designed to assist the various religions.
  • American Samoa Administrative Code, Title 41, 2024 edition, §41.0328(c)(1)–(3)
    An alien shall be allowed to enter and remain as a minister in American Samoa; provided, that: (1) he/she is entering solely for the purpose of carrying on the vocation of minister of a religious denomination; (2) his/her services are needed by such religious denomination having a bona fide organization in American Samoa or his/her services are needed by an interdenominational religious organization; and (3) his/her services are requested by the religious organization in American Samoa.

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

A religious body already established in American Samoa must support the minister: the services must be needed by a religious denomination having a bona fide organisation in American Samoa, or by an interdenominational religious organisation, and must be requested by the religious organisation in American Samoa. A denomination with no bona fide organisation in the territory cannot sponsor a minister under this route, and the request must come from the local organisation rather than from the applicant.

See recorded sources
  • ASAC 41.0328(c)(2)
    his/her services are needed by such religious denomination having a bona fide organization in American Samoa or his/her services are needed by an interdenominational religious organization; and
  • ASAC 41.0328(c)(3)
    his/her services are requested by the religious organization in American Samoa.

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

The proof is a petition filed by the religious organisation on a prescribed form: requests for ministers or missionary workers shall be filed on form P45 if the stay is for more than one year and on form P50 if the stay is for one year or less. The petition must establish that the minister is duly authorised by a recognised religious denomination having a bona fide organisation in American Samoa, that the denomination needs the services, and that it has requested them.

See recorded sources
  • ASAC 41.0328(g)
    Requests for "ministers" or "missionary" workers shall be filed on form P45 if the stay is for more than one year and on form P50 if the stay is for one year or less.
  • ASAC 41.0328(a)
    The Attorney General or his designee is delegated the authority and responsibility to grant entry and oversee the orderly processing of ministers and missionary workers of the community.

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

Subtype: RELIGIOUS — minister. The reviewed administrative rules do not specify whether a minister may receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement, or set a minimum income or maintenance figure. Fees may be waived on request with a showing of hardship. Entry as a minister is for the vocation of minister of a religious denomination. If the person stops performing the ministerial services contemplated by the original approval, the rule requires departure within 20 days or application of the numerical limitations within 30 days. For other employment, the general rule bars an alien from seeking or taking employment without prior written approval of the office or board.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The reviewed rules do not specify remuneration or in-kind support for this minister route, or whether particular other activities beyond employment are permitted.

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

The stay length depends on the petition form: form P45 if the stay is for more than one year and form P50 if the stay is for one year or less. Ministers and missionary workers are exempt from the numerical limitations on their registration. A minister who ceases to perform the ministerial services contemplated in the original approval must depart American Samoa within 20 days or shall be subject to the numerical limitations within 30 days. The official source does not state whether family may accompany or whether the status can be extended.

See recorded sources
  • ASAC 41.0328(a)
    the numerical limitations as to their registration are hereby waived pursuant to A.S.C.A. 41.0301(d)
  • ASAC 41.0328(f)
    he/she must depart American Samoa within 20 days or shall be subject to the numerical limitations within 30 days.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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