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Missionary Worker 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?

A missionary worker performs religious work in American Samoa outside the provision's definition of minister. Entry must be solely for carrying on religious work for the organisation.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Examples of qualifying roles and the full boundary with minister status remain unestablished.
  • ASAC Title 41, 2024 Edition, 41.0328(d)
    pose 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. (d) "Missionary worker", as used in this section, encompasses all individuals performing religious work in American Samoa not included within the definition of "minister" as set forth in subsection (a) of this section. (e) An alien missionary worker shall be allowed to enter and remain in American Samoa, provided that: (1) it is established to the satisfaction of the immigration board that there are not American Samoans available to perform the type of missionary work to be done by the person requested; (2) he/she is entering solely for the purpose of carrying on religiou
  • ASAC 41.0328(e)(2)
    ion of "minister" as set forth in subsection (a) of this section. (e) An alien missionary worker shall be allowed to enter and remain in American Samoa, provided that: (1) it is established to the satisfaction of the immigration board that there are not American Samoans available to perform the type of missionary work to be done by the person requested; (2) he/she is entering solely for the purpose of carrying on religious work for the organization; (3) 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 (4) his/her services are requested by the religious organization in American Samoa. (f) If the individual ceases to perform the missionary or ministerial service

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

A religious organisation already established in American Samoa must need and request the missionary worker: 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. Missionary workers face an extra condition: it must be established to the satisfaction of the immigration board that there are not American Samoans available to perform the type of missionary work to be done by the person requested.

See recorded sources
  • ASAC 41.0328(e)(1)
    it is established to the satisfaction of the immigration board that there are not American Samoans available to perform the type of missionary work to be done by the person requested;
  • ASAC 41.0328(e)(4)
    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 from the religious organisation on the prescribed form, plus proof that the role cannot be filled locally: 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, and the immigration board must be satisfied that there are not American Samoans available to perform the type of missionary work to be done by the person requested.

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(e)(1)
    it is established to the satisfaction of the immigration board that there are not American Samoans available to perform the type of missionary work to be done by the person requested;

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

Subtype: RELIGIOUS — missionary worker. The reviewed administrative rules do not specify whether a missionary worker may receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement, or set a maintenance minimum. Fees may be waived on request with a showing of hardship. Entry as a missionary worker is solely for religious work for the organisation. If the person ceases the missionary services contemplated by the original approval, the rule requires departure within 20 days or application of the numerical limitations within 30 days. For any other employment, the general rule requires prior written approval of the office or board; the missionary permission alone does not demonstrate approval for it.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The reviewed rules do not state salary or in-kind support terms for missionary workers, or whether non-employment activities outside the approved religious work are permitted.

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

Stay length is chosen at the petition stage: form P45 covers a stay of more than one year and form P50 a stay of one year or less. Missionary workers are exempt from the numerical limitations on their registration pursuant to A.S.C.A. 41.0301(d). A missionary worker who ceases the approved missionary service 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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