For the relevant traveller scope, is a visa, electronic authorisation, visa on arrival or no advance visa normally required?
For a traveller within the published offshore-paid business visitor scope who does not already hold Samoan citizenship or a valid temporary resident permit, Samoa Immigration describes a free visitor permit on arrival, subject to its border conditions; its permit page says the arrival card is used. The Act expressly permits a visitor permit for business purposes. This does not establish visa-free eligibility for every nationality or every business activity.
See recorded sources
Limits of the record
- The official material reviewed does not provide a complete nationality-by-nationality entry matrix or establish every exception to the arrival process.
- MPMC Permit Services, Business Visitor under Visitors; separate temporary business residence
A Business Visitor Permit is for persons normally employed and paid offshore who are visiting Samoa for a short visit, to visit a branch of their company, to conduct business negotiations with a Samoan company or to attend a business conference. For other business activity in Samoa, a Temporary Resident Permit is required.
- MPMC Permit Services, visitor arrival, documents, business subcategory
By legislation, we service four types of entry permits: Visitor, Temporary Resident, Permanent Resident, and Ministerial. Visitors Visitors to Samoa can apply for a 90-day Visitor Permit on arrival using the arrival card. Travelers must have: a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay confirmed onward tickets (Return Ticket) visas for the next country of destination sufficient funds to support themselves (while in Samoa) confirmed residential contact address Work is not permitted on a Visitor Permit. Visitors who are in Samoa and wish to apply for a further period of stay as a visitor should use the temporary residence form. A Business Visitor Permit is for persons normally employed and paid offshore who are visiting Samoa for a short visit, to visit a branch of their company, to conduct business negotiations with a Samoan company or to attend a business conference. For other business activity in Samoa, a Temporary Resident Permit is required.
- MPMC Border Services, free 90-day arrival permission subject to all entry conditions
Foreign nationals who do not hold a valid Temporary Resident Permit or Samoan Citizenship will be issued with a free 90 days Visitors Permit upon arrival. But grant of a Visitors permit is subject to our entry requirements, i.e the passenger must: Have a return or onward ticket Possess a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months after the intended date of departure from Samoa. Have a valid visa or permit for entry into the country to which they will travel from Samoa. State their accommodation arrangements, be it holiday accommodation such as a hotel or resort, or with family or friends (specifically the village and family name) Have documented evidence of sufficient funds for self-support (typically a copy of a bank statement) Have no record or deportation from other countries Have no health problems that would pose a risk to Samoa Have no history of criminal charges resulting in a minimum of one year of sentencing; and Not be on any alert or warning lists
- Samoa Immigration Act 2004 section 12, full operative visitor/business-purpose rule
12. Visitor permit – (1) For the purposes of this Act and subject to this Act, a visitor permit is a permit to enter Samoa once or more often (as determined by the Minister) during the currency of the permit and to remain in Samoa for a period up to a maximum of 90 days as determined by the Minister. (2) A visitor permit is granted only to a person entering Samoa: (a) as a tourist; or (b) for religious or cultural purposes; or (c) for family re-union or family support purposes; or (d) for business purposes; or (e) for the purpose of accompanying a person entering Samoa under this subsection. (3) Save where a person has been granted an entry permit to undertake employment in Samoa under the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, a person granted a visitor permit shall not undertake employment in Samoa during the period in which the person is in Samoa. (4) A visitor permit shall only be granted to a person who is able to establish to the satisfaction of the Minister that the person: 12 Immigration Act 2004 (a) is of good health and character; and (b) has met or will meet, as the case may require, any eligibility criteria determined by the Minister by notice.