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American Samoa (United States territory) · family

Family-Based Residency Petition

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 6 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

American Samoa family or sponsor-based residency petition route for spouses, dependants and other eligible family cases.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyResidency status as granted under the current petition or registration process.
Processing time
Confirm current P-12 or family petition forms, sponsor evidence, board timing, fees, card handling and renewal requirements with the Immigration Office.
Government fees
Confirm current family petition, registration-card and renewal fees before filing.
Typical duration
Residency status as granted under the current petition or registration process.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗

In short

As of 30 June 2026, the Family-Based Residency Petition for American Samoa (United States territory) is a sponsor-led American Samoa immigration route. Sources: official American Samoa (United States territory) government pages, reviewed 30 June 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/american-samoa/family-based-residency-petition#answer

What is the Family-Based Residency Petition in American Samoa (United States territory)?

Family-Based Residency Petition is a sponsor-led American Samoa route. Indicative government fees are Confirm current family petition, registration-card and renewal fees before filing; indicative processing time is Confirm current P-12 or family petition forms, sponsor evidence, board timing, fees, card handling and renewal requirements with the Immigration Office; typical duration is Residency status as granted under the current petition or registration process. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs on 30 June 2026.

Overview

The Department of Legal Affairs residency classification page identifies family-based petition handling alongside employment and other classifications. Family cases should use the current Immigration Office petition process rather than a visitor permit, and sponsors should confirm relationship, support and status evidence before filing.

Additional sources

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the current family-based petition route with Department of Legal Affairs guidance.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather sponsor and relationship evidence.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    File through the Immigration Office or board process and pay current fees.

  4. After approval

    Track status, card and renewal conditions after approval.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Family-Based Residency Petition, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Family-Based Residency Petition instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to American Samoa

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Read family residency classification guidance ↗

    Use this official American Samoa source to confirm current entry, sponsorship, petition, permit, fee, status, employment and filing requirements before travelling, applying, working, investing or relying on residence status.

    American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs · verified

  2. Official guidanceApplicant
    Open Title 41 immigration code ↗

    Use this official American Samoa source to confirm current entry, sponsorship, petition, permit, fee, status, employment and filing requirements before travelling, applying, working, investing or relying on residence status.

    American Samoa Bar Association · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can a visitor simply stay with family long term?+

No. Family residence should be handled through the American Samoa residency petition process before visitor status expires.

Is sponsor evidence important?+

Yes. Family cases typically turn on relationship and sponsor support evidence requested by the Immigration Office.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in American Samoa

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs

Last checked: 30 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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