American Samoa (United States territory) · short term business
Non-U.S. 30-Day Sponsored Visitor Permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
American Samoa visitor-permit route for non-U.S. travellers who need local sponsorship for a short visit.
- Processing time
- Confirm current sponsor requirements, form, filing office, fees and arrival instructions with the Department of Legal Affairs or Immigration Office before travel.
- Government fees
- Confirm current sponsored visitor-permit fees and payment instructions with the official process.
- Typical duration
- Up to 30 days as granted under the sponsored visitor-permit process.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Department of Legal Affairs visitor-permit page separates non-U.S. visitor handling and identifies sponsored visitor-permit treatment for short stays. This route is for temporary visits only; if the person will work, invest, reside with family or stay longer, the visitor permit should not be used as a substitute for the correct status.
Additional sources
Primary source
A.S.C.A. 41.0502 - Entry requirements ↗ · American Samoa Bar Association
Link last verified:
Primary source
American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs - Residency Classification ↗ · American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The traveller needs a sponsored American Samoa visitor permit for a short stay.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- ✓A local sponsor or contact can provide the evidence requested by the current official process.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- ✓The intended activity remains visiting or short business activity rather than work, residence, study or investment operations.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
Common blockers
- !The local sponsor evidence is missing or does not meet current Immigration Office requirements.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- !The applicant intends to work or reside in American Samoa.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- !The traveller assumes a United States visa, ESTA, mainland U.S. immigration status or state-side admission automatically authorises American Samoa entry or residence without checking American Samoa rules.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- !The person works, resides, invests, changes purpose or sponsors a case before the Immigration Office, Immigration Board or statute-supported process has approved the correct status.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- !The applicant uses a visitor permit for employment, long-term residence, investment operations or family sponsorship.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport or other accepted travel document.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- ·Travel dates, return or onward ticket, accommodation and local contact evidence where required.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- ·Sponsor, employer, family, investment or purpose-specific evidence requested by the Immigration Office or official petition process.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- ·Current fee and filing evidence required by the Department of Legal Affairs or Immigration Office.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
- ·Sponsor identity, address, relationship, support or invitation evidence requested by the Immigration Office.American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the correct sponsored visitor category with Department of Legal Affairs guidance.
Build the evidence pack
Coordinate sponsor and traveller evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Submit or carry the required permit material as instructed by the official process.
After approval
Leave or obtain another status before visitor permission expires.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
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.
- Official guidanceApplicantRead sponsored visitor permit 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
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck statutory entry requirements ↗
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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Related routes
Employment-Based Residency Petition
American Samoa employment-based residency route for foreign nationals whose right to live and work depends on an approved local petition.
Family-Based Residency Petition
American Samoa family or sponsor-based residency petition route for spouses, dependants and other eligible family cases.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs the sponsored visitor route?+
Use this route when the traveller is outside the U.S. citizen/national, Samoa 10-day, or U.S. Visa Waiver visitor treatments and needs local sponsorship for a short visit.
Can sponsorship turn a visitor permit into residence?+
No. Residence petitions and permanent residence are separate American Samoa immigration processes.
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