American Samoa (United States territory) · short term business

Non-U.S. 30-Day Sponsored Visitor Permit

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 4 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

American Samoa visitor-permit route for non-U.S. travellers who need local sponsorship for a short visit.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 30 days as granted under the sponsored visitor-permit process.
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

In short

As of 17 August 2026, the Non-U.S. 30-Day Sponsored Visitor Permit for American Samoa (United States territory) is a sponsor-led American Samoa immigration route. Sources: official American Samoa (United States territory) government pages, reviewed 17 August 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/american-samoa/non-us-30-day-sponsored-visitor-permit#answer

What is the Non-U.S. 30-Day Sponsored Visitor Permit in American Samoa (United States territory)?

Non-U.S. 30-Day Sponsored Visitor Permit is a sponsor-led American Samoa route. Indicative government fees are Confirm current sponsored visitor-permit fees and payment instructions with the official process; indicative processing time is Confirm current sponsor requirements, form, filing office, fees and arrival instructions with the Department of Legal Affairs or Immigration Office before travel; typical duration is Up to 30 days as granted under the sponsored visitor-permit 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 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

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the correct sponsored visitor category with Department of Legal Affairs guidance.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Coordinate sponsor and traveller evidence.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit or carry the required permit material as instructed by the official process.

  4. After approval

    Leave or obtain another status before visitor permission expires.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Non-U.S. 30-Day Sponsored Visitor Permit, 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. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  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 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 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

  2. Official guidanceApplicant
    Check 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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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 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