Independent State of Samoa visas
Samoa Visa Atlas coverage is source-backed from Samoa Immigration pages under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The source packet covers visitor entry, business visitors, visitor extensions, temporary residence for employment, business and investment, study, family support or reunion, research, cultural and religious purposes, permanent residence, citizenship routes, official forms and fee tables. Applicants should use Samoa Immigration guidance and forms, then confirm the current filing place, fee and supporting evidence before travelling, working, studying, investing or relying on long-stay status.
10 routes · 6 without a sponsor · 2 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Samoa Immigration ↗ · Samoa Immigration, Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Samoa Immigration (Immigration) — Official immigration division for Samoa border services, permits, forms, fees and citizenship services.
- Samoa Immigration Permit Services (Permits) — Official permit-services page covering visitor, temporary resident, permanent resident and ministerial entry permits.
- Samoa Immigration Forms (Forms) — Official Samoa Immigration forms page for temporary residence, permanent residence, sponsorship, medical, radiology and permit-extension forms.
Visa routes (10)
Visitor Permit on Arrival
Samoa 90-day visitor permit on arrival for eligible short-stay visitors who meet border-entry conditions.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Business Visitor Permit
Samoa short business visitor route for offshore-employed visitors attending short business activity.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Visitor Permit Extension
Samoa visitor extension process for visitors already in Samoa seeking a further visitor stay.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Temporary Residence for Employment
Samoa temporary resident permit for employment, with employer sponsorship and MCIL recommendation handling.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Business or Investment
Samoa temporary resident permit for conducting business or investing in Samoa.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Study
Samoa temporary resident permit for study, including school evidence and funds support.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Family Support or Reunion
Samoa temporary resident permit for family reunion or family support purposes.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Research, Cultural or Religious Purposes
Samoa temporary resident permit for academic research, scientific research, cultural activity or religious purposes.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 June 2026
Permanent Residence Permit
Samoa permanent residence permit route, using Samoa Immigration permanent-residence form and fee-table authority.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Citizenship by Descent, Permanent Residence or Marriage
Samoa citizenship routes by descent, permanent residence or marriage under the official Citizenship Services page.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Independent State of Samoa have?+
We cover 10 Independent State of Samoa visa routes in these categories: visitor and short business, sponsored work, investor, study, family, general residence, and citizenship by descent. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Independent State of Samoa visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
6 of the 10 Independent State of Samoa routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 4 are employer-sponsored.
Which Independent State of Samoa visas lead to permanent residence?+
2 of the 10 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
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 Samoa