American Samoa Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit American Samoa?

You'll need to understand which entry permit applies to your situation. There are three main types of visitor permits, each designed for different traveller circumstances.

Samoa 10-Day Permit

• Available exclusively for natural-born citizens of Samoa
• Other nationalities holding Samoan passports are not eligible for this permit type
• Valid for stays up to 10 days
• Online Application Here.

US Visa 30-Day Permit

• Perfect for travellers from Visa Waiver Programme countries (see table below)
• Also available to US visa holders and Green Card holders
• Accepts any country passport (provided you meet the above criteria)
• Allows stays up to 30 days
• Online Application Here.

Other 30-Day (or 60-Day) Permit

• Required for all countries not included in the Visa Waiver Programme
• Also necessary for travellers from Visa Waiver countries who wish to stay up to 60 days (instead of 30)
• Must be obtained through a local sponsor walk-in process only
• Valid for stays up to 30 days (or 60 days for an additional fee).

Transit Permit

If you're arriving on a cruise ship for less than 24 hours, you're in luck! You won't need an entry permit or visa at all.

• Automatically issued to passengers and crew upon arrival
• Valid for cruise ship visits under 24 hours
• No advance application required.

American Samoa Visa Requirements

In order to be granted a visitor visa for American Samoa, you need:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay
• A confirmed return travel ticket, showing travel within the timeframe of your allocated permit
• Confirmed accommodation booking or proof of local home you're staying in
• Local contact phone number
• Credit/debit card payment of the application fee (Visa, MasterCard and American Express).

For more information about having proof of your outbound or return ticket, as well as proof of accommodation, see What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Samoa?

What Do US Citizens Need to Enter American Samoa?

U.S. citizens who do not reside in American Samoa need the following:

• A valid U.S. passport, travel document or a certified birth certificate with ID
• A confirmed return travel ticket, showing travel within 30 days
• Proof of employment or official assignment in American Samoa

For military personnel and their dependents, you require:

• A valid military ID card
• Official military orders or leave authorisation.

What are American Samoa's Visa-Free Countries?

There are 44 countries on the Visa Waiver list for American Samoa.

Do You Need a Vaccine to Visit American Samoa?

There are no current vaccination mandates to enter American Samoa. We list all the recommended and/or mandatory vaccines for a visit to American Samoa in our article, Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to American Samoa?

​The online application process is refreshingly straightforward. Head to the Department of Legal Affairs Travel & Entry Page and navigate to their Visa Permit page.

You'll need to select the appropriate permit from the three available options. If you're arriving on a cruise ship, there's no need to apply online as you'll receive your permit automatically upon arrival at no cost.

Before starting your application, gather these essential documents:

• Your passport
• Return travel ticket information (your plane e-ticket will do)
• Accommodation booking confirmation
• A local contact name and phone number. Don't have a local contact? Simply ask your accommodation host – they're usually happy to help.
• A credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) to pay the application fee.

How Long Does the American Samoa Visitor Permit Take to Process?

Whilst the visa officially takes three working days to process, we've found that it often arrives much faster. In our experience, we received ours within 24 hours, which was a pleasant surprise.

Arriving in American Samoa with Your Entry Permit

Once approved, you'll receive your visa by email. Make sure you have this email readily available on your phone or printed out to show immigration officers when you arrive in American Samoa.

​If you don't have a US visa, visa-waiver or green card, you'll need a qualified local sponsor to apply for you in person at the Immigration Office. Yep.

Your sponsor must be at least 21 years old and either a US citizen or national.

Here's what you'll need to gather for the application (both you and your sponsor will need documents):

What Your Sponsor Needs

Your sponsor will need to bring:

• A completed and signed application
• Valid identification (passport or official document)
• Verification of landowner's consent to host you
• If they live on communal land: signatures from the family matai (chief) and pulenu'u (village mayor)
• If they live on individually owned land or rent: proof of ownership (deed or lease)
• US$40 non-refundable fee

What You Need

You'll need to provide:

• Valid identification (passport or official document that's valid for at least six months after your departure)
• Round-trip ticket showing travel within 30 days
• Police clearance from your home country
• If you're a minor travelling without a parent: notarised parent or guardian consent to travel (birth certificate included)

The process might seem a bit involved, but having all your documents ready beforehand will make things much smoother at the Immigration Office.

What does the American Samoa tourist visa allow you to do in American Samoa (i.e. the Entry Permit)? Here's a quick rundown of the conditions of your American Samoa tourist visa.

The American Samoa tourist visa allows you a stay of up to 10 or 30 days in American Samoa, depending on your nationality.

What You Can Do with Your Tourist Visa

Your American Samoa tourist visa opens up plenty of opportunities for both business and leisure activities. Here's what you're allowed to do during your stay:

Business Activities

You'll be able to meet with business associates and attend professional conferences or conventions. Short-term training sessions are also permitted (though you can't receive payment from American Samoan sources, except for basic expenses). Contract negotiations are perfectly fine too.

Tourism and Personal Activities

Of course, the main reason most people visit is for tourism and holidays. You're welcome to visit friends or family, receive medical treatment if needed, and join social events organised by local groups.

You can also participate in amateur sports or musical events (as long as you're not getting paid), take short recreational courses like cooking classes, and engage in cultural or religious exchanges.

What Your Tourist Visa Doesn't Cover

There are some important limitations to keep in mind. Your tourist visa doesn't allow you to work legally in American Samoa, study in American Samoa, or work as foreign media (including journalists, radio or film professionals).

You also can't apply for residency or extend your stay beyond the permitted period, except in genuine emergency situations.

All in all, it's best to plan your trip duration carefully from the start.

Visitor Visas (Entry Permits) for American Samoa have an application fee that must be paid before the permit is granted.

The cost of the Entry Permit depends on the permit:

• Samoa 10-Day Permit - US$10
• US and Visa-Waiver Countries 30-Day Permit - US$40
• Other 30-Day Permit - US$40
• 30-Day Extension (obtained with Other 30-Day Permit only) - US$50
• Transit Permit - Free

Note that the fees are soon due to increase by US$10 each.