Arrival in Samoa

At the border, the usual sequence is an Arrival or Declaration Card, immigration checks, the Visitor Permit, customs and inspection by the Samoa Quarantine Service or Biosecurity. Airlines or shipping agents and Immigration provide the cards. A standard foreign visitor may be asked for a ticket, proof of onward travel, permission to enter the next country, a bank statement or other evidence of funds, and a confirmed accommodation or contact address. A family or friend address should include the village and family name. The Visitor Permit does not authorize paid work. People travelling for employment, business or investment, study, academic research, cultural or religious activities, or family support or reunion normally need a Temporary Resident Permit arranged before travel. A visitor who needs more than 90 days can apply in Samoa through MPMC using form MPMC100 and should provide a further travel ticket, financial evidence and accommodation details. The visitor-entry-permit application fee is listed as SAT200, with processing described as approximately 10 working days; Temporary Resident Permit fees depend on the purpose and are broadly SAT200 to SAT1,800 plus possible dependent fees. Check the current fee table before applying. Samoa's Ministry of Health travel advisory effective 3 November 2025 strongly recommends at least one measles vaccination dose for travellers aged 12 months or more, ideally at least two weeks and no later than 14 days before arrival. Children under 12 months and pregnant travellers are exempt from that recommendation. Keep a vaccination certificate available; a QR-verifiable electronic certificate is accepted. Anyone with measles symptoms should postpone travel, and a symptomatic arrival may be examined or isolated under public-health rules. Declare all food, plants or plant parts, animal products and gifts made from plant or animal material on the Arrival Card. Plant products generally require declaration and may need an import permit; items containing soil should be soil-free, honey cannot be imported, and commercially packaged food is preferable. Use the amnesty bins when necessary. The Samoa Quarantine Service operates at entry points around the clock. A missing or false declaration can lead to return, detention or destruction of goods, fees, a fine or prosecution. For customs, keep your passport, Arrival Declaration Card, ticket or itinerary, boarding pass and receipts available. Travellers aged 21 or more may generally bring up to 2.25 litres of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, and other dutiable goods up to SAT500 without the relevant duty allowance being exceeded. Declare cash or foreign currency from SAT20,000. Illicit drugs, pornography and counterfeit or copyright-infringing goods are prohibited; weapons, ammunition, fireworks and CITES goods are restricted and may require permits. Faleolo Airport connects with Apia by taxi and bus. Taxi fares are not metered, so agree the price before departure; a typical airport-to-Apia fare is about SAT60–70. Buses may have no fixed stops or fixed schedules, usually require cash and small change, and commonly use the Fugalei and Savalalo terminals in Apia; a short trip is often up to SAT12. Carry tala cash because Samoa uses cash extensively. ATMs are concentrated in urban areas and at Faleolo, Apia and Salelologa, while banks and exchange services are available at the airport, in Apia and in Salelologa. Shops and authorities commonly operate around 9:00–17:00, with shorter Saturday hours. Samoa drives on the left. The speed limit is 40 km/h in towns and villages and 56 km/h on open roads. Visitors renting a car or motorcycle need a Samoan Temporary Driver’s Licence from the Land Transport Authority, an authorized rental company or Samoa Tourism Authority Fale. The monthly fee is SAT21, a full home-country licence is required, and an international licence may be used after LTA endorsement for up to 90 days. Airport rental-car exit fees are SAT5 in cash. Main roads are generally paved, but potholes and animals require care. Samoa has no general municipal registration system directly equivalent to a universal local registration procedure. The functional record is the immigration arrival record together with the residential contact address supplied for entry, and, where relevant, a purpose-specific Temporary Resident Permit. People staying beyond 90 days should contact MPMC or Immigration early and keep their permit status, address, funds and departure plan documented. The Samoa Tourism Authority Fale provides first local information. For police, fire or ambulance emergencies call 911; NEOC can be reached at 997 or 911. Anyone with possible measles symptoms should isolate, avoid leaving the accommodation and contact the Ministry of Health.