Samoan citizens enter American Samoa under 10 days entry permit waiver

Apia, Samoa – 20 August 2024 – Samoan citizens traveling to American Samoa have been extended an entry permit waiver from 7 to 10 days.

Tala Nei reports that the change went into effect Monday, 12 August and was adopted through an administrative rule amendment that was published in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.

The Samoa Government has provided the same 10 days extension for U.S. Nationals to stay in Samoa under Samoa’s entry permit waiver/OK Board program.

American Samoa’s Attorney General, Fainuulelei Ala’ilima Utu told Tala Nei the increase in days of stay from seven days to ten days, was motivated by the travel data between the two Samoas.

“During the first six months since October 2023, the entry permit waiver program benefited many more U.S. nationals than Samoa citizens,” he said.

An average of 195 U.S. nationals travelled to Samoa monthly compared to an average of 145 citizens of Samoa traveling to American Samoa.

In addition, the number of overstayers under the Entry Permit Waiver program was relatively small, according to the AG.

“One of the main accomplishments of the Atoa o Samoa meetings is the easing of travel restrictions between the people of the two Samoas,” Alalilima Utu said.

“The people of the two Samoas have very close family, cultural, language, religious, and historical ties and travel between the two Samoas is important to our people,” he said.