New Entry Waiver program for Samoa citizens in effect tomorrow

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Entry Permit Waiver Program (PW7) — which is the “7 Days Entry Permit Waiver Program for Samoa citizens” entering the territory, will become effective Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, American Samoa time, according to a notice that was posted as of yesterday morning on the Department of Legal Affairs website.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the Department of Legal Affairs, which includes the Attorney General’s Office, had announced in early September this year, a proposed rule, which states that, a “program will be established by October 2023 for Samoa citizens to travel to American Samoa for up to seven days without obtaining an Entry Permit because of American Samoa’s close familial, cultural, linguistic and historical ties with Samoa, and in order for Samoa to reciprocate and waive Entry Permits or Visas for non-citizen U.S. Nationals traveling to Samoa.”

The rule also says that a Samoa citizen who does not have a passport may travel to American Samoa on a valid document of identity.

There will be a monthly maximum of 400 Samoa citizens who will be allowed entry to American Samoa under the Entry Permit Waiver Program. (See Samoa News edition Sept. 8 for details, which includes creating new rules regarding the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP) for more than 30 countries).

The Department of Legal Affairs in the notice, posted as of yesterday morning on its website, announced the Oct. 19 effective date of the new PW7 program for citizens of Samoa entering American Samoa.

Requirements for the PW7 are as follows: 

•  Valid passport or document of identity 

•  Confirmed roundtrip ticket

•  Confirmed hotel booking or host who is owner of a home or lessee of an apartment

•  Traveler not excludable under the law

 •  Pay a $10 USD non-refundable fee 

•  Traveler must apply 3 business days prior to travel date

•  400 approvals per month

Legal Affairs stressed that travelers entering American Samoa to board fishing vessels or other commercial vessels are not eligible for the PW7.

According to the notice, travelers to American Samoa under the PW7, must have a valid passport or document of identity good for at least 6 months after planned departure from American Samoa

Passports must be issued by the proper passport authority and must meet international standards for storing and securing information corresponding to the passport and bearer.

Two questions and the answers are part of the notice:

•  What happens when I get approved for entry under the PW7? Answer: You will be provided with an authorization to enter American Samoa by way of an OK Board that you will be required to present to an immigration officer upon arrival.

•  What if I have not applied for an Entry Permit Waiver before I arrive in American Samoa? Answer: You may be turned away at any of the Ports of Entry if you do not apply for and receive approval (by way of an OK Board) from the Attorney General's Office. 

For Permit Waiver inquiries, email ([email protected])

The online page for the PW7 (https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/copy-of-entry-permit-waiver-program-1). This link also has the application info to apply online for this program.