New Am Samoa entry waiver now in effect for more than 40 countries

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Attorney General adopted, effective yesterday, new Immigration Rules set under a new chapter of the American Samoa Administrative Code (ASAC) — the ASG regulations — regarding the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP) covering more than 40 countries.

The Department of Legal Affairs, which includes the Attorney General’s Office, announced in a public notice posted on the department’s website of the EPWP being adopted under Immigration Rules and effective Oct. 19, 2023 American Samoa Time.

“The EPWP allows citizens of select countries to travel to American Samoa without obtaining an Entry Permit for stays up to 30 days or less for tourism and business purposes,” according to the new rule.

Under the new rules for EPWP, there are more than 40 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau — all countries in the Pacific region. It should be noted that Fiji is not included in the list.

To be eligible for entry under the EPWP, a traveler must provide, among the documents, a non-expired machine readable passport that must be valid for at least 6 months after planned departure from American Samoa; and a confirmed round-trip ticket to point of origin or onward passage.

Another eligibility is to provide a, “Written confirmation that traveler will be staying at a hotel or has lodging secured with a host while visiting American Samoa and that traveler or host will be responsible for all public debts of the traveler including but not limited to LBJ hospital medical expenses. The host must be at least 21-years old and is the owner of the home or lessee of an apartment in which traveler is staying in American Samoa.”

Furthermore, the traveler has not violated the laws of American Samoa, the country of origin or other jurisdictions, which are cause for exclusion or deportation.

And a payment of US $40 processing fee is also required.

The required documents and payment must be provided to the Office of the Attorney General or the Immigration Office at least three business days before travel. Payment may be made at the Immigration Office or the online link: https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov.

According to the new rule, if the requirements are satisfied, the Office of the Attorney General will issue an ‘OK to Board’ document allowing entry into American Samoa without an entry permit. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler must present a copy of the OK to Board document to the Immigration officer.

The new rule made clear that, “Eligibility under the EPWP does not guarantee approval of an EPWP application or entry into American Samoa.

“Immigration officers may refuse entry at the port of entry based on American Samoa laws.

“A traveler who poses a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of American Samoa will be denied entry and placed back on the arriving vessel to be returned to the point of origin.

“No person who purchased his/ her citizenship by investment is qualified under the EPWP,” according to the new rule, which also states that, “travelers entering American Samoa to board fishing vessels or other commercial vessels are NOT eligible for the EPWP.”

The rule also summarized “Permitted Activities” under the EPWP for travelers to the territory for business and/or tourism. There’s also example of “prohibited activities” — such as employment — as well as penalties for violating the rules.

A provision of the new rules includes a section on the Entry Permit Waiver Program (PW7) — which is the “7 Days Entry Permit Waiver Program for Samoa citizens” entering the territory, and become effective on Oct. 19, 2023, American Samoa time.

Samoa News notes that the EPWP is an ASG policy set up during the Lolo Administration, a few years ago. Samoa News archive stories show the EPWP — along with other local entry regulations — was implemented in September 2017 by then-Attorney General Talauega E. V. Ale, following a directive from then-Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga in August that year.

Department of Legal Affairs website (www.legalaffairs.as.gov) provides a online link to the new EPWP with the list of countries covered under this new rule, as well as the PW7 for Samoa citizens. (See Samoa News edition on Oct. 18 for the PW7 details.)