Samoa
Country Specific Information
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June 17, 2011

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Samoa consists of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai’i and seven small islets located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. The main island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population and its capital city of Apia. The country has a stable parliamentary democracy with a developing economy. The Samoa Tourism Authority provides a wide range of information for your travels. Please read the Department of State’s  Background Notes on Samoa for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Samoa, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, we can keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. If you have no access to the Internet, you may enroll directly with the U.S. Embassy in Apia. 

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

The U.S. Embassy in Apia
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC formerly and more well known as ACB) Building,
Fifth Floor, Apia. 
P.O. Box 3430, Apia, Samoa 0815
Telephone: (685) 21436/21631/22696 and 21452 
Emergency after-hours telephone: (685) 777-1776
Facsimile: (685) 22030  

The Embassy is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday – Friday except Thursdays, when it is open only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: You do not need a visitor permit if you stay in Samoa for 60 days or less. If you are a non-citizen U.S. national of American Samoa and you live in American Samoa, you will need a visitor permit before you travel to Samoa. You cannot use a certificate of identity to travel to Samoa, except for certain cases. A U.S. passport will show if you have U.S. citizen or non-citizen national status. You can apply for a visitors permit at the new Samoa Consulate General office in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The Samoa Consulate General address is P.O. Box 1313, Pago Pago, American Samoa. The telephone number is (684) 633-5919, and the facsimile number is (684) 633-5929. Everyone needs a valid passport and an onward/return ticket to travel to Samoa, whether as a U.S. citizen or as a non-citizen national. You will need to pay a departure tax of 40 Tala (approximately $17.50 USD) when you leave the country. You can find more information about entry requirements and the departure tax from the Samoa Mission to the United Nations at 800-2nd Avenue, Suite 400J, New York, NY 10017, telephone: (212) 599-6196 and facsimile: (212) 599-0797, or by email. Visit the Samoa Immigration website for the most current visa information. 

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY:

Stay up to date:

  • Bookmark our Bureau of Consular Affairs website
  • Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
  • Download our free Smart Traveler IPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
  • You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or call a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. 
  • Take some time before travel to consider your personal security – Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad

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CRIME: Although Samoa has a low level of crime, you should still remain aware of your surroundings, lock your doors at night, and do not leave your belongings unattended. Incidents of petty theft and robberies are common. Some incidents have involved residential break-ins. While rare, violent assaults, including sexual assaults, have occurred in Samoa. No specific groups have been targeted, and there have been no reported racially motivated or hate crimes against U.S. citizens. Police in Apia generally respond quickly to incidents. However, since there is a very limited police presence elsewhere in Samoa (where order is maintained primarily by local village authorities), police response outside of Apia is not as quick or reliable. 

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local laws.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • For violent crimes such as assault or rape, help you find appropriate medical care,
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities and your family members or friends.
  • Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Samoa is “994” for fire emergencies, “995” for police assistance, and “996” for ambulance/medical assistance.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws, legal systems, and criminal penalties can be vastly different from our own. There are some things that might be considered legal in the country you visit, but are illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods or engage in child pornography. While you are overseas, U.S. laws don’t apply. If you engage in illegal activity in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Samoa, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. Embassy of your arrest and to have communications from you forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Behavior Modification Facilities: Some overseas treatment centers known as Behavior Modification Facilities operate in Samoa. Though these facilities may be operated and staffed by U.S. citizens, the Samoan government is solely responsible for their compliance with local safety, health, sanitation, and educational laws and regulations, including all licensing requirements of the staff in country. These standards, if any, may not be strictly enforced or meet the standards of similar facilities in the United States. As a parent, you should be aware that U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals 16 years of age and older have a right to apply for a U.S. passport and to request repatriation assistance from the U.S. government, both without parental consent. Any U.S. citizen or U.S. national has the right to contact a representative from the U.S. embassy. Parents may also contact the U.S. Embassy in Apia or the Office of American Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, at 1 888 407 4747 (toll free) or 1 202 501 4444 (overseas).

Stray Dogs: In Apia and in many villages, stray dogs wander the streets. You should not approach or feed them; they can become aggressive in the presence of food or if they feel threatened. There have been several cases of multiple dog attacks reported recently. Please exercise appropriate caution when you are walking, running, or riding a bike near stray dogs.

Ferry Service: Although there have been no major accidents involving the ferry service linking Upolu and Savai’i, vessels are sometimes overloaded. One of the ferries, a multi-deck automobile ferry, sometimes transports passengers on its automobile deck. If you choose to use this ferry, you should not remain on the automobile deck during the crossing. You should only ride in the passenger compartment in order to avoid injury from shifting vehicles.

Blowholes: Samoa has numerous “blowholes” (lava tubes open to the sea where wave action produces often spectacular geysers). These blowholes are popular tourist attractions. The footing around the mouths of most blowholes is very slippery. To avoid being swept in, you should not approach too closely and should never stand between the opening of the blowhole and the sea.

Water Sports:Snorkeling and diving in ocean lagoons are popular activities for many visitors to Samoa. Tide changes can produce powerful currents in these lagoons. You should consult local residents and tour operators about hazards and conditions at a particular location before you venture into the water. There are virtually no lifeguards in Samoa. You are responsible for your own safety. Carefully investigate the qualifications of guides and tour operators, especially regarding water sports.

Financial Transactions: Although some businesses in Apia and those frequented by tourists do accept credit cards, many do not, including gas stations. Major hotels and some restaurants and stores accept major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, and American Express). You can get Samoan currency from ATMs, which are located in Faleolo Airport, Salelologa, and in many locations in Apia. For more information on ATM locations and banking services, visit the ANZ Bank website or the WESTPAC website.

Disaster Preparedness: Samoa is located in an area of high seismic activity. Upolu and Savaii are volcanic islands with many dormant volcanoes. One of Savaii’s dormant volcanoes erupts about once every 150 years. The most recent eruption was 1908. On September 30, 2009, an 8.0 earthquake in the South Pacific Ocean triggered tsunami waves that hit the islands of Samoa causing extensive damage to life and property, primarily on low-lying coastal areas of the south and east coasts. Major cyclones have occurred in the past and are always a concern. The cyclone season is from November to April, when strong winds, heavy rains, landslides, and disruptions to services could occur. During this period, Samoa receives most of its annual average of over 115 inches of rain. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the  U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or in Samoa from Disaster Management, the Samoa Tourism Authority, or major resort and hotel operators.

Customs: Samoan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations about importing or exporting items such as firearms, fruits, pets and other animals, and drugs. You should contact the Samoan Mission to the United Nations at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400J, New York, NY 10017, telephone: (212) 599-6196 for specific information regarding customs requirements. You can also consult the  Samoa Ministry of Revenue and Customs website  and the  Samoa Quarantine website.

Accessibility: While in Samoa, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. There is no law pertaining specifically to the status of persons with disabilities, although the 'Samoa National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2009-2012’ emphasizes the Government’s commitment to the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities. This policy also recognizes the family as the main source of support for people with disabilities and that families should be informed about disabilities and their involvement in advocacy support. The Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development is the government ministry responsible for public outreach and social development for persons with disabilities. Mandated services for travelers are not readily available for individuals with disabilities.

Most buses and taxis do not have ramps to accommodate wheelchairs. Many of the new multi-story buildings provide accessibility through ramps and elevators, although some older public buildings have limited access to persons with disabilities. Footpaths in town provide standard access, but in rural areas, the lack of footpaths can be a hazard and overlap with road traffic. Persons with disabilities have easy access to medical facilities. Most major hotels, restaurants, and cafes are actively restructuring their facilities to accommodate people with disabilities. Some family-based beach accommodations in the outer villages are also working to provide accessibility for disabled persons.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health care facilities in Samoa are adequate for routine medical treatment but are limited in range and availability. Complex illnesses and life-threatening emergencies, as well as related laboratory work, generally need to be treated elsewhere. Serious medical conditions and treatments that require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. You should have emergency evacuation insurance before you travel abroad. 

The national hospital and a small private hospital are located in Apia, and there are several small district hospitals on Savai'i and in outlying areas of Upolu. Dental facilities do not meet U.S. standards, but good dental treatment and some emergency medical care is available nearby at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Pharmacies may not carry prescription or over the counter medicines, or they may be of a different quality than those available in the U.S. 

There are no hyperbaric chambers on any of the islands for the treatment of scuba diving related injuries. Serious cases of decompression sickness are evacuated to the nearest treatment center in Suva, Fiji, or Auckland, New Zealand. 

You can find good informationon vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. This information for Samoa is provided as a general reference, and it may not be the case in all locations or circumstances.

The safety of public transportation and rural road conditions in Samoa are fair, while urban road conditions and maintenance are good. Taxis are widely available and used by Samoans and visitors alike. However, some are unlicensed, so you should use care in choosing a taxi and driver. Buses are slow, generally crowded, uncomfortable, may operate on an undependable schedule, and are rarely used by visitors. You can also use rental cars, but be aware that limited roadside assistance is available. Most major roads are tar-sealed, but secondary roads are predominantly dirt and gravel and may be rough and/or overgrown with vegetation. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for travel on these roads. You should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and traffic violations occur routinely. 

Roads outside Apia are often narrow, winding, relatively steep, with narrow or no shoulders, and poorly lighted. Pedestrians as well as vehicles and livestock regularly travel these roads. Due to poor and deteriorating road conditions, night driving on unlit rural roads can be dangerous and should be avoided if possible. Roads in Samoa often traverse small streams. You should definitely exercise extreme caution when fording these streams, which can become swollen and dangerous with little warning. Vehicles should never enter a stream if the roadbed is not visible or if the water’s depth is more than the vehicle’s clearance.  

In September 2009, Samoa switched from driving on the right side of the road (as in the United States) to driving on the left side (as in the United Kingdom). The majority of vehicles in Samoa remain left-hand drive, including rental vehicles and public transportation. The ratio of right- to left-hand drive vehicles will change over time as more right-hand drive vehicles are imported and left-hand drive vehicles are taken off the road. In the meantime, to improve road safety, the Samoan Government has lowered speed limits to 15 mph in urban areas and 25 mph in rural areas. 

The Samoan Government also mandated bus operators have passenger access doors on the left side of the bus to allow passengers to enter and exit away from moving traffic. This caused an absence of buses at first, but gradually, as buses make the modifications, public transportation and schedules are returning to normal.  You should exercise particular caution when riding older wooden buses, since recent modifications may have reduced their safety.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the Samoa's National Tourist Office website.  

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Samoa’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Samoa’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA's safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Samoa dated October 8, 2010, to update the sections on criminal penalties and special circumstances.

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