Samoa

🇼🇸

Phone Code

+685

Capital

Apia

Population

220,000

Native Name

Samoa

Region

Oceania

Polynesia

Timezone

West Samoa Time

UTC+14:00

On This Page

Money & CurrencyVisa OverviewVisa TypesImportant NotesTravel GuideEmbassies abroadEmbassies in country

Samoa (not to be confused with nearby American Samoa, a U.S. territory) is an independent Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,600 km northeast of New Zealand. The country consists of two main islands - Upolu (where capital Apia is located, population 145,000) and Savai'i (larger but less populated, 43,000) - plus eight smaller islets. Total population is approximately 200,000, with significant diaspora communities in New Zealand, Australia, and United States. Samoa covers 2,842 km² of mountainous volcanic islands. Samoa was formerly known as Western Samoa and gained independence from New Zealand in 1962, becoming the first Pacific island nation to gain independence in the 20th century. The country changed its name from Western Samoa to Samoa in 1997. Samoa is renowned for preserving authentic Polynesian culture and traditional fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way of life) - village systems with matai (chiefs) governing communal lands, traditional fale (open-sided houses), Sunday as sacred rest day, and strong Christian faith mixed with Polynesian customs. Natural attractions include the famous To Sua Ocean Trench (spectacular swimming hole), pristine beaches with turquoise waters, lush rainforest mountains, dramatic waterfalls (Togitogiga, Afu Aau, Papapapaitai), blowholes, volcanic craters, and coral reefs. Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, spent his final years in Samoa and is buried on Mount Vaea above Apia - his former estate (Vailima) is now a museum. Samoa offers visa-free entry on arrival for ALL nationalities for 60 days with return ticket - among the world's most accessible countries. The islands offer authentic Pacific island experience with less commercial tourism development than Hawaii or Fiji, traditional village culture, natural beauty, friendly locals, and relaxed atmosphere.

Visa Requirements for Samoa

Samoa offers visa-free entry on arrival for citizens of ALL countries for tourism for 60 days. This universal visa-free policy makes Samoa one of the world's most accessible destinations. Requirements: passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay, confirmed return or onward ticket (strictly enforced - airlines may deny boarding without this), proof of sufficient funds may be requested (typically $200-300 USD or equivalent per week of stay), and completed arrival/departure card on flight. Entry stamp issued on arrival at Faleolo International Airport (APW, 35km from Apia) or on arrival by cruise ship at Apia port. No advance visa application required for any nationality. Extensions possible up to additional 60 days (total maximum 4 months in any 12-month period) through Immigration Office in Apia (located at Immigration Building, Beach Road - requires visit in person with passport, return ticket (can be flexible), proof of funds, accommodation details, and extension fee approximately 100 WST / $40 USD per month). Samoa is safe for tourists - violent crime is very rare, petty theft uncommon, locals are welcoming and friendly; government travel advisories from Australia, New Zealand, UK, US, Canada, and European countries note no significant safety concerns. Sunday observance is strong - most businesses closed, no swimming at beaches or in ocean (villages enforce traditional Sunday rest), limited restaurants open (plan ahead for Sunday meals and activities - Saturday shopping essential). Samoan tala (WST) is the currency (approximately 1 USD = 2.7 WST), though USD, AUD, and NZD are accepted at tourist establishments (change in WST). English and Samoan are official languages - English widely spoken, especially in Apia and tourist areas.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry on Arrival (Tourism)

60 days on arrival; passport valid 6+ months required; confirmed return/onward ticket MANDATORY (airlines strictly enforce - booking confirmation required, not just intention to purchase); proof of sufficient funds may be requested ($200-300 per week); arrival/departure card completed on flight; entry stamp at Faleolo International Airport or Apia cruise port; no advance application needed; no visa fee; straightforward immigration process (typically 10-15 minutes unless cruise ship arrival); extensions available up to additional 60 days through Immigration Office in Apia (Beach Road, visit Monday-Friday 9am-4pm, bring passport, return ticket, accommodation details, proof of funds, extension fee 100 WST/$40 USD per month, approved same day or within 1-2 days); maximum total stay 4 months in any 12-month period with extensions. Return ticket requirement is strictly enforced - one-way tickets or no ticket will result in denied entry or denied boarding by airlines. Changeable tickets acceptable. This universal visa-free policy makes Samoa among world's most welcoming destinations.

For tourism for citizens of ALL countries - Samoa has universal visa-free policy for visitors with return tickets.

Work Permits and Business Visas

Work permits required for any paid employment in Samoa (arranged by sponsoring Samoan employer; application through Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour - MCIL; requires job offer letter, qualifications, passport copies, medical examination, police clearance, application fee approximately 500 WST / $200 USD; processing 4-8 weeks; renewable annually if employment continues; employer must demonstrate local Samoans not available for position). Business visas for entrepreneurs and investors (application through MCIL and Immigration; requires business plan, proof of investment funds, company registration in Samoa, financial statements, fees 500-1,000 WST depending on business type; processing 6-12 weeks; renewable). Foreign Investment Act governs investment requirements and restricted sectors. Professional advice recommended for work permits and business operations. Many foreigners work in development sector (NGOs, government aid programs), tourism, education, and religious missions. Samoa encourages tourism investment but maintains restrictions on land ownership (only Samoan citizens can own customary land - 80% of land; foreigners can own freehold land or lease).

For employment, business operations, or long-term business activities in Samoa.

Long-term Residence and Retirement

Residence permits available through Immigration Office (various categories: family reunion with Samoan citizen/resident, retirement with guaranteed income, special skills or contribution to Samoa, investment/business). Requirements vary by category: typically require financial stability (bank statements showing income or savings - retirement category requires pension or investment income approximately $2,000+ monthly), medical examination, police clearance from home country, references, application fee 500-2,000 WST depending on category, and evidence of accommodation in Samoa (lease or property ownership documentation). Processing time 2-6 months. Successful applicants receive residence permit valid 1-3 years initially, renewable. Permanent residence possible after extended residence periods. Path to citizenship available after residence and meeting criteria (including Samoan language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and contribution to Samoa - discretionary approval). Many foreigners retire to Samoa due to low cost of living, beautiful environment, and welcoming culture, though adapting to village life and Sunday restrictions requires cultural flexibility. Professional immigration advice recommended for long-term plans.

For foreigners seeking long-term residence in Samoa, including retirees, family members of Samoan citizens, and those with special circumstances.

Important Travel Information

To Sua Ocean Trench - Samoa's Most Famous Attraction: To Sua Ocean Trench (To Sua means 'giant swimming hole' in Samoan) is a spectacular natural swimming hole on the south coast of Upolu island, approximately 1 hour drive from Apia. This former lava tube collapsed to create a deep circular pool (30 meters deep) surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Crystal-clear turquoise water fills the pool, connected to the ocean via underground lava tube system (water is saltwater). Access is via a dramatic 30-meter wooden ladder descending the sheer rock wall into the pool - requires decent fitness and confidence with heights. Swimming in the pool is an unforgettable experience - shafts of sunlight penetrate the jungle canopy above, tropical fish occasionally swim through, and the setting is otherworldly beautiful. Adjacent to the main trench is a smaller pool with easier access. Facilities include changing rooms, toilets, picnic areas, and restaurant. Entry fee 20 WST ($8 USD). Safety: ladder is sturdy but can be slippery when wet - hold railings carefully; life jackets available for weak swimmers; swimming ability required (no lifeguards - swim at own risk). Best visiting time is morning (9-11am) for best light and before crowds. The site is on private land, owned and maintained by local family. Photography opportunities are incredible. To Sua Ocean Trench is Samoa's most photographed location and a must-visit - allow 2-3 hours including swimming and exploring gardens. Located in Lotofaga village on south coast - combine with nearby attractions like Coconut Beach, Lalomanu Beach, or turtle sanctuary.

Sunday Observance and Cultural Respect: Sunday in Samoa is sacred rest day, observed with strict traditional and religious customs. Samoa is deeply Christian (98% of population) following arrival of missionaries in the 1830s, but Sunday observance blends Christianity with pre-Christian Polynesian customs. On Sundays: most businesses are closed (including shops, restaurants, tour operators, car rentals - exceptions: some hotel restaurants may serve guests, Apia has limited Sunday dining options); beaches and ocean are closed for swimming and water activities (villages enforce this - swimming on Sunday can result in fines or conflict with locals); villages conduct sa (curfew prayers) multiple times - when sa bell rings (typically 6-7pm but also morning and midday), stop all activities and remain quiet out of respect (driving through villages during sa is permitted but be respectful and quiet); loud activities are discouraged; traditional Sunday to'ona'i (feast after church) is major family event. Visitors should plan accordingly: do grocery shopping on Saturday, arrange Sunday meals in advance, plan land-based or indoor activities (museums, relaxing at accommodation, scenic drives), dress modestly if visiting villages, avoid beaches. Many locals consider Sunday best day for scenic drives and waterfall visits (not swimming, just viewing). Cultural respect is essential: when visiting villages, dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees - men wear shirts, women wear modest dresses or lavalavas with tops; swimwear is for beaches only, not villages or roads); always ask permission before photographing people or entering private property (especially fale houses); remove shoes when entering fale; participate in fa'alavelave (gift-giving ceremonies) if invited - bring small financial contribution in envelope or modest gift. Samoa rewards respectful visitors with warm hospitality and authentic cultural experiences. Learning basic Samoan phrases enhances interactions: 'Talofa' (hello), 'Fa'afetai' (thank you), 'Fa'amolemole' (please/excuse me).

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Literary Heritage: Robert Louis Stevenson, acclaimed Scottish author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, spent the last four years of his life (1890-1894) in Samoa, where he died at age 44. Stevenson sailed to South Pacific seeking relief from tuberculosis and fell in love with Samoa, purchasing 400 acres on Mount Vaea above Apia and building an estate called Vailima ('five waters' in Samoan). Stevenson and his wife Fanny became integrated into Samoan society - Stevenson was given the chiefly title Tusitala ('teller of tales') and supported Samoans during colonial conflicts. He continued writing at Vailima, completing works including The Ebb-Tide and Catriona. Stevenson died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1894 while working on Weir of Hermiston. Samoan chiefs carried his body up Mount Vaea to his chosen burial spot at the summit (326m elevation), where his tomb remains with his famous epitaph 'Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill.' Vailima is now the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, restored to period appearance with original furniture, personal items, photographs, manuscripts, and exhibits about his life and Samoan years. Entry 20 WST ($8 USD), guided tours available (30-45 minutes, knowledgeable guides share anecdotes and history). The museum captures late Victorian era and Stevenson's personality. The tomb on Mount Vaea summit is accessible via steep hiking trail (45 minutes up, moderate-strenuous, rewarding views over Apia and north coast from the top - visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat). Combined, Vailima Museum and tomb hike make excellent half-day activity for literary enthusiasts or history buffs. Stevenson's legacy remains strong in Samoa - he is remembered fondly as a friend of the Samoan people.

Travel Guide

Samoa is the independent Polynesian island nation at the western end of the Samoan archipelago — not American Samoa, the US territory to the east. Two main islands, Upolu (capital Apia, most visitors) and Sava'i (larger, less developed, more traditional), plus eight smaller islets, 200,000 people, and a diaspora in New Zealand, Australia and the US that outnumbers the home population. What Samoa offers is not the resort-and-beach circuit of Fiji or Hawaii but something rarer: intact Polynesian village culture. The fa'a Samoa — the Samoan way — is still lived: matai chiefs governing customary land, communal fale (open-sided houses), Sunday as a genuinely observed day of rest when beaches close, villages quiet, and no business opens. The landmark is To Sua Ocean Trench — a former lava tube that collapsed into a 30-metre circular swimming pool, filled with crystal-clear saltwater connected to the ocean underground, ringed by tropical gardens, accessed by a single wooden ladder down the rock face. Robert Louis Stevenson chose Samoa for the last four years of his life, was buried on Mount Vaea above Apia, and is still remembered as Tusitala, teller of tales. Universal visa-free entry: all nationalities receive 60 days on arrival with a return ticket.

Ways to Experience This Destination

To Sua Ocean Trench

Samoa's most famous natural attraction: a collapsed lava tube on Upolu's south coast that formed a 30-metre circular saltwater pool, clear as glass, connected to the ocean by underground channels, descended by a single wooden ladder from the jungle above. A single swimming experience with no real equivalent in the Pacific. 20 WST entry; morning visits for light; 1 hour from Apia.

Fa'a Samoa — Polynesian Village Culture

The fa'a Samoa is not a tourist performance but a living system: matai chiefs, communal land tenure, village governance, the sa (curfew prayer) that quiets all activity twice daily, and Sunday as total rest. Beach fale (open-sided traditional houses on the sand, $20–40/night including meals) immerse visitors in this rhythm — Lalomanu on Upolu's south-east coast is the classic setting.

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Mount Vaea

Stevenson spent his last four years (1890–1894) at Vailima above Apia, dying at 44 and buried on Mount Vaea at his own request. His estate is now a museum preserved in late Victorian style. The summit hike (45 minutes, steep) passes his tomb with the famous epitaph. A complete literary pilgrimage in a morning.

Beaches and Sava'i's Volcanic Landscapes

Lalomanu on Upolu's south-east coast is one of the Pacific's finest white-sand beaches. Sava'i, the larger island reached by ferry (90 minutes from Upolu), holds a different landscape: Sale'aula Lava Fields (a village buried under 1905–1911 eruptions, ruins visible in hardened black rock), the Alofaaga Blowholes driving plumes 20–30 m through lava coast, and Afu Aau waterfall with a natural swimming pool.

Diving and Snorkeling

Samoa's reefs are in good condition: Palolo Deep Marine Reserve off Apia offers protected snorkeling, and dive operators run trips to walls, coral gardens and occasional wrecks around both islands. Humpback whales pass through July–October. Visibility 20–30 m year-round. Water temperature a consistent 26–29°C.

Money & Currency

Money & Currency
SAT

Samoan Tala (WST)

Currency code: WST

Practical Money Tips

Samoan Tālā — Exchange on Arrival in Apia

Samoa uses the Samoan tālā (WST). US dollars and New Zealand dollars are the most useful currencies to bring — exchange rates at Apia's Westpac, ANZ, and National Bank of Samoa are competitive. Euros are exchangeable but at less favourable rates.

ATMs in Apia — Very Limited Outside the Capital

Westpac, ANZ, and National Bank of Samoa branches have ATMs in Apia. On the island of Savai'i and in remote areas, cash machines are scarce or absent. Withdraw sufficient WST before travelling outside Apia.

Cards at Hotels — Cash Everywhere Else

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at larger hotels, resorts, and some restaurants in Apia. Most faleoloa (local stores), markets, local transport, and rural fales are cash-only. American Express is rarely accepted. Apple Pay and Google Pay have very limited support.

Keep WST for Day-to-Day Spending

Cash is the norm for local buses, markets, village entry fees, and church donations (expected as a guest). Keep small WST bills — vendors rarely have change. Budget around WST 50–100 for a local market meal.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

States & Regions in Samoa

Explore different regions and their cities.

Hosted missions

Embassies in Samoa

These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.

Key origin countries

United Kingdom in Samoa

Need help checking visa requirements or applying for your trip to Samoa?

Apply for Samoa visa