Consular Services

Consular Services

The Consulate General of the Independent State of Samoa provides consular services to Samoans abroad, particularly in Australia. This includes the facilitation of applications for Samoan passports and requests relating to other important official documents issued by the Government of Samoa.

The Consulate also endeavours to provide information and advice, where possible, on immigration and other general matters of interest to non-Samoan residents. All other enquiries requiring details will be referred to the relevant authorities in Apia.

Please contact the Consulate for further information not available herein.

Passports

All passport applications received by the Consulate are sent to the Immigration Office in Samoa for processing. The Immigration Office will courier the passports to the Consulate after processing, and will be despatched via express post to the applicant's mailing address, or available at the front desk to be uplifted.

The process can take up to eight weeks from the date of receipt by the Consulate of the application.

Citizenship & other Immigration Documents

All requests and applications for matters relating to citizenship and renunciation thereof; as well as other immigration/travel related documents for Samoan citizens & residents are referred to the Samoa High Commission Office in Canberra.

Other Documents

The Consulate can facilitate requests relating to birth, marriage & death certificates and police reports by obtaining the documents from the relevant authorities in Samoa.

Requests for Certificate of Non-Impediment; etc by obtaining the documents from the relevant authorities in Samoa including the Apostille Stamp (Certification) administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Apia can be applied through the Samoa High Commission Office in Canberra.

The applicant must provide a brief background note, details of full return postal address and pay the relevant fee(s).

VISA INFORMATION FOR NON SAMOAN CITIZENS/NATIONALS

For Visitors:

Visitors may enter and stay in Samoa on a visitor’s visa issued on arrival at the airport. The following is necessary to facilitate travel:

• Passport must be valid for 6 months;
• Return air ticket from Samoa;
  
• Valid visa or permit for entry into the country to which you will travel from Samoa and;
  
• Provide information on accommodation arrangements in Samoa.
  

In addition, visitors to Samoa for the purpose of attending meetings may enter and stay in Samoa for the duration of the meeting/workshop/seminar on the visitor’s visa issued on arrival provided that the local counterpart contacts the Immigration Office in Apia about the participants’ attendance; and that the participants hand-carry a letter from conference organizers to facilitate arrival at the border.

For Medical Electives/Short-term Attachments/Exchange Programme:

On behalf of the Samoa Immigration Services, the Samoa High Commissioner's Office in Canberra facilitates the issuance of Temporary Resident Permits for Study in Samoa.

All non-national passport holders must complete the application for a ‘Temporary Resident Permit’ (MPMC100) in order to enter and stay in Samoa for the duration of the attachment. The application must be accompanied by the following:

• 2 recent passport photographs of each applicant;
• Copy of the biodata page of passport;
  
• Copy of confirmed return travel to and from Samoa;
  
• Letter of acceptance (stamped and signed) from the local counterpart in Samoa to undertake attachment/exchange programme;
  
• Letter of confirmation (stamped and signed) of study from your University/Institute of Learning;
  
• Evidence of funds to support yourself (e.g. bank statement);
  
• Confirmation of accommodation in Samoa;
  
• Medical and Police reports (as applicable)
  

Visa requests for Other Reasons:

The Consulate can facilitate obtaining the approval from the Immigration Authorities in Samoa subject to submitting all the required documentation and payment of the relevant fee.

All visa applications are to be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to intended departure for Samoa.