Government advisories for Samoa
US State Department
US L1 · Normal precautionsExercise Normal Precautions
Exercise normal precaution in Samoa . Samoa is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Samoa to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Jul 7, 2026
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
UK · no warningsNo FCDO travel warnings
Latest change: Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
Official notice Source: gov.uk · updated Mar 19, 2026
Government of Canada
CA 1 · Normal precautionsTake normal security precautions
Latest change: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca · updated Nov 2, 2026
Local scams and street crime
- Crime: The level of serious crime is low, and incidents of petty theft are uncommon and opportunistic. Do not leave your belongings unattended. Use hotel safes or deposit boxes for passports and valuables.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Mar 19, 2026
LGBT+ and women travellers: what the UK FCDO says
- LGBT+ travellers: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Samoa and same-sex marriage is not recognised. Showing affection in public is likely to receive negative attention.
Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Mar 19, 2026
Women, children and family: what governments say
- Women's safety (Government of Canada): Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Sexual assaults occur. Be aware of your surroundings Avoid walking alone after dark or in remote areas Exercise particular caution in and around the Beach Road strip of bars in Apia
Official notice Source: Government of Canada and UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licences)
Pregnancy and children: CDC health notes for Samoa
- Zika: the CDC lists Zika as a risk in Samoa. An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby. CDC on Zika
- Hepatitis A (children): Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
- Measles (children): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
CDC health page for Samoa · CDC: pregnant travelers · CDC: traveling with children
Official notice Source: CDC Travelers' Health (US government, public domain). General information, not medical advice: see a doctor or travel clinic before you go.
German Foreign Office
DE · no travel warningNo travel warning
Official notice Source: Auswärtiges Amt · updated Oct 13, 2026
Read the official travel and safety advice
Dutch Foreign Ministry
NL · greenGreen: no special safety risks
De kleurcode van het reisadvies voor Samoa is groen. U kunt erheen reizen. Lees welke veiligheidsrisico’s er zijn.
Official notice Source: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nederland Wereldwijd (open data, CC0) · updated Jun 25, 2026
New Zealand SafeTravel
NZ · level 1Exercise normal safety and security precautions
Official notice Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SafeTravel (CC BY 4.0) · updated 25 November 2025
Italian Foreign Ministry (alerts are in Italian)
IT · latest alert (in Italian)- SAMOA: rischi ambientali e calamità naturali.
Nell'area del Pacifico Meridionale il fenomeno climatico noto come "El Niño" è in fase di rafforzamento e si prevede raggiungere un'intensità molto forte, tra dicembre 2026 e marzo 2027. Secondo le previsioni dell'Organizzazione Meteorologica Mondiale ( https://wmo.int/ ), nella maggior parte dei Paesi dell'area si registreranno precipitazioni inferiori alla media e condizioni di siccità, alternate a momenti di inte
Official notice Source: Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, Unita di Crisi, Viaggiare Sicuri (Italian, as published) · updated Nov 6, 2026
Each government uses its own scale. Read the full advisory before you book or travel; regional differences inside a country can matter more than the headline level.
Entry requirements for Samoa
🇬🇧 British passport holders
- Visa: You can visit Samoa without a visa for up to 60 days. Border officials will issue a free visitor permit or business visitor permit using your arrival card. You may need to show:
- Passport: To enter Samoa, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Read the full UK entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Samoa’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Samoa set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Samoan High Commission in Brussels.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Samoa, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Dual nationals
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Visa requirements
You can visit Samoa without a visa for up to 60 days. Border officials will issue a free visitor permit or business visitor permit using your arrival card. You may need to show:
- an onward or return ticket
- sufficient funds – a bank statement is acceptable evidence
- confirmed accommodation such as a hotel booking or letter of invitation
To stay longer than 60 days, or for work, study or other reasons, apply for a Samoan entry permit.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Samoa, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Samoa guide.
Departure tax for flights to American Samoa
If you are flying from Samoa to American Samoa, you must pay a departure tax of 40 Samoan tala.
Customs rules
There are strict regulations covering the import of firearms, plant and animal products, pets and recreational drugs. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Taking money into Samoa
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 20,000 talas or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it with you.
Official notice Source: UK Foreign Office · updated Mar 19, 2026
🇨🇦 Canadian passport holders
- Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 60 days
Read the full Canadian entry requirements
Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.
The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.
We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.
Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.
Passport
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.
Regular Canadian passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Samoa.
Passport for official travel
Different entry rules may apply.
Passport with “X” gender identifier
While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.
Other travel documents
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Useful links
- Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
- Canadian passports and other travel documents
Visas
Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 60 days
Business visa: not required for stays up to 60 days
Student visa: required (temporary resident permit)
You may extend your stay beyond 60 days by applying at the local immigration office.
Samoa Immigration - Government of Samoa
Other entry requirements
Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Children and travel
Learn about travelling with children.
Yellow fever
Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).
Official notice Source: Government of Canada · updated Nov 2, 2026
Other passports
Rules depend on your nationality, so we do not guess. Before you book:
- Read your own government's travel advice first (US travellers: State Department page for Samoa).
- Not sure what your passport needs? Check the visa rules for your nationality (eVisas visa checker) or compare with VisaHQ. These are affiliate links: if you use their application service we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official government sites are usually cheaper and are linked above where we have them.
- Check your passport: many countries want it valid for 6 months after arrival and with blank pages.
- Check for an e-visa, travel authorisation or digital arrival card, and any vaccine rules (yellow fever is the common one).
- Ask your airline: they can refuse boarding if your documents do not match the rules.
Entry rules are set by each government and change without notice. This summary is for planning only and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm on the official government website and with your airline before you book or travel. Voyaggora is not a government agency and does not process visas.
Essentials for travelers
Emergency 911
- Plugs: type I
- Power: 230 V, 50 Hz
- Traffic drives on the left
- Tap water: not recommended
- Calling code: +685
Compiled by Voyaggora from IEC World Plugs, government and consular sources. Confidence: high. Check with your embassy or hotel before you rely on it in an emergency.
Health and safety numbers for Samoa
| Measure | Value | Year | What it means | World median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safely managed drinking water % of people | 62.5 | 2024 | Share of people whose drinking water is on their premises, available when needed and free from contamination. Origin: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. World Bank data page | 80.6 (151 countries) |
| Doctors per 1,000 people | 0.56 | 2021 | Generalist and specialist doctors for every 1,000 people. Origin: WHO Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, country data. World Bank data page | 1.62 (208 countries) |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 0.95 | 2005 | Inpatient beds in public, private and specialist hospitals for every 1,000 people. Origin: WHO, country data. World Bank data page | 2.39 (201 countries) |
| Measles vaccination % of children aged 12-23 months | 85 | 2024 | Share of young children who have had a measles vaccine dose. Origin: WHO/UNICEF. World Bank data page | 90 (193 countries) |
| Road traffic deaths per 100,000 people | 13.0 | 2019 | Estimated deaths from road traffic injuries for every 100,000 people. The newest year WHO published is 2019. Origin: WHO. World Bank data page | 14.9 (190 countries) |
| Intentional homicides per 100,000 people | 6.26 | 2018 | Unlawful deaths inflicted on a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury, for every 100,000 people. Origin: UNODC. World Bank data page | 2.61 (196 countries) |
These are yearly statistics, not live data. They are estimates by WHO, UNICEF, IHME and UNODC, republished by the World Bank, and they describe the whole country, not a city or resort. Countries measure and report these figures in different ways, and the year of the newest figure differs from row to row.
Official notice Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Underlying estimates by WHO, UNICEF, IHME and UNODC, republished by the World Bank, database updated 2026-11-11. World median worked out by Voyaggora from the same World Bank data (median of countries with data, each country's latest year). · checked
Local laws to know before you go (Government of Canada advice)
Written by the Government of Canada for Canadian travellers. Laws change; the full, current text is on the Government of Canada page.
Drugs
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
Alcohol
The legal drinking age in Samoa is 21.
The sale of alcohol is prohibited on Sundays.
Drugs, alcohol and travel
2SLGBTQI+ persons
Samoan law criminalizes sodomy between persons of the same sex. If you are convicted, you could face imprisonment.
2SLGBTQI+ persons could also be discriminated against or detained based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They may be charged with crimes against public welfare.
2SLGBTQI+ persons should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Samoa.
Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
Dress and behaviour
To avoid offending local sensitivities:
- dress conservatively
- behave discreetly
- respect religious and social traditions
- don’t take photos of individuals without explicit permission
- request permission before entering a lagoon as certain villages may hold customary rights over them
Official notice Source: Government of Canada, Travel Advice and Advisories for Samoa. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. The text is the Government of Canada's own words, shown unchanged (long entries end at a full stop); Voyaggora adds nothing and interprets nothing (advice last updated November 2, 2026 09:42 EST; data file generated 2026-11-02). · checked
Taiwan travel warning
- Level 1 (grey) 第一級：灰色提醒 - 薩摩亞 - Samoa
Chinese label 灰色提醒 (literally: grey, reminder) · text is in Chinese: open the original · published
Live feed Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (BOCA) (dataset data.gov.tw/dataset/116026, Government Open Data License v1.0). The Chinese title is shown unchanged; the English wording of the level is a literal translation by Voyaggora. This is Taiwan's own government warning and does not mean BOCA endorses Voyaggora. · checked
Emergency numbers in Samoa
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 995 |
| Ambulance (emergency medical services) | 996 |
| Fire (fire department) | 994 |
| Emergency (no service named in Wikidata) | 999 |
From Wikidata (CC0). Wikidata is edited by volunteers and lists a role only where an editor has recorded one; check locally, for example with your embassy or hotel, before you rely on a number.
Live feed Source: Wikidata, Wikidata property P2852 “emergency phone number” · Wikidata data is CC0 (public domain) · checked
Is Samoa on the UK visa national list?
Samoa is not on the list of nationalities that need a visa for a visit (check the rules for your purpose).
List: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list, paragraph VN 1.1(a), 115 countries and territorial entities. Latest change recorded by GOV.UK: Mar 5, 2026. This is only the visa national list; the Rules contain other conditions, so read the full page on GOV.UK.
Official notice Source: GOV.UK, UK Home Office · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 · checked
Is Samoa on the US Visa Waiver Program list (ESTA)?
Samoa is not on the list of countries DHS shows as currently designated for the US Visa Waiver Program.
DHS page “Last Updated”: Oct 28, 2026. The page lists countries; whether a particular traveller qualifies is set by DHS, see the page.
Official notice Source: Visa Waiver Program, US Department of Homeland Security · US government work, not subject to copyright (17 U.S.C. § 105) · checked
Canada visitor visa processing time for applications made from Samoa
IRCC’s processing-time tool answers the question “Where are you applying from?”. For visitor-visa applications made from Samoa, it shows:
- IRCC shows no processing time for a visitor visa (from outside Canada) for applications made from Samoa.
IRCC’s own figures, as of November 4, 2026. IRCC says: “Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.” The time depends on where the application is made, not on citizenship, and whether a visa or an eTA is needed depends on the traveller; check IRCC. Tool and details: IRCC check processing times.
Live feed Source: Check processing times, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · checked
More governments' travel advice for Samoa
Australia: Smartraveller (DFAT)
AU · Exercise normal safety precautions
“Exercise normal safety precautions in Samoa.”
Smartraveller page last changed Aug 5, 2026 · level and wording as published (text shortened to its opening sentences where long)
Read the official Australian advice
Live feed Source: Smartraveller (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence; terms on the Smartraveller copyright page). Attribution: “Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website - www.smartraveller.gov.au”. Not an endorsement of Voyaggora by the Australian Government. Checked .
France: Conseils aux voyageurs (France Diplomatie)
FR · vigilance normale
“L’ensemble de Samoa est placé en vigilance normale.”
Level word, literal translation by Voyaggora: normal vigilance.
Alerts France lists for this country (titles as published, in French):
- Recrudescence des cas de dengue · en ligne le Mar 4, 2026; mis à jour le Aug 24, 2026
Sécurité: mise à jour le Nov 5, 2026; zones: actualisation le Mar 12, 2026; alerts page: mise à jour le Sep 10, 2026 · text quoted unchanged
Read the official French advice (French) · Alerts page · Translate to English
Live feed Source: diplomatie.gouv.fr, Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs. Licence Ouverte / Open Licence version 2.0 (avril 2017), mentions légales; the source and the date of last update are shown as the licence requires. Excerpts are reproduced unchanged and may not show the whole advice: read the full official page. Not an endorsement of Voyaggora by the French government. Checked .
Each government’s own words and date, shown side by side. Voyaggora does not compare or rank them.
More live hazards and notices
Getting around
- Planets tonight Above the horizon after dark (about 20:02 local): Saturn. Calculated from astronomy (astral, Astronomy Engine) and the IANA time zone database.
Weather, sea and nature
- UV index forecast, Apia: peak 14.4 (extreme) around 23:00 UTC (Thu) in the next 24 hours, if the sky is clear. Cloud lowers it; protect your skin from 3 upward. Source: MET Norway (NLOD 2.0 and CC BY 4.0), forecast of 2026-11-12 01:17 UTC. Checked .
- Tides today in Samoa: Apia (2026-11-11): Low 02:18 1.30 m · High 08:01 1.90 m · Low 14:08 1.38 m · High 20:13 2.04 m. Predicted high and low tide times (local time) and heights above chart datum; real water levels shift with weather and swell. Source: NOAA CO-OPS (US government data, public domain). Checked .
- Coral reef heat stress (snorkelling and diving): the Samoas: no stress (warmest sea surface 28.6 °C, -0.6 °C against normal, accumulated heat stress 0.0 °C-weeks). Satellite-based, 5 km areas, data of 2026-11-10 (about 3 days behind). Alert Level 1 and 2 mean bleaching is likely. Courtesy: NOAA Coral Reef Watch. Checked .
Events, holidays and sport
- Next public holidays: Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec); Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec); New Year's Day (Fri 1 Jan) · Shops, banks and attractions may close and prices rise. Computed with the open-source python-holidays library (MIT); check the official calendar.
Other live notices
- Daylight today in Apia (capital): sunrise 05:49, sunset 18:33 (12 h 43 min of daylight, local time Pacific/Apia); moon: waxing crescent, about 5% lit. Calculated from astronomy (NOAA solar-position equations), accurate to a couple of minutes; not an official feed. Moon phase from the mean lunar cycle. Updated .
- Light and clocks in Apia (capital): Golden hour (soft photo light) 05:49 to 06:19 and 18:03 to 18:33; blue hour after sunset 18:33 to 19:04; daylight is growing by 1 minute a day. No clock change is scheduled in the next 14 months. Local time in Apia: UTC+13. Calculated from astronomy and the international time-zone database; governments can change clock rules at short notice, so check before you travel. Not an official feed.
Live feed Sources: NOAA / NWS (ash advisories from the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, aurora from the Space Weather Prediction Center), USGS, GeoNet New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) · checked
Model estimates, next 24 hoursSamoa
- Model forecast Next 24 hours in Apia (model forecast, not an official forecast): 25.7 to 26.3°C, 1.2 mm of rain, gusts to 39 km/h, cloud 77%. Derived from the NOAA GFS model output via the NOAA Open Data Dissemination programme. NOAA does not endorse this site.
- Sea state Sea off Samoa in the next 24 hours (model, open water only): waves about 2.1 m. Not a swimming or boating safety signal: follow local flags and warnings. Derived from the NOAA GFS-Wave model output via the NOAA Open Data Dissemination programme. NOAA does not endorse this site.
- Air (model) Fine particles (PM2.5) in Apia, modelled for the next 24 hours: about 16 µg/m³, just above the WHO 24-hour guideline of 15 µg/m³. A model estimate for the city, not a measurement. Derived from the NOAA GEFS-Aerosols model output via the NOAA Open Data Dissemination programme. NOAA does not endorse this site.
These are computer-model estimates from NOAA open model data (model run 11 Nov 18:00 UTC), not official forecasts, measurements or warnings. The official advisories, warnings and live sources for Samoa are listed on this page.
Pictures from space and the weather agenciesSamoa
Credits: We acknowledge the use of imagery provided by services from NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). NOAA pictures are public domain and shown unaltered; this is not an endorsement by NOAA. Himawari pictures: Source: Meteorological Satellite Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency website (https://www.data.jma.go.jp/mscweb/data/himawari/). True colour imagery by JMA with software from NOAA/NESDIS and Colorado State University-CIRA. Click a picture to open it at its source.
Health and vaccines
Vaccines, malaria and yellow-fever certificate rules: TravelHealthPro country pages (UK Health Security Agency), CDC destination pages, UK Foreign Office health advice. Ask a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.
Airport weather right now
| Airport | Temperature | Wind | Visibility | Conditions | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apia/Faleolo Intl NSFA | 28°C / 82°F | 10 kt from 270° | 6+ mi | Marginal (some cloud/haze) |
Live feed Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center · checked
Money
1 US dollar ≈ 2.76 WST · 1 euro ≈ 3.08 WST
Central-bank reference rate for Nov 11, 2026. Your card or exchange desk will differ.
Live feed Source: Frankfurter · checked
Official sources for Samoa
- Weather service: Samoa Meteorology Division (MNRE)
- Weather warnings: Samoa Meteorology Division (MNRE)
- Disaster and civil protection: Disaster Management Office
- Health ministry: Ministry of Health
- Road conditions: Land Transport Authority
- Official tourism board: Samoa Tourism Authority
- Emergency number(s): Ambulance/Police/Fire 911 (official page)
Links to the official government bodies, checked by us. Voyaggora does not run these sites. For anything urgent, use the official emergency number.
Voyaggora destination guides
Quick answers: is it safe to travel to Samoa?
- Is it safe to travel to Samoa right now?
- Official advice is to take normal or increased precautions. As of Nov 12, 03:43 UTC. The US State Department rates Samoa Level 1 of 4, "Normal precautions". Canada says "Take normal security precautions". The UK FCDO has no warnings against travel to Samoa. Advisory levels change and can vary by region within a country: check the official page before you travel. Sources: US State Department Canada UK FCDO.
- Are there any active weather or hazard alerts in Samoa right now?
- As of Nov 12, 03:43 UTC, Travel Live shows these live hazard and alert sections for Samoa: more live hazards and notices. Each one on this page names its official source and the time it was checked. Worldwide storms, earthquakes and disasters are on the Travel Live hub.
- What do the advisory levels mean?
- US State Department: Level 1 exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, Level 4 do not travel. Canada: take normal security precautions, exercise a high degree of caution, avoid non-essential travel, avoid all travel. UK FCDO: it advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the whole country or to parts of it, or has no warnings. Each government uses its own scale, so the levels are not directly comparable.
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Voyaggora summarises official sources and is not a government service; always confirm with the official advisory before you travel.