GoSamoa Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

There are no direct flights between China and Samoa, and Chinese citizens coming to Samoa need to transfer in Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji. Chinese citizens coming to Kazakhstan need to know in advance whether they need to apply for a transit country visa. Chinese citizens traveling to Samoa for a stay of up to 90 days and meeting all five of the following conditions are eligible for visa free entry into Samoa:

（1） Passport valid for at least 6 months;

（2） Holding a confirmed return or connecting flight ticket;

（3） A valid visa, permit, or other valid proof of travel to the next destination;

（4） Proof of sufficient funds to pay for the stay in Sa;

（5） Accommodation information in Samoa.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Samoa Customs implements a system of passenger entry and exit registration and declaration, requiring customs clearance for animals and plants, tobacco and alcohol, prohibited drugs, various types of food, duty-free gifts exceeding 500 Taras, and currency valued at 20000 Taras or more.

It is not necessary to provide COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen test results when entering Samoa. Please refer to the website of the Samoan Ministry of Health for the latest epidemic prevention requirements（ https://www.health.gov.ws/ ）.

Residency and Naturalization

Chinese citizens who stay in Samoa for more than 90 days are required to apply for a residence permit. For details, please refer to the Samoa Immigration Bureau website（ https://mpmc.gov.ws/divisions/immigration/ ）.

Samoa's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

The overall security situation in Samoa is good, but cases of petty theft, burglary, robbery, etc. occur from time to time. Please take good care of personal belongings, avoid "showing off wealth", and try to avoid traveling at night.

natural disaster

The main natural disasters in Samoa are earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. In the event of an earthquake or tsunami warning, please evacuate from the coastal area as soon as possible. The rainy season in Samoa lasts from November to April. There are a lot of rainstorm. There are occasional mountain torrents and landslides. Please pay attention to the local weather forecast and avoid going out in bad weather.

FDA

The overall food hygiene in Samoa is good. However, supermarkets sometimes sell food or beverages that have expired or are about to expire, or even have not been labeled with an expiration date, so caution should be exercised when purchasing. Do not drink raw water in Samoa.

infectious diseases

The main infectious diseases in Sa include influenza, measles, dengue fever, filariasis, etc. Please pay attention to preventing mosquito bites and maintain personal hygiene.

Urgent Help

Fire alarm: 994; First aid: 66717; Police station: 22222; Emergency call number: 911.

Emergency contact information for consular protection at the Embassy of Samoa: 00685-28897 (office phone), 00685-7788668 (mobile phone)

air traffic

There are no direct flights between China and Samoa, and Chinese citizens coming to Samoa need to transfer in Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji.

land transport

Samoa has ring roads and roads connecting the city and major attractions, with vehicles driving on the right and left. Multiple motor vehicle rental agencies provide car rental services. Chinese driver's license must be replaced with a local driver's license before it can be used.

There are many roads in Sashan, with narrow surfaces and poor lighting at night. It is recommended to avoid driving at night as much as possible. The speed limit in Samoan towns is 40km/h, and in suburban and rural areas it is 56km/h. Please slow down and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

water communication

Samoa has daily ferries to and from the capital Apia, Upolu Island, and the outer island of Savai Island. Ferry times and fees are detailed in https://www.ssc.ws/timetable-and-fares .

Urban transportation

Samoa has bus and taxi services around the island. Taxis do not have a fare meter and prices need to be negotiated with the driver when boarding.

major city

Apia, the capital of Samoa.

Commodity prices

The local area is rich in coconuts, breadfruit, papaya, bananas, and taro, while other foods mainly rely on imports, with prices about 2-3 times higher than in China. The local currency in Samoa is Tala (TALA), which is approximately 2.5 Chinese yuan per Tala (as of July 1, 2022); One dollar is equivalent to 2.6 talas. There are local banks such as ANZ, BSP, INTERNATIONAL BANK, SAMOA COMMERCIAL BANK, which provide services such as deposit and withdrawal, transfer, and currency exchange.

All banks and most restaurants offer currency exchange services. ATM machines are installed at airports, banks, and large hotels, and overseas tourists can use their own credit cards to withdraw money with a password. Samoan hotels, accommodation, shopping (including food and beverages), etc. are subject to a 15% tax and generally do not require tipping.

Samoa mainly uses cash and card swiping is inconvenient. It is recommended to exchange the full amount of currency at the airport or bank.

Insurance Medical

There is a national hospital and several private hospitals in Apia, the capital of Samoa. The medical supplies and equipment in Sa are relatively scarce, and the medical conditions are limited. Severely ill patients need to be sent to New Zealand for treatment. The outpatient fees for domestic citizens and foreigners are different in national hospitals, and foreigners are relatively expensive.

Influenza, measles, dengue fever, filariasis, etc. are the main infectious diseases in Saudi Arabia, and diabetes, obesity, hypertension, etc. are the common diseases.

Customs taboos

（1） Samoans have the habit of sticking their faces to their faces when welcoming and seeing off guests or relatives and friends, and should follow local customs when in Rome.

（2） There is a traditional welcoming ceremony in Samoa called the Kava ceremony, where the host presents guests with a drink called Kava. Guests are not allowed to refuse and should drink a small amount. Before drinking, a small amount should be sprinkled on the ground as a tribute. At the end of the ceremony, the guest of honor must give money to the dancers. When watching local dances, it is common to give unlimited tips to the dancers at the end.

（3） Samoans distinguish their status by the title of matai (chief) and are generally referred to by title.

（4） When visiting a Samoan household, one must sit cross legged on a straw mat.

（5） Do not wear shorts when participating in activities.

（6） Sunday is the day when Samoans go to church for worship, and shops are usually closed.

（7） Samoans are devout believers in religion, and there are dedicated people praying before meals and various activities. At this time, silence should be maintained.

Communications Power

Samoa country code "685". Samoa's landline and mobile phones can make international long-distance calls, with "0" before the country code. But sometimes the line is not connected and the cost is expensive; Local mobile phones have weak signals in some areas; Chinese mobile phones can roam in Samoa or be used with local SIM cards, but there is a problem of poor signal.

There is 4G network service available, and a data plan can be purchased. However, the network signal is not very stable and has not reached full coverage.

Power supply: 240V/AC50, Australian style flat three-phase socket.

contact information

1、 Samoa Tourism Board

685-22371 or 63521 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm; Saturday, 8:00am to 12:00pm);

website https://www.samoa.travel/

2、 Airport consultation hotline: 685-42099.

3、 Samoa Immigration Department telephone: 685-20291 or 20292.

4、 Telephone inquiry desk: 933.

Telephone malfunction hotline: 120.

5、 Emergency call number: 911

Fire alarm: 994

Police Station: 22222

First aid: 66717