GENERAL INFORMATION
It's all about location!
American Samoa is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii in the north and New Zealand in the south. Our geographic coordinates are 14 degrees 16 degrees south, 170 degrees 42 degrees west.
Immigration
American Samoa has its own Immigration Laws for all foreign visitors entering the Territory.
U.S. Passport holders can travel freely to and from the Territory.
American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program
To qualify for the entry under the EPWP, a foreign traveler must provide:
Non-Expired Machine Readable Passport that must be valid for at least 6 months after planned departure from American Samoa;
Confirmed roundtrip ticket to point of origin or onward passage;
Payment of USD$20 processing fee: and
You must apply and pay online at www.legalaffairs.as.gov for an “OK to Board” before you travel.
Eligibility under the EPWP does not guarantee entry into American Samoa. Immigration Officers may refuse entry at the port of entry based on American Samoa laws. Furthermore, a traveler who poses a threat to the welfare, health and safety, or security of American Samoa will be denied entry and place back on the arriving vessel to be returned to the point of origin.
Travelers entering American Samoa to board fishing vessels or other commercial vessels are NOT eligible for the EPWP.
Countries: Citizens of the following countries are eligible to travel to American Samoa under the EPWP. These countries are also listed under the U.S. State Department Visa Waiver Program.
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federate States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).
Permitted Activities: The following are examples of activities permitted while in American Samoa on the EPWP.
Business: (a) Consult with business associates; (b) Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference; (c) Attend a short-term training (you may not be paid by any source in American Samoa with the exception of expenses incidental to your stay); (d) Negotiate a contract
Tourism: (a) Tourism; (b) Vacation (holiday); (c) Visit friends or relatives; (d) Medical treatment; (e) Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations; (f) Participation by amateurs in musical, sports or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participation; (g) enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example a two day cooking class while on vacation); (h) Participation in cultural or religious exchanges.
Prohibited Activities: The following are examples of prohibited activities while in American Samoa on the EPWP.
Study, for credit
Employment
Work as a foreign press, radio, film, journalist, or other information media
Apply for residency in American Samoa
Apply for extension of stay in American Samoa, except in emergency situations.
Travelers and crew arriving on cruise ships visiting for one day (less than 24 hours) do not need an entry permit as a TRANSIT PERMIT (for visitors staying less than 24 hours) is automatically issued.
All other travelers whose passprts are not listed under the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program list must obtain a Entry Permit by contacting the Attorney General's Office on the above email address.
For any questions regarding the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program contact the Office of the Attorney General, Phone +1 (684) 633-4163 or +1 (684) 633-4164 or Email okboard@la.as.gov.
How to get here
Three international airlines fly to American Samoa from Hawaii, USA, Samoa and Tonga. Hawaiian Airlines operates bi-weekly flights from Honolulu to Pago Pago, while both Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways operate daily services from Apia, Samoa. Talofa Airways also offers a twice a week service from Tonga to American Samoa. All airlines offer additional flights during the peak holiday travel times of the year June - August and December - January. For further information and flight schedules visit the respective airline websites. A ferry service is operated between Samoa and American Samoa once a week by the Samoa Shipping Corporation in Apia, Samoa.
Airports
Pago Pago International Airport (PPG) on Tutuila Island is you main arrival point in American Samoa. Two other airports are found in the Manu'a Islands, Fitiuta Airport (FTI) on Ta'u Island and Ofu Airport (OFU) on Ofu Island.
Duty Free Allowance
All travelers entering American Samoa may bring in 1 x bottle of alcohol (including wine), 1 x carton of cigarettes and 1 x case of beer. Any traveler with amounts over these limits will be charged a percentage of duty by Customs.
Currency
The United States Dollar is the currency used in American Samoa. Notes: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. Coins: 1c, 5c, 10c, 25c. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at the money exchange at the airport, Western Union retailers and the ANZ Bank.
Banks and ATMs
There is one major bank on island the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS). The TBAS branches are located in Utulei and Tafuna and open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 4:00pm. TBAS ATMs are located all around the island of Tutuila.
What's the weather forecast?
American Samoa has a tropical climate all year round with two distinct seasons, the west and dry season. The wet season is usually between November and March and the dry season from April to October. Average daily temperature ranges from 84 degrees - 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 29 degrees - 30 degrees Celsius.
What to wear?
Light cotton summer clothing is recommended all year round. Swimwear is appropriate for the beaches but when going into the villages please cover up or put on a t-shirt, shorts or wear a lavalava (sarong). If going to church on Sunday, slacks and short for men and a nice dress or blouse and skirt for women. If you are not sure just ask someone.
Time zone
American Samoa is 11 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time UTC -11. For example if its 9:00am Monday in New Zealand, then its 10:00am Sunday in American Samoa.
Electrical Power
110 volts using American power points.
Language
Samoan and English are spoken by over 95 percent of the population, with English being the main business language.
Commercial hours
Retail stores and Government offices are open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm with some bigger stores closing late. Stores open on Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm and the majority of retailers are closed on Sunday.
Post Office
The United States Post Office is located in Fagatogo and is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm. On Thursdays it closes at 4:00pm and is open on Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm.
Public Holidays
January 1st - New Year's Day
January 16th - Martin Luther King Day
February 18th - President's Day
April 17th - American Samoa Flag Day
May 28th - Memorial Day
July 4th - Independence Day
July 16th - Manu'a Cession Day
September 3rd - Labor Day
October 8th - Columbus Day
November 12th - Veteran's Day
November 22nd - Thanksgiving Day
December 25th - Christmas Day
Information Center
The American Samoa Visitors Bureau is located on the Ground Floor, Fagatogo Square Building, Route 001, Fagatogo. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm. The Bureau is closed weekends and on Public Holidays. The office will also be closed during cruise ship visit days.