American Samoa Visitor Permit and Entry Authorization in 2026

American Samoa controls its own territorial border. A traveler should not assume that the rules for entering the continental United States automatically apply to Pago Pago. The American Samoa Government Department of Legal Affairs operates separate visitor-permit and entry-authorization processes, including a 30-day visitor permit and an Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP) for eligible passport holders.

Short-stay entry permission is not residence or work authorization. Anyone planning to take a job, join family long term, run a qualifying investment project or remain permanently should use the appropriate immigration route rather than relying on a visitor permit.

Which visitor process applies?

The current visitor portal separates travelers into categories including:

  • visitors from Samoa using the applicable short-stay process;
  • eligible travelers using the Entry Permit Waiver Program or the portal's U.S.-visa/waiver-related 30-day process; and
  • other foreign nationals seeking an ordinary 30-day visitor permit, generally through a local sponsor.

Because the category depends on nationality, passport and travel circumstances, check the live Department of Legal Affairs portal before purchasing non-refundable travel.

Ordinary 30-day visitor permit

For travelers who need the ordinary 30-day permit, the current Department of Legal Affairs information lists a $40 non-refundable permit fee. A qualifying child age four or younger is exempt from that fee, but the child still needs the required permit processing.

The current government page says applications should generally be filed 3–5 business days before travel. The broader Travel & Entry page advises submitting at least 72 hours before travel, excluding weekends and holidays. Filing earlier is sensible when supporting documents or sponsor issues could require correction.

Sponsor requirement

The ordinary visitor-permit process generally involves a local sponsor. The current service information says the sponsor must be at least 21 years old and appear in person for the application process.

A visitor sponsor is not the same thing as an employment or residency sponsor. A visitor permit remains a short-stay entry permission and should not be used to bypass P-45 employment residence or P-12 family residence.

Common supporting documents

The government visitor information currently calls for documents that can include:

  • a passport or qualifying travel document valid for at least six months beyond the expected departure;
  • round-trip or onward travel evidence;
  • sponsor documentation;
  • police, court, hospital and medical clearances where required by the service instructions; and
  • the applicable government fee.

Requirements can vary by nationality and visitor category. Use the live government checklist rather than an old third-party list.

One-time visitor extension

The current visitor-permit information allows a one-time additional 30-day extension for a published fee of $50.

An extension is discretionary immigration permission, not a conversion to residence or a work permit. A person whose real purpose is employment, family residence or another long-term basis should address the correct immigration classification instead of repeatedly relying on visitor status.

Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP)

American Samoa operates its own Entry Permit Waiver Program for eligible passport holders. It is not identical to the U.S. federal Visa Waiver Program and it still requires advance authorization.

The current government page says eligible travelers staying 30 days or less should obtain an OK Board before travel and submit the EPWP request at least three business days before arrival. The current published EPWP processing fee is $40.

Eligibility is nationality-specific and can change. Confirm the current country list directly on the Department of Legal Affairs EPWP page.

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals are not processed the same way as ordinary foreign visitors, but American Samoa still has territorial document requirements.

A.S.C.A. § 41.0502 provides that a U.S. national must present a valid passport, travel document or certified birth certificate showing status, plus either round-trip/onward transportation or proof of employment and assignment to American Samoa. The Department of Legal Affairs also operates an OK Board process for certain U.S. citizens or nationals who do not have the usual document available at boarding.

The practical lesson is that travel to American Samoa should not be treated exactly like a domestic U.S. flight.

Does a U.S. visa replace the American Samoa process?

No blanket rule says a U.S. visa replaces territorial immigration formalities. The current visitor portal has a category for certain travelers using a U.S.-visa or waiver-related process, but American Samoa retains its own entry authorization system.

Travelers should use the Department of Legal Affairs portal for their exact passport and status rather than relying only on federal U.S. visa guidance.

Visitor status is not a digital nomad visa

American Samoa does not publish a dedicated digital nomad visa or remote-worker visitor exemption. A visitor permit or EPWP authorization should not be marketed as a work-from-anywhere visa.

Territorial law separately regulates alien employment and requires prior written Immigration Board approval before an alien seeks or becomes employed, subject to specific statutory exceptions. The law and current public portal do not publish a special category for overseas remote employment or freelancing.

If you intend to work online while physically in American Samoa, obtain current written guidance from the Immigration Office on the appropriate status before working. Purpose-built remote-worker programs elsewhere are listed in /visa-types/digital-nomad-visas.

Can a visitor change to employment residence after arrival?

Do not plan on visitor entry as a shortcut. The current Department of Legal Affairs residency page says employment-based and family-based residency petitions must be completed, submitted and approved before the petitioner enters American Samoa for that residency purpose.

For local work, see the employment residence guide. For qualifying family migration, see family residence.

Processing times

The current visitor service gives a filing window of approximately 3–5 business days before travel, while the broader Travel & Entry page says at least 72 hours excluding weekends and holidays. These are filing/service instructions, not a guarantee that every application will be approved within a fixed number of days.

Do not apply those visitor timings to residence petitions, investor permits or employment approvals.

Common mistakes

  • assuming American Samoa uses the same entry rules as the mainland United States;
  • arriving without the required OK Board or permit approval;
  • confusing the U.S. Visa Waiver Program with American Samoa's EPWP;
  • treating the $40 visitor permit as residence permission;
  • working locally or remotely without confirming work authorization;
  • overlooking the sponsor requirement for the ordinary visitor permit;
  • assuming an extension creates a long-term immigration route; and
  • using the visitor filing window as a processing-time promise for other immigration categories.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a visitor stay in American Samoa?

The ordinary visitor permit and EPWP are generally built around stays of up to 30 days, subject to the exact category and approval.

How much is the 30-day visitor permit?

The current government page lists a $40 non-refundable permit fee for the ordinary 30-day permit. The EPWP also currently lists a $40 processing fee.

Can the visitor permit be extended?

The current service information provides a one-time additional 30-day extension for $50.

How early should I apply?

The current visitor page says 3–5 business days before travel; the main Travel & Entry page says at least 72 hours in advance excluding weekends and holidays.

Can I work on a visitor permit?

Do not treat visitor permission as work authorization. American Samoa separately regulates alien employment and does not publish a visitor-based digital-nomad exemption.

Related American Samoa routes

See the American Samoa immigration hub, employment residence, and family residence. Explore the Oceania hub and /visa-types directory for broader options.

Verified against current American Samoa Government travel and immigration material on 15 September 2026. This page has not been legally reviewed.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in American Samoa