High commission
British High Commission Apia
Cross Island Road (100 metres off Beach Road)
Samoa visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens get a visa on arrival in Samoa, for up to 90 days.
Passport
GBR
United Kingdom
Going to
WSM
Samoa
Visa on arrival
Visitors can get a free permit after entry checks.
- Visa
- On arrival
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo.
Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
Queue at the visa-on-arrival desk before immigration in Samoa.
Ways into Samoa
Get a free visitor permit when you arrive.
Visa on arrivalVisitor permit on arrivalVisitors can get a free permit after entry checks.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Fill in the arrival card.
- Show your documents to the border officer.
- Check how many days you can stay.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months past departure
- Return or onward ticket
- Next destination visa or entry permission
- Bank statement showing enough funds
- Place to stay
- Hotel booking
- Immigration says 90 days; another official guide says under 60. Confirm before travel.
- You cannot work; entry depends on border checks.
Sources (15)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Samoa Immigration Department
- Immigration — Border services
- Immigration — Permits
- Immigration — Fees and processing times
- Immigration — Forms
- Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet — Permit Services
- Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet — Border Services
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade — Visas
- Foreign ministry — Entry requirements into Samoa
- Foreign ministry — Diplomatic Missions
- Foreign ministry — Overseas Missions
- Embassy of Samoa in Japan — Visiting Samoa
- Temporary residence application MPMC100
- Permanent residence application MPMC105
- Attorney General — Immigration Act 2020
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from United Kingdom
- Plugs IAdapter needed
- MoneyWST T
- Time+21h
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency999 police
Planning your Samoa trip
Best time to go: May to October is the dry season. The rainy season, which can bring tropical cyclones, runs from October to March. The average annual temperature is 26.5°C.
- Falealupo Rainforest PreserveThis preserve on Savaii has a short walkway through the treetops. You can also sleep in the trees.
- Lake Lanoto'o National ParkThis park on Upolu has a lake where introduced goldfish grow unusually large.
- O le Pupu Pue National ParkSee Togigoiga Waterfalls, the Ma Tree and the Coastal Lava Cliff Walk. There is a large lava field at the end of the walk.
- Waterfalls and Papase'ea Sliding RocksBoth main islands have impressive waterfalls, with some drops reaching 100 metres. At Papase'ea on Upolu, the vegetation-covered rocks allow a slide into the pool below.
Scams to watch for in Samoa
- Taxi overchargingA driver may ask for a higher fare if they think you look wealthy. Starting the ride without agreeing on a price leaves room for a dispute.
- Airport drivers claiming there are no busesTaxi drivers may tell arriving travellers that there are no local buses to encourage them to take a taxi. Local buses operate during daytime.
- Theft of belongingsBelongings are sometimes stolen. No particular theft method is identified.
About Samoa
Samoa is a Polynesian republic of two large islands and several smaller ones in the South Pacific.
- Capital
- Apia
- Money
- Samoan tālā (T)
- Languages
- English, Samoan
- Time zone
- UTC+13:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +685
Other Europe passports
Going to Samoa
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Samoa with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do british citizens need a visa for Samoa?
British citizens get a visa on arrival in Samoa, for up to 90 days.
How long can british citizens stay in Samoa?
Up to 90 days each visit with the visa on arrival rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Can I get the Samoa visa at the airport?
Yes. British citizens get the visa when they land in Samoa. Carry cash for the fee, a passport photo, your return ticket and hotel details.
Do samoan citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Samoan citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to the United Kingdom.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to Samoa?
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Samoa are easier for british citizens?
Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Kiribati Marshall Islands, and 3 more let british citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Samoa?
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo. Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
What money is used in Samoa?
Samoan tālā (T). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Samoa?
English and Samoan.
How strong is the United Kingdom passport?
It ranks #7 and reaches 155 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck