Asia and Oceania

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
   
• Most visits to American Samoa are trouble-free. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in American Samoa in 2010.
   
• The tropical cyclone season in American Samoa normally runs from November to April.  See Natural Disasters.
   
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism  

The Department of Homeland Security is phasing out the five-level, colour-coded alerts of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). It is being replaced by the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). For all current alerts, please visit the US Department of Homeland Security website. Be aware that NTAS Alerts apply only to threats within the United States and its territories.

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

See our Terrorism Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Crime  

The level of both serious and petty crime is low. See our Victims of Crime Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel 

The tropical cyclone season from November to April can seriously affect local travel.  If you are contemplating sea journeys in particular during this period you should obtain a weather report from a marine weather website, such as from the World Meteorological Organisation at:  http://www.wmo.ch/index-en.html.

Entry Requirements - Visa Requirements

British passport holders visiting American Samoa are normally given permission to enter for up to 30 days provided they have an onward air or sea ticket and relevant health certificates

Entry Requirements – Visas

American Samoa is a US unincorporated territory therefore US visa restrictions apply.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter American Samoa. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into American Samoa.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever vaccination certificates

Yellow Fever vaccination certificates are required only if you have been in an infected area prior to arrival in American Samoa.  

Entry Requirements - Travelling when pregnant

Women in an advanced state of pregnancy should bring with them documentation from a medical professional attesting to their stage of pregnancy. The Immigration Office in American Samoa is not allowing entry to women who are six months or more pregnant.

Medical facilities are basic and therefore medical evacuation by air ambulance to Hawaii, New Zealand or Australia may be necessary.

Besides being a general nuisance, mosquitoes can transmit diseases. There is a heightened risk of Dengue in American Samoa. You should take all precautions against mosquito bites whenever possible and seek medical attention immediately if Dengue symptoms (such as fever, severe headaches and muscle or joint pains) occur.

Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.  See our HIV and AIDS page. 

Seek medical advice before travelling to American Samoa and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel Health page.

The tropical cyclone season in American Samoa normally runs from November to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates.  See our Tropical Cyclones page.

General - Insurance

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  In the event of a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment, and insurance policies should cover this eventuality. Check for any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  

General - Emergency assistance

There is no resident British diplomatic mission in American Samoa.  In the case of emergency you should contact the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles.