Asia and Oceania

Samoa (American)
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 16 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (tsunami). We no longer advise against all but essential travel to American Samoa.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

There is some risk to your safety in some parts of American Samoa due to the devastating tsunami on 30 September 2009 and we advise caution. If you are in these areas, you should continue to monitor weather forecasts and follow the advice of local authorities.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
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.
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 2007.
The tropical cyclone season in American Samoa normally runs from November to April. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

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. For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

The level of both serious and petty crime is low.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

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 web site, 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.

Passport validity

American Samoa is a US unincorporated territory therefore US visa restrictions apply. You should ensure that your passport has six months’ validity remaining on it before you leave.

Yellow Fever vaccinate certificates

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

Travelling when pregnant

Women should be aware that those 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.

Health

There is a heightened risk of Dengue in American Samoa. Visitors are warned to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to seek medical treatment immediately if Dengue symptoms (such as fever, severe headaches, muscle or joint pains) occur.

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

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should 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 you should 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.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural disasters

On 30 September 2009 an earthquake triggered a tsunami which hit American Samoa causing extensive damage. For further information see: http://americansamoa.gov/index.htm

An Emergency Operation Center has been set up in Tafuna for Tsunami or Earthquake assistance, Tel: +684 699-3800.

Important Numbers for LBJ Hospital

Hotline - +684 633 1975
Information - +684 633 0921/0922

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. For further information see Tropical Cyclones.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain 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. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

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. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

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.

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Contacts

United States, Los Angeles, British Consulate-General

Address:

11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90025-6538

Telephone:

(310) 481 0031
(310) 481 2900 Visa

Fax:

(310) 481 2960
(310) 481 2961 (Visas only)

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Fri: 1630-0100

Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0830-1700

Website: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/la

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Asia and Oceania

Samoa (American)