Asia and Oceania

Samoa
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 20 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with a minor amendment to the Summary and the Natural Disasters section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

There is some risk to your safety in some parts of Samoa and we advise caution due to the devastating tsunami on 29 September 2009 (local time) and potential for earthquake aftershocks. We advise against all but essential travel to the south coast of Upolu until further notice. Most of Samoa, and particularly the sister island of Savaii, did not suffer damage. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for further details.
There are reports of a confirmed human case of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Samoa. 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 www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.
There is no resident British diplomatic mission in Samoa. Routine consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Wellington but in an emergency the British Honorary Consul can be contacted. See the General (Consular Representation) section of this advice for more details.
Samoa has recently implemented a policy to switch the side of the road on which vehicles travel from right-side to left-side. As many vehicles currently being driven in Samoa have steering wheels on the left (LHD) care should be taken when driving on the roads.
You should avoid driving out of built up areas at night.
Most visits to Samoa are trouble-free but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Samoa in 2008.
Samoa lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and regularly experiences seismic and volcanic activity. On 28 September 2006, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale was recorded 185 miles south west of Samoa. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for more details.
The tropical storm season in Samoa normally runs from November to April. See the Natural Disasters (Tropical Storms) section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
There is a low threat from terrorism in Samoa. 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.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and that you carry with you any specialised medication that you may routinely require during your stay. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice for more details. 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 serious crime is low, but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. You should not leave your belongings unattended and should use hotel safes for passports and valuables.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Samoa Country Profile

Local Travel

Road Travel

Samoa has recently implemented a policy to switch the side of the road on which vehicles travel from right-side to left-side. As many vehicles currently being driven in Samoa have steering wheels on the left (LHD) care should be taken when driving on the roads. Speed limits should be strictly adhered to.

Night-time driving out of built-up areas should be avoided. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and traffic violations occur routinely. Roads in Samoa often traverse small streams, and drivers should exercise extreme caution when crossing these streams.

For further information see Driving Abroad.

Swimming

Tide changes can produce powerful currents in ocean lagoons. Take local advice on safety before swimming. Fatal accidents have occurred at popular beaches when appropriate precautions have not been taken.

Local laws and customs

Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware that, despite examples of men cross-dressing and behaving in a feminine manner within the traditional Pacific culture, homosexual acts in Samoa are illegal.

There are strict regulations concerning the import of firearms, plant and animal products, pets, drugs and pornographic materials.

You are advised to check local customs and courtesies with the Samoa Tourist Authority: http://www.visitsamoa.ws.

More information can also be found on the Government of Samoa website: http://www.govt.ws

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

Entry visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days. As a visitor you must have an onward or return ticket and a valid visa for the next country of disembarkation. Requests for an extension to a visitor’s permit must be made to the local Immigration Office before the expiry date of the initial permit. Further information on entry requirements can be found on the Samoa Immigration Department's website: www.samoaimmigration.gov.ws/

A visa is required for visits of longer than 60 days. Applications for visas can be made at Samoa’s overseas missions in Brussels, Wellington, Auckland, Canberra or New York, or to the Immigration Office at the Prime Minister’s Department (PO Box L1861, Apia, Samoa).

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

Departure tax

All visitors (including children over 11 years) are required to pay a departure tax ($ST 40).

Health

Health care facilities in Samoa are adequate for routine medical treatment, but are limited in range and availability. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. In the event of a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment, and you should ensure that your insurance policy covers this. Difficulties may be experienced in obtaining some specialised prescription medicines in Samoa.

Dengue occurs in Samoa and is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccination against dengue, but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.

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 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 Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health and for food/drink hygiene see Eat and Drink.

Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Samoa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at 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 www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.

Natural disasters

Samoa is located in a seismic zone call the “Ring of Fire” and is subject to earthquakes.

There is some risk to your safety in parts of Samoa and we advise caution due to the devastating tsunami on 29 September 2009 (local time) and potential earthquake aftershocks. We advise against all but essential travel to the south coast of Upolu until further notice. Most of Samoa and particularly the sister island of Savaii, did not suffer damage.

An earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale struck Samoa on 30 September and aftershocks are possible. A tsunami was generated by the earthquake. There are reports of 129 deaths and numerous people injured in addition to localised damage mainly along the south coast of Upolu as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.

British Citizens currently in Samoa are advised to follow any advice and instructions issued by the local authorities. If aftershocks are felt we recommend monitoring local radio for advice, staying away from the sea and moving to higher ground. Emergency services in Samoa are responding to the disasters and emergency relief is being provided.

Faleolo International Airport in Samoa is currently operational. British Citizens intending to travel to or from Samoa are advised to contact their travel agent or airline direct to check on flight availability.

British Citizens in Samoa requiring assistance are advised to contact the Honorary Consul in Apia.

British Citizens currently in Samoa are encouraged to make direct contact with family and friends to allay any concerns about their wellbeing.

British Citizens with concerns for family members in Samoa are advised to try and make direct contact in the first instance. Those with ongoing concerns should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The 'ring-of-fire' is a horse-shoe-shaped zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that surrounds the basin of the Pacific Ocean. It is 40,000 kms long and is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, island arcs, and volcanic mountain ranges and/or plate movements.

It is understood that 90% of the world's earthquakes and 81% of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire which is a direct consequence of plate tectonics and the movement of collisions of crustal plates.

On 3 May 2006, an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale was recorded 95 miles off the coast of Tonga. Tsunami alerts were earlier in place for Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Hawaii. On 28 September 2006, another earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale was recorded 185 miles south west of Samoa.

Tropical Storms

The tropical storm season in Samoa runs from November to April. Flooding can occur. You should monitor local and international weather updates from World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). You can also access http://www.met.gov.fj for updates. Please also see Tropical cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a tropical storm.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. 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.

For more general information see Travel Insurance.

Consular Representation

There is no resident British diplomatic Mission in Samoa. Routine consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Wellington. In an emergency you can contact the Honorary Consul, Dr Stephen Rogers. Contact details below.

Honorary Consul
Dr Stephen Rogers
PO Box 1953, Apia

Telephone: (685) 27123
E-mail: rogerss58@yahoo.co.nz

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.

Replacing your passport

If you need a new passport, application forms can be downloaded from the Internet. You should send your completed passport application by courier to the British High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand (contact details can be found on our Travel Advice for New Zealand). Where possible, you are advised to apply at least one month before your passport is due to expire.

We advise you to keep a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport, to avoid any complications.

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Contacts

New Zealand, Wellington, British High Commission

Address:

44 Hill Street
Wellington 6011

Mailing Address:
P O Box 1812
Wellington 6140

Telephone:

(+64) (4) 924 2888 - This number is NOT for passport or visa enquiries

Visa - 0900 48472 charges apply
0800 448 972 charged to your credit card
Passport - 0044 208 082 4727 charged to your credit card
0900 990 202 charges apply

Fax:

(+64) (4) 473 4982 - Policy/Comms
(+64) (4) 924 2810 - Passports
(+64) (4) 924 2809 - Corporate Services

Office hours:

Office hours: GMT: Sun-Thurs: 2045-0500 (Personal Callers to Consular Section between 2100-0200 only)
Local time: Mon-Fri: 0845-1700 (Personal Callers to Consular Section between 0900-1400 only)

Website: http://ukinnewzealand.fco.gov.uk/en/

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