Definition and advisories

The Purpose Approved by the Minister Permit is a special class of Temporary Resident Permit. It is issued to foreign citizens wishing to reside in Samoa for purposes not covered by all other permit classes. Typical recipients of the Purpose Approved by the Minister Permit include:

  • persons staying in Samoa as approved volunteers as members of programs such as US Peace Corps, ABV, JICA, JOCV, AYA and AVI;
  • persons working for the following organisations: UNDP, SPREP, WHO, UNESCO and the FAO;
  • persons working for diplomats in embassies, high commissions and consulates. Note that diplomats themselves would enter Samoa under the Ministerial Permit.

Requirements

As for all Temporary Resident Permit applications, there are a number of requirements that must be satisfied before an application for a Purpose Approved by the Minister Permit will be approved. The particular requirements for each application may differ on the basis of the organisation for which an applicant travels to Samoa. Nonetheless, there are requirements that hold for all applicants, irrespective of the nature of their visit to Samoa. Most notably, an applicant must have:

  • evidence of sufficient funds for self-support (typically a copy of a bank statement); and
  • a passport valid for a minimum of six (6) months after the intended period of stay in Samoa for the principal applicant and any dependents.

Costs

Applications for the Purpose Approved by the Minister permit cost (in WST):

  • $200 for the principal applicant; and
  • $100 for each dependent.

Please note however that some organisations are exempt from paying fees for this permit. For example, volunteers entering Samoa with organisations formally recognised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are exempt from fees. Persons entering Samoa to work in embassies, high commissions and consulates are also exempt from fees under legislation. Any organisation wishing to determine the costs for this permit should contact Samoa Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (+685 21171 from 8am to 4.30pm Samoa Standard Time, Mon-Fri) for more details.

Forms

All applicants must fill out the Temporary Resident Application Form (MPMC100) (PDF document). One copy of the form should be used for both the principal applicant and all dependents. For applicants intending to stay in Samoa for one year or more a Medical Report Form (MPMC102), and a Radiology Report Form (MPMC103) must also be completed. One copy of each form must be used for each applicant (principal and dependents). Any applicant or dependent 18 years of age or older must also submit police reports from authorities of every country they have lived in for more than one (1) year in the last five (5) years.

Application checklist

Before submitting an application please review the following checklist to confirm that the application is complete. Make sure you have:

  • met all the requirements related to your application;
  • originals or certified copies of all supporting documentation required for the application;
  • a single completed Temporary Resident Application Form for yourself and any dependents;
  • a passport valid for a minimum of six (6) months after the intended period of stay in Samoa for yourself and any dependents; and
  • if necessary, funds to cover the processing cost for yourself and any dependents.

If the purpose of your residence in Samoa will involve you attending classroom and/or food preparation environments, make sure you also have:

  • a completed Medical Report Form; and
  • a completed Radiology Report Form.

If you are intending to reside in Samoa for one year or more, make sure you also have:

  • completed Medical Report Forms for yourself and any dependents 16 years of age or older;
  • completed Radiology Report Forms for yourself and any dependents 16 years of age or older; and
  • police reports for each applicant 18 years of age or older.

Submitting an application

Applications for this permit can be submitted by post to the Samoa Immigration office in Apia, Samoa or to any of the Government of Samoa overseas Missions. Postal addresses for these offices can be found on our contacts page. Applications can also be submitted in person at our office in Apia.