Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the authorities have implemented measures for visitors, among other things. a. Entry restrictions. It is per. March 26, 2020 at 00:00 introduced entry and exit bans (with some exceptions). For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health.
Safety
Most trips to Samoa are made without special problems.
There is no Norwegian foreign service station on Samoa. The risk of terrorist incidents in Samoa is considered low.
There is low crime in Samoa. The country has no military force and only a small police force. Village chiefs enforce laws and regulations. Violent crime is very rare, but small thefts are increasing.
Homosexuality is illegal. It is recommended to take normal precautions.
Since 2009 there has been left-hand traffic on Samoa. Evening and nighttime driving can be dangerous due to the presence of animals along unlit roads.
Samoa is exposed to strong winds, storms, tropical cyclones and floods during the rainy season, especially from November to April. This can affect air traffic and access to water and electricity.
Samoa is located in an area with high seismic activity, but there is little danger of a severe earthquake. Samoa was hit by a tsunami in 2009 that did great damage.
Norwegian citizens staying for a shorter or longer period of time in Samoa are encouraged to register on reiseregistrering.no.
Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance.
Local emergency numbers: Ambulance 996, fire 994, police 995.
In case of crisis or emergency, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour operating center on tel. +47 23 95 00 00 or e-mail UDops@mfa.no
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegian citizens do not need a visa to enter Samoa. Upon arrival, a free 60 day visitor’s visa will be issued. For stays of more than 60 days, you must apply for an extended visa at the Immigration Office in Apia. This must be done before the visitor visa expires.
Upon arrival, you must have a valid passport, proof of further travel and proof that you have the necessary funds to pay for your stay. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the departure date.
Only passports are accepted as identification documents.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that travel documents are valid. It is recommended to check in advance if it is allowed to visit islands and beaches.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Due to the spread of the virus, the authorities from March 26 introduced a ban on entry and exit for air traffic. This also applies to ship traffic (with some exceptions). Information on the measures can be read on the official websites of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Samoa ‘s Facebook page. It is the government of Samoa who is responsible for updating the web pages.
Norwegian travelers should also keep abreast of the development of the corona virus, as well as keep up to date with guidance and instructions from the authorities in Samoa.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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Travelers to Samoa have to pay for health care and it is common to require cash payment in advance of treatment.
From October 2019 Samoa has experienced a significant outbreak of measles. Several health measures have been initiated by national authorities with the assistance of WHO and Unicef. Despite the measures implemented, the state of emergency has been declared as there is such a huge increase in health services in the country. More information about the outbreak can be found on the Public Health Institute’s website.
The infection of the zika virus and the outbreak of zika fever have been detected in Samoa. Travelers must be careful with mosquito protection. The zika virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes or by sexual transmission. The symptoms are usually mild and many infected with the zika virus do not get sick. Pregnants are advised to postpone travel to outbreaks.
More information can be found on the Institute of Public Health’s website.
There is no danger of yellow fever in Samoa, but proof of yellow fever vaccine is required if you come from a country at risk of yellow fever. Norway is not such a country. See this list for yellow fever countries.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine before entering Samoa. See here for more information.
Practical information
English and Samoa are the official languages of Samoa.
The official currency is the number, also known as the Samoan dollar. The largest credit cards are normally accepted at hotels, restaurants and in stores. ATMs can be found in Apia, Savai’l and Salelologa. Travelers checks are accepted in banks and in larger hotels.
Samoa is 11 hours ahead of Norway.
The area code for calls from Norway to Samoa is +685. The Internet domain is .ws. Internet cafes are available in Apia and in larger hotels.
Banks are open from 09:00 – 15:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 – 12:00 on Saturdays.
230 volts is standard for electrical outlets.
Tipping is not common.
You should always ask for permission before taking pictures in a village.
The temperature in Samoa averages between 24 and 30 degrees. The rainy season is counted from November to April. There is a dry season from May to October.
Public Holidays: January 1 – New Year’s Day, Good Friday, 2nd Easter Sunday, April 25 – Anzac Day (marked the following Monday if the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday), May 10 – Mother’s Day (unofficial, but some businesses hold closed half day), Pentecost Monday, June 1 – Liberation Day, August 12 – Father’s Day, second Monday in October – Lotu-a-Tamaiti, First Friday in November – Arbor Day, December 25 and 26 – Christmas.