Samoa business and investor permit

People employed and paid offshore who only visit a branch, negotiate with a Samoan company or attend a conference can use a business visitor permit instead; any other business activity in Samoa requires this temporary resident permit. Investors who later want long-term status can apply for permanent residence, where the business must continue to benefit Samoa.

Before applying, investors register with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour and obtain an investment certificate, take out a business licence from the Ministry for Revenue and obtain company registration confirmation from the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration. The immigration form asks whether an investment permit or business licence has been granted and expects a copy to be attached.

With those documents, complete the temporary residence application form MPMC100 and its section on the conduct of business. It asks how long you propose to stay, the name and address of your business partner and your own contact details in Samoa, and how much money you will have for business and personal support, with evidence such as a bank statement.

Attach the medical report (form MPMC102 for the examination and blood tests, MPMC103 for the chest X-ray) and police reports, which are needed for those over 16 and over 18 respectively who will stay a year or more. Add two recent passport photos of each person and originals or certified copies of the supporting documents.

The conduct-of-business permit costs SAT$900 for a main applicant applying off island, SAT$1,800 in country and SAT$450 per dependent spouse or child, according to the current MPMC fee table. Processing takes about 10 working days, with an optional SAT$100 urgent fee. Pay in the currency of the country where you lodge, and allow 30 days before your travel date, as the form advises.

All applications are processed by the Immigration Division in Apia. The MPMC100 information sheet lists the Immigration Division in Apia, the Samoa High Commission in Wellington, the Consulate General in Auckland, the High Commission in Canberra, the Samoa Mission to the United Nations in New York and the Embassy of Samoa in Brussels as places to lodge; applicants abroad use whichever of these is convenient, or the Apia office directly.