Samoa entry requirements for Nigeria passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Nigerian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Samoa. Show up at Faleolo International Airport (APW) near Apia, pay the fee, and receive your entry permit on the spot. As of 2026, this is the standard process for short tourist visits.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get a free 30-day visitor permit on arrival at Faleolo Airport (APW). Have a printed return ticket and proof of accommodation ready — the immigration officer will ask for both. No advance application needed. | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay | Your Nigerian passport needs at least 6 months of validity remaining from your departure date from Samoa. Airlines at Lagos and transit hubs will check this before letting you board. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for visa-on-arrival entry | Immigration at Faleolo Airport will ask to see a confirmed onward ticket out of Samoa. A flight booking to Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji works — just have the itinerary printed or on your phone. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host in Samoa ready. Immigration officers routinely ask for it during the visa-on-arrival process. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Carry a bank statement or credit card showing access to at least 1,000 WST (~$350 USD) per week of your stay. Immigration may ask to see it at the counter. | Recommended |
Cash is king at immigration
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash. Cards are rarely accepted at the immigration counter. Bring Samoan tālā, USD, or AUD — and have small denominations ready.
Passport validity counts from arrival day
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you land in Samoa, not from when you book your flight. If it's close to expiry, renew before you go.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Faleolo International Airport
After landing, follow signs to the immigration hall. There's a dedicated counter for visa on arrival. Join the queue, have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready.
2
Submit documents and pay fee
Hand over your passport and supporting documents. The officer will process your visa and tell you the fee. Pay in cash (Samoan tālā, USD, or AUD are commonly accepted).
3
Receive visa sticker and enter
The officer will affix a visa sticker into your passport and stamp it. You're then free to proceed to baggage claim and exit the airport. The whole process usually takes 10–20 minutes.
Download Samoa Entry Checklist
PDF · Nigeria Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay60 days, not extendable
Validity3 months from issue
CostFree (0 USD)
Same as visa on arrival; no paid alternative for longer stay.
Business visa
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months
CostFree (0 USD)
Requires invitation letter from Samoan company.
work visa
Work Permit
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (application fee)
For those with a job offer from a Samoan employer. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from the Ministry of Commerce.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of course, renewable
~$100 USD
For enrollment at a recognized educational institution in Samoa. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry)Visa on arrival is free for Nigerian passport holders for stays up to 60 days. | Free (0 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry, longer stay)No fee for standard tourist entry; extensions may incur costs. | Free (0 USD) |
| Stay extension feeExtensions are not available for visa-on-arrival entries. | Free (0 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are not officially published; avoid overstaying. | Free (0 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Samoa
No transit visa needed
Nigerian passport holders transiting through Samoa do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsFaleolo International Airport (APW)
Health & vaccines for Samoa
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialHepatitis BRecommended
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease; use repellent and avoid standing water.
Zika virusLow risk
Rare but present; pregnant women should take precautions.
Foodborne illnessModerate risk
Common from contaminated food or water; drink bottled water and eat thoroughly cooked food.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in Samoa; prophylaxis is not routinely recommended but consult a travel clinic.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Apia
Samoa Immigration Office
Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Apia
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Main office for visa inquiries; extensions not available for visa-on-arrival.
Practical information for NG travellers
Country basics
CapitalApia
LanguageSamoan, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 30 days.
Money
CurrencySamoan tālā (WST)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 2.69 WST
Time zone
Local timeUTC+13
vs New York+18h
vs Los Angeles+21h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
IType I (Australian/New Zealand plug with two flat pins and an earth pin)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The standard visa on arrival is typically granted for up to 30 days. Extensions are possible but not automatic — you'll need to apply at the Samoa Immigration Office in Apia before your visa expires. The extension fee is around 200 WST.
Yes, you can apply for an extension at the Samoa Immigration Office in Apia. The process takes a few days, and you'll need a valid reason (e.g., tourism, visiting family). The extension usually grants another 30 days. Cost is about 200 WST.
You will likely be denied boarding by your airline or refused entry at immigration. Samoa requires proof of onward travel. If you're unsure of your plans, book a refundable ticket or a cheap onward flight to a nearby country like Fiji or New Zealand.
Cash is strongly recommended. The immigration counter at Faleolo Airport may not have card facilities. Bring Samoan tālā, USD, or AUD. There are ATMs in Apia but not at the airport.
No mandatory vaccinations for entry, but hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus are recommended. Check with your doctor 4–6 weeks before travel. There's no yellow fever risk in Samoa.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined per day overstay (around 100 WST per day) and may be banned from re-entering Samoa for a period. Always apply for an extension before your visa expires.
No. The visa on arrival is strictly for tourism, transit, or short business visits (meetings, conferences). For paid work, you need a work permit arranged by your employer before arrival.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.