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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Samoa, please see Ireland.ie.

Samoa

If you’re travelling to Samoa, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information. 

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Safety and Security
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

Normal Precautions

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Samoa.

A valid passport is required for travel to Samoa. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of six months after intended date of departure. Passport cards cannot be used.

For more information on visas and passports, please see the Additional Information tab.

Visitors to Samoa are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Irish Embassy in New Zealand on social media (Twitter @IrelandinNZ and Facebook) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Samoa by dialling 911 or if calling from your mobile phone, dial +685 911.

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Samoa, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in New Zealand.  

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Safety and Security

Safety and Security

Petty Crime

Crime in Samoa is low but petty crime does occur.

We advise you to take basic precautions while travelling to Samoa:

  • Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
  • Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
  • Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places.
  • Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.

Demonstrations

Public gatherings and demonstrations may take place from time to time.

We recommend that you stay clear of demonstrations, and should follow the advice of the local authorities.

Nature and Climate

Earthquakes and volcanoes

Samoa is located in a seismically active zone, which can lead to earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunamis.

Tropical storms and Cyclones

In Samoa, strong winds can be expected from the beginning of November to the end of April, some of which can reach cyclone strength. During this time, intense rainfall and subsequent floods and landslides are to be expected.

The climate is tropical. The rainy season extends from November to April and the hot and dry seasons occurs from May to October

You are advised to monitor local and international weather updates from World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the Samoa Meteorology Division website or the Fiji Meteorological Service website.

Swimming

Tide changes can produce powerful currents in ocean lagoons. Take local advice before swimming. Fatal accidents have occurred at popular beaches. 

LGBTQI+ Travel

Samoan law criminalizes homosexuality and homosexual relations. If you are convicted, you could face imprisonment, though enforcement of the law is rare.

Road travel

Samoa switched to driving on the left in 2009, however, many vehicles still have the steering wheel on the left of the vehicle. You should take care when driving on the roads, observing speed limits.

You should avoid driving at night out of built-up areas. Vehicle safety regulations are not consistently enforced and traffic violations occur routinely.

 

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish passport holders must meet the following requirements for entry to Samoa:

  1. Have an onward (or return) ticket to a country you have a valid visa or permit to enter;
  2. Possess a passport valid for a minimum of six (6) months after the intended date of departure from Samoa;
  3. Have accommodation arrangements;
  4. Have documented evidence of sufficient funds for self-support;
  5. Have no record of deportation from other countries;
  6. Have no health problems that would pose a risk to Samoa;
  7. Have no history of criminal charges resulting in a minimum of one year sentencing; and
  8. Not appear on any alert or warning lists.

Irish nationals who meet above criteria will be issued a 90 day Visitor’s Permit upon arrival in Samoa.

Health

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for this country. We advise you to take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.

Zika Virus

There have been outbreaks of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in Central and South America, the Caribbean and other locations including Samoa. Irish Citizens especially those with a weakened immune system or women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant are advised to follow guidance available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

If you require emergency assistance from the Embassy, please contact us on +64 4 4712252. If you call outside normal working hours, you will be given instructions to call another number to speak to a Duty Officer.

You may also wish to call the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin directly at 00353-1-4082000.

Physical Address
Level 10, Technology One House
86 Victoria Street
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Postal Address
Embassy of Ireland, Wellington
PO Box 11498
Manners Street
Wellington 6142
New Zealand

Tel: + 64 4 4712252

Contact us