Talk:American Samoa

For future reference the Project:CIA World Factbook 2002 import can be found at Talk:American Samoa/CIA World Factbook 2002 import. -- (WT-en) Huttite 00:48, 2 Apr 2005 (EST)

Swains Island and Rose Atoll
I removed the internal links to these islands on the region list. Rose Atoll is not open to tourists and unless you are a bird, you can't go or sleep there. Swains is private and generally not accessible, so if you want to sleep there it will be in one of the handful of homes.JadeDragon (talk) 04:24, 30 January 2013 (UTC)

Visas
An internet search finds vastly different information on visa requirements, much of which does not matches what this page says currently (quoted below). "Visas American Samoa lies outside federal immigration and customs jurisdiction. All visitors (including US citizens) to American Samoa require a passport valid for six months or more, a return ticket or onward ticket and enough funds to support your stay. (I think this is all true)

Passports Not Requiring Visas Entry is allowed for 30 days for tourism with a valid passport and proof of onward travel or local employment. US citizens and citizens of countries under the federal Visa Waiver Program plus Palau, the Marshall Islands, and F.S. Micronesia are allowed visa-free entry. To obtain a business or residence visa or to extend your stay to 60 days, you must visit the Attorney General's office after arrival.

Passports Requiring Visas All other international passport holders intending to visit American Samoa for business or holiday are required to apply for an entry visa. To apply for a visa please contact the Attorney General’s Office, phone +1 (684) 633-4163, fax +1 (684) 633-1838 or American Samoa Immigration +1 (684) 633-4203 or +1 (684) 633-4204. At this time there is no email address or online application submission, so you have to get a hold of the Attorney General's or Immigration office by telephone or fax."

I think the first section headed Visas is correct. I believe the second section is incorrect on several accounts. Logic and various visa websites suggest UK, Australian, NZ and (sometimes) Canadians do not need a visa. Second, the US Visa Waiver Program does NOT seem to apply according to this news story on the government's site:

"Governor Togiola (American Samoa) and President Ma (Taiwan) then went on to discuss a number of issues, including the possibility of waiving entry permit requirements for Taiwanese visitors who wish to enter American Samoa. President Ma explained that over the last few years, Taiwan has acquired tourist visa waivers from more than thirty countries, including the United States. He said that many Taiwanese people are eager to travel to visit South Pacific countries like American Samoa." What seems clear is that AM sets its own rules and they are outside US Immigration. This site, quoting from Moon Guide appears to be the best researched americansamoa. southpacific .org/travel/visas.html The government site is silent on visa requirements, as far as I can see. except for this little nugget:

I found this info too: "Immigration Office: The Office of Immigration is headed by the Chief Immigration Officer with a staff of 33 employees. The Office is responsible for the administration and enforcement of immigration laws relating to admission, exclusion and deportation of aliens; it also has responsibility for the photographing and registration of aliens lawfully residing in American Samoa. Office Number(s): 1 (684) 633-4163 1 (684) 633-7504 Fax Number: 1 (684) 633-1838 Email Address: LA@as.gov "JadeDragon (talk) 05:28, 30 January 2013 (UTC)


 * I had updated the entry requirements a year or two ago and was quite certain the A.S. government had the entry requirements on some website. I couldn't find any information on an A.S. website (like visitors bureau or Legal Affairs/Attorney General). The U.S. Dept. of the Interior has information Here (scroll down to "Travel requirements"). In the linked PDF file (a scanned letter from the A.S. Attorney General regarding entry requirements), it states: "Effective immediately the following are list of countries that are not required to have an entry permit to enter American Samoa. These countries are listed under the States[sic] Department Visa Waiver Program. AHeneen (talk) 21:16, 30 January 2013 (UTC)