Samoa, in the numbers that decide it
Ways in
- Lowest income floor of any route
- €1,071/mo
Moving with family
- Family & reunification routes
- 1
- Routes through marriage
- 1
- Healthcare system
- mixed
Day-to-day life
high confidence- Healthcare
- 40/100
- English in daily life
- high (EF EPI 71)
- Internet speed
- 18 Mbps
Tax, in practice
medium confidence- Real rate at €90k
- 11.0%
- Take-home per month at €90k
- €5,933
- VAT
- 15%
- How it is structured
- progressive
Samoa offers 8 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in the Pacific, processing times range from 1 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 6/10 and a safety score of 8/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €1,000 depending on the city. The primary language is Samoan with English friendliness rated 9/10. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Software Engineer (5.7/10), Civil Engineer (5.5/10), Accountant (5.5/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 6/10. Figures as of H2 2026 (official sources, last re-check).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship by Descent | — | — | — | 9 weeks | — | 5 years |
| Citizenship by Marriage to Samoan Citizen | — | — | — | — | — | 5 years |
| Citizenship by Permanent Residence (5 years) | — | — | — | — | 1 year | 5 years |
| Permanent Residence Entry Permit (Samoa) | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| Temporary Resident Permit (Academic/Scientific Research) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Temporary Resident Permit (Business/Investment) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Temporary Resident Permit (Cultural/Religious) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Temporary Resident Permit (Employment) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Temporary Resident Permit (Family Reunion) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Temporary Resident Permit (Study) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Cost of Living
Top Professions for Emigrating
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 5.7/10 | €2,200/mo |
| Civil Engineer (license req.) | 5.5/10 | €1,800/mo |
| Accountant | 5.5/10 | €1,600/mo |
| Nurse (license req.) | 5.2/10 | €1,500/mo |
| Teacher | 5.2/10 | €1,200/mo |
Downloadable Data
Explore More: Samoa
Official sources
Samoa
- Temporary Resident Permit (Employment) — mpmc.gov.ws — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Citizenship by Descent — data.globalcit.eu — last re-checked 2026-06-23
- Permanent Residence Entry Permit (Samoa) — mpmc.gov.ws — last re-checked 2026-06-08
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many immigration pathways does Samoa have?
Samoa: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) has 8 active immigration pathways in 2026, including ancestry, family reunion, researcher, business investor routes. Each pathway has different requirements for income, qualifications, and experience.
What is the cost of living in Samoa?
Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Apia: €1,000/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
Can I get permanent residency in Samoa?
Permanent residency may be available depending on the visa stream; specific timelines are not published for the pathways currently tracked.
What are the best professions for emigrating to Samoa?
The highest-scoring professions for Samoa are: Software Engineer, Civil Engineer, Accountant. Scores consider visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, and quality of life.
What types of visas does Samoa offer?
Samoa: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) offers the following visa categories: Ancestry: Citizenship by Descent; Family: Citizenship by Marriage to Samoan Citizen, Temporary Resident Permit (Family Reunion); Researcher: Temporary Resident Permit (Academic/Scientific Research); Business Investor: Temporary Resident Permit (Business/Investment); Religious Worker: Temporary Resident Permit (Cultural/Religious); Skilled Worker: Temporary Resident Permit (Employment).
Can I bring my family to Samoa?
Yes. 8 pathways allow family members. Options include: Citizenship by Descent, Citizenship by Marriage to Samoan Citizen, Temporary Resident Permit (Academic/Scientific Research). Spouses may also be eligible to work depending on the visa type.
Does Samoa have a digital nomad visa?
Samoa does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers typically use standard work permits or temporary residence visas.
How long does visa processing take in Samoa?
Processing times vary by pathway: Citizenship by Descent: ~180 days; Citizenship by Marriage to Samoan Citizen: ~180 days; Temporary Resident Permit (Academic/Scientific Research): ~180 days; Temporary Resident Permit (Business/Investment): ~180 days; Temporary Resident Permit (Cultural/Religious): ~180 days; Temporary Resident Permit (Employment): ~180 days. Times may vary based on application volume.
What is the quality of life like in Samoa?
Samoa scores quality of life: 6/10, safety: 8/10, healthcare: 5/10. These ratings consider healthcare access, public safety, infrastructure, and overall living standards for expatriates.
Get your personalized Samoa report
Find out which visa programmes you qualify for, what they cost, and how to apply — based on your profile.
Also Consider
Not sure which country fits your profile best?
Get Your Free Verdict →