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Permanent Resident Permit

SamoaStay, Settle or Change Status

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Programme source

Explore pathways in Samoa Read the five questions ↓

What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

The status is a Permanent Resident Permit to Samoa. Any person who considers they meet the established eligibility criteria may apply. Grants are limited by a small annual Government quota; once it is filled, unsuccessful applications go into a pool for the next quota, remain there for a maximum of 3 years and lapse if not successful in that period.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The information sheet does not say that accumulated residence by itself leads to this status; residence is one assessment factor.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Any person who considers that they are able to meet the established eligibility criteria is able to make application for a Permanent Resident Permit to Samoa.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    There is a small annual quota of Permanent Resident Permits allocated by Government and once this quota is filled unsuccessful applications will be placed in a pool for consideration in the next quota. Applications will remain in the pool for a maximum of 3 years and if not successful in that period will lapse

What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

No fixed qualifying residence period is stated. 'Period of residence in Samoa' is one of the factors taken into account in the assessment, alongside age, employment history, professional qualifications/skills, Samoan language skills, planned activity, health, character, connections with Samoa and reference reports.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The information sheet states no minimum number of years of residence and no start date for counting residence.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Assessment of application will take into account factors including: • Age of the principal applicant • Employment history • Professional qualifications/skills • Samoan language skills • Planned activity in Samoa • Period of residence in Samoa • Health • Character • Connections with Samoa • Reference reports

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm which types of residence count towards the qualifying period.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • This detail is not established in the evidence recorded here. Confirm the applicable requirement with the responsible authority.

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the absence and continuity rules for the qualifying period.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • This detail is not established in the evidence recorded here. Confirm the applicable requirement with the responsible authority.

What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

Applications are made on Form MPMC105 with original or certified copies of supporting documents and a nonrefundable fee, lodged at any of the listed offices. Fees: without a blood connection to Samoa, WST 2,000 for the principal applicant, spouse and dependants over 18 and WST 500 per dependant under 18; with a blood connection, WST 500 and WST 100 respectively. A police report is required for everyone over 18 covering each country of residence of over 1 year in the last 10 years. Particular weight is given to the economic and social benefit the applicant can bring. For permits granted for business or investment, the holder must pursue that purpose (or another activity assessed as in Samoa's interest) and the permit is conditional on continuing benefit to Samoa. Holders must remain in good health and good character and obey Samoan law; the applicant undertakes to leave Samoa if permanent residence is revoked.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No processing time, permit-document validity or renewal rule is stated.
  • Fees for lodging outside Samoa are set in local currency by the office of lodgement.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Complete the Form MPMC105, provide original or certified * copies of supporting documentation and submit the completed application together with the nonrefundable fee.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Applications should be lodged to any of the following offices, where more information can be obtained regarding Permanent Residence.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Where there is no blood connection to Samoa: • $WST2000 for principal applicant and spouse and dependents over 18 years of age • $WST500 for each dependent under 18 years of age Where there is blood connection to Samoa: • $WST500 for the principal applicant, spouse and dependents over 18 years of age • $WST100 for each dependent under 18 years of age
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    A police report is required for all persons over 18 years of age included in the application for Permanent Residents Permits. This will normally involve the provision of a report from the police in each country of residence of over 1 year in the last 10 years
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Particular consideration will be given to the economic and social benefit the applicant can provide to Samoa.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Continuous benefit to Samoa (for PR granted for business or investment cases). i) Application will pursue the business/investment purpose of which the permit was granted or such other activity as may be assessed as in the interest of Samoa. ii) Permanent residences is conditional on the activities of the holder continuing to be of benefit to Samoa.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    Continue to remain in good health, of a good character, and abide by the laws of Samoa.
  • Recorded source · mpmc.gov.ws
    I undertake to leave Samoa if my permanent residence is revoked.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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