Samoa

Sources are mixed on whether Samoa imposes entry restrictions on people living with HIV.

UNAIDS does not report any HIV-related restrictions on entry to Samoa.

However, the US Department of State reports that some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to, and foreign residents of, Samoa. Visitors indicating they have tested HIV positive will be subject to questioning by a health professional upon entry. 

Among the entry requirements into Samoa established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all visitors should have no health problems that would pose a risk to Samoa. However, we found no evidence of a particular form or characteristics of a health certificate.

It is unclear whether Samoa imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS, Samoa requires HIV testing for work and study visas.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour lists the documentation that should be provided to apply for a Foreign Employee Employment Permit (FEEP). Among others, business and domestic work permits require ‘a medical clearance report from: 1. A Samoan medical practitioner, and/or 2. A valid medical clearance from an overseas practitioner.’ It is not clear if this would require HIV testing.

It is unclear whether Samoa imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV

According to UNAIDS, Samoa requires HIV testing for residency permits and denies these on the basis of HIV status.

According to the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, persons applying for an employment permit from three (3) months up to two (2) years in Samoa, must provide a medical clearance report from a medical practitioner. The medical clearance report must be dated no more than six (6) months. There is no clear indication if HIV testing is included in this clearance.

The Temporary Resident Permit Application Form for Extension of Stay in Samoa contains fields to self disclose any communicable disease, and requires a medial report which should include physical examination, blood tests and x-rays. Furthermore, as detailed in section 16 of the Immigration Act 2004 ‘a medical examination may include a requirement for the person to provide samples of the person’s bodily tissue or other biological material.’

The Application for Permanent Residency Permits in Samoa includes ‘health’ among the criteria to obtain the permanent residency permit.

Citizenship by Investment is the granting of citizenship status to an individual (and immediate family members) contingent upon a specified and quantifiable investment in Samoa. This scheme is administered by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour under the provisions of the Citizenship Investment Act 2016 and its Regulations 2016. It requires doctor’s reports on full medical examinations of the investor and any family members.

According to the Citizenship Act 2004 among the criteria to obtain the Citizenship by permanent residence and citizenship by marriage to a Samoan citizen the applicant should be ‘of good health and character’ among other requirements.

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Samoa. However, it is not clear whether non-nationals are able to access this treatment in the same way as nationals.

Samoa has two main hospitals (one in Apia and another on Savaii Island) and 11 rural health facilities comprising 6 rural district hospitals and 5 community health centres. 

Treatment is managed through the Communicable Disease Clinic located in TTM Hospital, Moto’otua, in Apia.

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
• Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013
• Immigration Act 2004
• Citizenship Act 2004

Migrant populations

Refugees and asylum seekers