Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Samoa’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Samoa set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Samoan High Commission in Brussels.
\n\nTo enter Samoa, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Samoa without a visa for up to 60 days. Border officials will issue a free visitor permit or business visitor permit using your arrival card. You may need to show:
\n\nTo stay longer than 60 days, or for work, study or other reasons, apply for a Samoan entry permit.
\n\nTo enter Samoa, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Samoa guide.
\n\nIf you are flying from Samoa to American Samoa, you must pay a departure tax of 40 Samoan tala.
\n\nThere are strict regulations covering the import of firearms, plant and animal products, pets and recreational drugs. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nDeclare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 20,000 talas or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it with you.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Samoa, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nThe level of serious crime is low, and incidents of petty theft are uncommon and opportunistic.
\n\nDo not leave your belongings unattended. Use hotel safes or deposit boxes for passports and valuables.
\n\nLocal communities expect you to dress modestly when visiting towns and villages. Swimwear is acceptable on the beach or by streams and waterfalls, but anywhere else it is likely to receive negative attention.
\n\nPhone coverage in rural areas and outlying islands can be limited or non-existent. Many UK mobile phones do not work, as your provider may not have an international roaming agreement in Samoa.
\n\nYou can buy Vodafone and Digicel SIM cards at the airport and at convenience stores and supermarkets. You must register your SIM card if you buy it locally.
\n\nIt is illegal to drink alcohol in public except at bars or restaurants. The legal drinking age is 21.
\n\nPossession of illegal drugs carries a possible 14-year prison sentence.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Samoa and same-sex marriage is not recognised. Showing affection in public is likely to receive negative attention.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nSamoa’s tides can produce powerful currents in ocean lagoons. Take local advice before swimming. There have been fatal accidents at popular beaches.
\n\nMany waves break directly on to reefs and the currents can be harsh. Take local advice before surfing.
\n\nFor more advice, see water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nDive companies and tour operators may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards.
\n\nCheck that your travel insurance covers you and see if the policy has conditions – for example, using a qualified instructor.
\n\nAsk the dive operator about the safety procedures they use. If you’re not satisfied, use a different provider.
\n\nStray dogs are common in Apia and in many villages. They can become aggressive if you approach them or if they feel threatened. There have been cases of attacks by dogs. Keep your distance when cycling or walking.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Samoa, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nTo drive in Samoa, you must buy a temporary driving permit, which requires your UK driving licence. Car rental companies will help you with this. You can use the permit for up to 90 days a year. To drive for a longer period, you must get a Samoan driving licence.
\n\nThe speed limit is 40kmph in towns and villages and 56kmph outside. If you have an accident, you must report it to the police within 24 hours. When driving near villages watch for children and animals on the roads. Avoid driving at night as roads are poorly lit and any hazards make driving very dangerous.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nSamoa is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an active zone where earthquakes and tremors are a constant risk. The last major earthquake was in 2009.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake and resulting tsunamis.
\n\nThe tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to the end of April, but most rain falls from December to March. Higher rainfall inland can cause flooding. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization, the Samoa Meteorology Division or the Fiji Meteorological Service.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nyour destination can provide the healthcare you may need
\nyou have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 911 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Samoa, including:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nIf you have a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment.
\n\nMake sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n