Samoan passport holders visiting the Jewish state of Israel will no longer need to obtain a visa before traveling to the Middle Eastern country.

The visa-free access for Samoan passport holders with reciprocal rights to Israeli passport holders was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting last week. Under the arrangement, Samoans traveling to Israel can get up to 60 days of visa-free access while Israeli passport holders can get 90 days visa-free access upon their arrival in Samoa.

Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa told reporters in her weekly press conference this week that there was a delay in endorsing the travel arrangements as both countries needed clarification in relation to their immigration laws and their provisions. 

"An Israeli traveling to Samoa may stay up to 90 days, we are permitted for up to 60 days of visa-free in Israel," she told reporters. 

The visa-free arrangements between the two countries have been in the pipeline since 2018, according to Samoa's Honorary Consul in Israel at the time, Galumalemana Nissan Krupsky. 

The Prime Minister says that there are also ongoing discussions with other countries in the region for easy visa access for local residents traveling to Pacific neighbours, such as Australia and New Zealand.

She also confirmed that discussions have been made during discussions with American Samoa authorities to end the permit regime and she will follow up on the request next week during the Atoa Samoa Executive Meeting in American Samoa.