A total of 84 Samoans entered American Samoa on the seven-day permit waiver since it went into effect on 19 October this year with four of them overstaying their visitors' permit. 

Local media in the territory have reported that the issue was revealed by American Samoa's Attorney General, Fainu'ulelei Alailima Utu in response to questions from the U.S. territory's House of Representatives on the USD$3.1 million supplemental appropriations for the 2024 fiscal year.

Fainu'ulelei told the House that of the total number of Samoans who entered the territory using the seven-day permit waiver, four did not leave the territory on time, which he added was an out-standing issue with travellers from Samoa staying longer than expected. 

In relation to the permit waiver program, House Representatives Manavaalofa Manase, Tapai Alailepule, and Ape Mike Asifoa expressed their concerns about the visitors' medical and police records which were not obtained upon arrival in the territory.  

In response, Fainu'ulelei explained that the visa waiver program had been in place since 2017 under the previous administration where nationals from 45 countries are allowed into the territory without permits.  

He explained that the Immigration Office in American Samoa is working with those who hosted the four Samoan travellers to ensure that they do leave, and pointed out that there are penalties for the host and the visitor.

Last month, the Office of the American Samoa Governor issued a statement that the territory had approved a trial to allow 400 Samoan citizens per month to travel to the U.S. territory under the seven-day permit waiver. 

The statement from his office highlighted that the recent Atoa o Samoa bilateral discussions confirmed the arrangement which will now be trialled and was amongst other key achievements the territory reported from the bi-annual meeting. 

The American Samoa Attorney General, Fainuulelei Falefatu Alailima–Utu said 400 Samoan citizens are approved monthly under the entry permit waiver program. 

The 30-day permit requirement remains for Samoa passport holders travelling to the territory and intend to stay there for more than seven days. 

According to the statement, the Attorney General also reported that the Guests Workers Program is successfully operating, employing 1,355 workers though the tuna cannery company StarKist Samoa had requested more. 

The issue has been up for discussion between Samoa and the U.S. territory since the revival of the bilateral meetings between American Samoa and Samoa last year. 

Samoa is to reciprocate in kind by waiving the entry permit for nationals from American Samoa for stays of up to seven days. In order to qualify, the traveller must have a valid passport or document of identity, confirmed roundtrip ticket, confirmed hotel booking or host who is the owner of a home or lessee of an apartment, a traveller not excludable under the law, pay a USD$10 non-refundable fee, and apply three business days prior to the travel date. 

According to the notice, travellers entering American Samoa to board fishing vessels or other commercial vessels are not eligible for this special permit waiver. Travellers have to apply online at the legalaffairs.as.gov website.