Citizenship · Oceania
Citizenship · OceaniaSamoa Citizenship by Investment
Citizenship after three years of permanent residence for investors who place at least WST 4 million in an approved Samoan investment.
- Investment from
- WST 4,000,000
- Processing
- To confirm
- Family
- Spouse, Children
- Stay required
- 15 days a year
Decision summary
- What do you obtain?
- Samoa Citizenship by InvestmentRoute to citizenshipCitizenship may be applied for in the three months before the permanent residence permit expires.
- What does your family invest?
- WST 4 million investment, with a minimum net worth of WST 2.5 million.
- What is additional?
- Application fee WST 120,000 and due diligence WST 20,000 each for the applicant and spouse; WST 60,000 per child under 18 (plus due diligence from age 12).
- How long does it take?
- Information pending verification
- Must you travel or live there?
- At least 15 days a year in Samoa during the three-year permanent residence period.
- What is the main drawback?
- At least 15% of the original investment must be kept during permanent residence; applicants with ties to foreign governments are reported to be barred.
- Family inclusion
- Spouse, Children · conditions apply
- Program status
- Operational
Overview
Samoa's scheme, under the Citizenship Investment Act 2015, is a two-stage route: investors first receive permanent residence and may apply for citizenship after three years.
Applicants need a minimum net worth of WST 2.5 million and an investment of at least WST 4 million in areas such as government land development, agriculture and fisheries processing, tourism, ICT or renewable energy.
Investors must spend at least 15 days a year in Samoa during the three years of permanent residence and keep at least 15% of the original sum invested.
Passport strength
128destinations without arranging a visa in advance
- Visa-free
- 95
- Visa on arrival
- 25
- eTA (online authorisation)
- 8
- Visa required (applied for online)
- 46
- Visa required
- 52
Key destinations
- Schengen areaVisa-free
- United KingdomeTA
- United StatesVisa required
- CanadaeTA
- United Arab EmiratesVisa required (applied for online)
- ChinaVisa required
- JapanVisa required
Schengen area
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
United Arab Emirates
China
JapanTravel access data as of . Entry rules change often; confirm before you travel. Compare every programme's passport
Who this program may not suit
Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:
- Your budget is below WST 4,000,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
- You cannot meet the stay rule: At least 15 days a year in Samoa during the three-year permanent residence period.
- Your current country does not allow dual citizenship, or takes yours away when you gain another. Check this before you apply.
Investment pathways
- Investment pathway
- Approved investment in Samoa, followed by three years of permanent residence, then citizenship.
- Minimum investment
- WST 4 million investment, with a minimum net worth of WST 2.5 million.
Checked against official programme sources
Family inclusion
Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Not named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule
Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.
- Eligible dependents
- Spouse and dependent children.
Checked against official programme sources
Application process
- 1The investor or an approved agent applies to the Citizenship Investment Committee with an investment plan, family records, proof of net worth, audited accounts, police clearances, medical reports and fees.
- 2The Committee considers the file only once fees are paid, a fixed deposit account is proven and the due diligence report is in; it may interview the investor and family.
- 3Before formal approval, the investor deposits at least 70% of the investment sum in a Samoan fixed deposit account; temporary permits may be issued while the application is pending.
- 4If approved, the investor receives a three-year permanent resident permit, may draw on the deposit for the investment plan but must keep at least 15%, and the Committee monitors progress.
- 5Within three months before the permit expires, the investor applies for citizenship, having spent at least 15 days a year in Samoa and followed the investment plan.
- 6The Committee reports to the Minister, who decides on citizenship; the permit can be extended if citizenship is not granted before it expires.
Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.
Investment and fees
Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.
Estimate for your family
- Investment for your family
- WST 4,000,000
- Minimum investment
- Known total so far
- WST 4,000,000
- 5 cost items not yet included
Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages
Qualifying investment
- Minimum investment
- WST 4,000,000
Government & due diligence fees
- Application fee (main applicant)
- WST 120,000
- Due diligence (main applicant)
- WST 20,000
- Estimated additional costs
- Application fee WST 120,000 and due diligence WST 20,000 each for the applicant and spouse; WST 60,000 per child under 18 (plus due diligence from age 12).
- To be confirmed
- Government fees · Due diligence fees · Investment holding period
Checked against official programme sources
Residence requirements
- Residence requirements
- At least 15 days a year in Samoa during the three-year permanent residence period.
- Renewal requirements
- Not applicable — citizenship.
- Potential route to citizenship
- Citizenship may be applied for in the three months before the permanent residence permit expires.
Checked against official programme sources
Due diligence and documentation
Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.
Considerations, limitations and risks
Important restrictions
At least 15% of the original investment must be kept during permanent residence; applicants with ties to foreign governments are reported to be barred.
- Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
- Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
- Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.
Status and authority
- Operational status
- Operational
- Official government authority
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa
- Legal basis
- Citizenship Investment Act 2015 and the Citizenship Investment Regulations 2015.
- To be confirmed
- Nationality restrictions
Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How long until I receive Samoan citizenship?
Investors first hold permanent residence for three years, spending at least 15 days a year in Samoa, and can then apply for citizenship.
What is the minimum investment for Samoa Citizenship by Investment?
WST 4 million investment, with a minimum net worth of WST 2.5 million.
Can my family be included?
Spouse and dependent children.
Is there a minimum stay requirement for Samoa Citizenship by Investment?
At least 15 days a year in Samoa during the three-year permanent residence period.
How long does the process take?
Timeframes depend on the authority and the completeness of your application. An advisor can provide current guidance.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.
Discuss Samoa with an advisor.
Share your objectives in confidence. An advisor will outline the options that may be relevant to your family and circumstances.