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Dual Citizenship: Yes Oceania

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Samoa

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Samoa Immigration Office

Embassy Finder: Samoa Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

CategoryDetails
Residency for naturalization5 years lawful residence in Samoa
Language requirementKnowledge of Samoan or English
Civics testNo formal civics test; applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship
Processing time6—12 months
Naturalization feeWST 500 (approximately USD 185)
Dual citizenshipPermitted since the Citizenship Act 2004
Citizenship by birth in SamoaYes, if at least one parent is a Samoan citizen
Citizenship by descentAvailable to persons born abroad to at least one Samoan parent
Governing lawConstitution of the Independent State of Samoa (1960); Citizenship Act 2004

Dual Citizenship

Samoa permits dual citizenship since the enactment of the Citizenship Act 2004, which replaced the more restrictive Citizenship Ordinance 1972.

Key provisions:

  • Samoan citizens who acquire a foreign citizenship do not lose their Samoan citizenship.
  • Foreign nationals who naturalize as Samoan citizens are not required to renounce their prior nationality.
  • The 2004 Act removed the automatic-loss provision that previously caused Samoans who naturalized abroad to forfeit their Samoan citizenship.

Historical context: Prior to 2004, Samoa did not permit dual citizenship. The Citizenship Ordinance 1972 mandated that Samoan citizens who voluntarily acquired another nationality lost their Samoan citizenship automatically. This was particularly impactful for the large Samoan diaspora in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The 2004 reform was driven in part by diaspora advocacy and the recognition that many Samoans living abroad maintained deep cultural, familial, and economic ties to Samoa.

Diaspora significance: The Samoan diaspora is enormous relative to the resident population. Approximately 200,000 people of Samoan descent live in New Zealand alone, compared to Samoa’s resident population of about 220,000. Another large community resides in American Samoa, Australia, and the U.S. mainland. The acceptance of dual citizenship has strengthened these ties and facilitated remittance flows, which constitute a significant portion of Samoa’s GDP (approximately 25%).

Distinction from American Samoa: American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States and is not part of the Independent State of Samoa. Persons born in American Samoa are U.S. nationals (not U.S. citizens) and may separately hold Samoan (independent) citizenship if they qualify by descent.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth

A person born in Samoa acquires citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a citizen of Samoa.

Key notes:

  • There is no unconditional jus soli. Birth on Samoan territory to non-citizen parents does not confer citizenship.
  • The citizenship of at least one parent is the determining factor.

By Descent

A person born outside Samoa acquires citizenship by descent if at least one parent is a Samoan citizen at the time of the birth.

Conditions:

  • The birth must be registered with Samoan authorities (the Immigration Office or a Samoan diplomatic mission).
  • There is no strict generational limit in the 2004 Act, but registration is essential for recognition.
  • Given the size of the diaspora, descent-based claims from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States are common.

By Adoption

A child adopted by a Samoan citizen may acquire citizenship, provided:

  • The adoption is legally recognized under Samoan law.
  • The child is a minor at the time of adoption.
  • Customary adoption (faalapotopotoga), which is deeply embedded in Samoan culture through the extended family (aiga) system, may be recognized if formalized through the courts.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Samoan citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. A foreign spouse must apply for naturalization through the standard process.

Conditions:

  • There is no formally reduced residency period for spouses in the Citizenship Act, though the Head of State may exercise discretion on the recommendation of the Minister.
  • The spouse must meet all standard naturalization requirements.
  • Under the 2004 Act, the spouse is not required to renounce prior citizenship.

By Naturalization

RequirementDetails
Lawful residence5 years in Samoa
Good characterMust be of good character
LanguageKnowledge of Samoan or English
Intent to resideMust intend to continue residing in Samoa
RenunciationNot required — dual citizenship is permitted
Oath of allegianceMust take the oath of allegiance to the Independent State of Samoa
Head of State approvalNaturalization is granted by the Head of State on recommendation of the Minister
FeeWST 500

Practical note: Naturalization in Samoa is relatively uncommon due to the small size of the economy and limited immigration. Most non-Samoans in the country are present under work permits or diplomatic status. The matai (chief) system and customary land tenure mean that even naturalized citizens may not have access to customary land, which comprises approximately 80% of all land in Samoa.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A Samoan citizen may renounce citizenship by written declaration to the Minister, provided:

  • The person holds or has been assured citizenship of another country.
  • The person will not be rendered stateless.

Involuntary Loss

Since the 2004 Act, there is no automatic loss of Samoan citizenship upon acquiring a foreign nationality. This was the single most significant change from the prior 1972 Ordinance.

Deprivation: The government may revoke citizenship obtained by naturalization if:

  • It was obtained by fraud, false representation, or concealment of material facts.
  • The person has been disloyal or disaffected toward Samoa.
  • The person has been ordinarily resident outside Samoa for a continuous period of 7 years without maintaining a genuine connection.

Citizens by birth or descent are generally protected from deprivation.

Restoration of Nationality

Former Samoan citizens who lost citizenship under the old 1972 Ordinance (by acquiring a foreign nationality before the 2004 Act came into effect) may apply for restoration.

Key details:

  • The 2004 Act included transitional provisions allowing former citizens to reclaim Samoan citizenship.
  • Application is made to the Immigration Office.
  • The applicant does not need to renounce their current foreign citizenship.
  • This restoration pathway has been used by many members of the Samoan diaspora, particularly in New Zealand.

For persons who voluntarily renounced Samoan citizenship after 2004, restoration requires a new application through the standard naturalization process.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

  • A child found in Samoa whose parents are unknown is presumed to be a citizen of Samoa.
  • The Constitution and the 2004 Act contain provisions to prevent statelessness among children born on Samoan territory.
  • Samoa is not a party to the 1954 or 1961 UN Conventions on statelessness.
  • The fa’a Samoa (Samoan way of life) and the aiga (extended family) system provide strong informal safeguards, as children are culturally absorbed into family structures regardless of formal legal status.

Document Checklist

Completed citizenship application form

Valid passport (current and previous)

Birth certificate (with certified English translation if necessary)

Evidence of 5 years lawful residence in Samoa (for naturalization)

Police clearance certificate (from Samoa and countries of prior residence)

Evidence of language proficiency (Samoan or English)

Marriage certificate (if applicable)

Two passport-sized photographs

Character references from Samoan citizens

Declaration of intent to reside in Samoa

Evidence of Samoan parentage (for descent-based claims)

Payment of prescribed fee (WST 500)

Sources

  1. Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa (1960) — Fundamental law of Samoa. http://www.paclii.org/ws/legis/consol_act/cotisows1960535/

  2. Citizenship Act 2004 — Primary legislation governing citizenship acquisition, loss, and dual nationality. http://www.paclii.org/ws/legis/

  3. Samoa Immigration Office — Official portal for citizenship and immigration services. https://www.samoaimmigration.gov.ws/

  4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Samoa — Diplomatic missions and consular services. https://www.mfat.gov.ws/

  5. Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PacLII) — Repository of Samoan legislation and case law. http://www.paclii.org/ws/

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