Temporary residence permit for employment
employer-sponsored
Foreigners working in Samoa need an employment permit, which falls under Samoa's temporary residence category. The employer sponsors the application on form MPMC101, and a copy goes to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, which advises whether hiring a non-citizen is in Samoa's interest. The permit is tied to the named employer. The fee is WST 900 if applying from abroad and WST 1,800 if applying in Samoa.
Life in Samoa
Money
3
Currency
Samoan Tala
WST
Samoan Tala
Cost of living
67
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–27%
Income tax (national)
VAGST 15%
Nil tax up to WST 576 a fortnight (about WST 15,000 a year); 20% then 27% on higher income.
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals with a job offer from an employer in Samoa, and their dependants.
Eligibility
Employer sponsorship
- PMC101
- is required
Employer Sponsorship form MPMC101 is required. The permit covers only the employer named in the application.
Labour Ministry advice
A copy of the application goes to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Labour, which recommends whether employing a non-citizen serves Samoa's interests.
Medical and police
Provide a medical report and a police report if you are staying 1 year or more and meet the age limits.
- Police report needed from every country lived in for more than 1 year
- Look back over the last 5 years for those countries
Official wording
A medical report for anyone over 16 staying 1 year or more; a police report for anyone over 18 staying 1 year or more, from every country lived in for more than 1 year in the last 5 years.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistApplication form MPMC100
- FeesEmployment permit - main applicant, off island
- Steps to applyThe employer completes the sponsorship form MPMC101
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 documents
- 4 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Samoa
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Work permits in other countries
- KosovoTemporary residence and work permit for employment
- South AfricaCritical Skills Work Visa (section 19(4), Immigration Act 13 of 2002)
- ZambiaEmployment Permit
- ZimbabweTemporary employment permit
- AndorraResidence and work authorisation
- United Arab EmiratesWork permit (MOHRE) and residence visa for private sector employees
