Planning a trip to Dubai from American Samoa? This page covers the Dubai visa for American Samoa citizens and passport holders: how your passport status fits in, which visa suits your journey, what to upload, and how to apply. You can start any time on our Dubai visa application page. American Samoa is a US territory, and most people born there travel on a US passport that carries a different nationality status from a mainland US passport. It is worth understanding that before you book flights.
Do American Samoans Need a Visa for Dubai?
It depends on the passport you hold. People born in American Samoa are generally US nationals rather than US citizens, and their passports carry an endorsement saying so. UAE entry rules for American passports are written for US citizens, so a US national should confirm their own position before travelling instead of assuming the same treatment.
The simplest first step is to read the endorsement page of your passport. If you are unsure how it applies to your trip, contact our specialists on WhatsApp before you pay.
US National vs US Citizen: Why It Matters at the Border
A US national owes allegiance to the United States but does not hold full citizenship. You can carry a US passport and still be treated differently from a citizen in some countries. Independent Samoa, for example, charges American Samoans an entry fee that standard US passport holders do not pay. Rules on US national status can also change over time, so rely on the status printed in your current passport.
Dubai Visa Requirements for American Samoa Passport Holders
For the visas we process, you will need:
- A passport valid for at least six months, with at least four blank pages
- A clear scan of the full passport information page, with nothing covering any part of it
- A photo taken within the last six months, front-facing, on a plain white or light background, in JPG, JPEG or PNG format
Transit visas also need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, departing within your transit window, and a confirmed hotel booking in Dubai or the address of family or friends you are staying with. Hold or tentative bookings are not accepted, and names must match your passport. For a closer look, read our guide to the documents required for a Dubai transit visa.
Dubai Tourist Visa from American Samoa
For sightseeing, family visits or leisure, a Dubai tourist visa from American Samoa is usually the right starting point. We offer single-entry and multiple-entry options for 30 and 60 days. Choose single entry for one trip, and multiple entry if you expect to leave and re-enter the UAE during the visa period. Our guides to Dubai tourist visa requirements and the Dubai multiple-entry visa explain the differences in more detail.
Dubai Transit Visa for American Samoa Passport Holders
Journeys from American Samoa to Dubai almost always involve connections, usually through hubs such as Honolulu, with regional links via Apia. If you will have a layover in the UAE, a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa may fit. Both are single entry, must be used within 30 days of issue, and cannot be extended in Dubai. Book your onward ticket before you apply, because the application asks for it.
Dubai Visa from Pago Pago: Planning Your Departure
Most travellers leave from Pago Pago International Airport (PPG), also known as Tafuna Airport, about 11 km from central Pago Pago. Airlines and schedules on this route change from time to time, so check current carriers on the airport and airline websites before booking.
American Samoa runs its own immigration. US nationals entering the territory need a passport or certified birth certificate and an onward ticket, so keep those documents ready for your return leg. American Samoa is on UTC-11, 15 hours behind the UAE, so allow for jet lag when planning your arrival.
Living Outside American Samoa? Your Passport Matters More Than Your Address
Many American Samoans live in Hawaii, California, Washington and other US states. Your visa application is based on your passport, not on where you live. A US national living on the US mainland faces the same passport question as someone living in Pago Pago.
Dubai Visa Types and Prices for American Samoa
We offer several visa options for American Samoa passport holders. For a wider overview, see our guide to the types of Dubai visa. Prices are listed below.
| Visa Type | Price (USD) | Price (AED) | Price (American Samoa currency: US dollar) |
|---|
| 48-hour transit visa (single entry) | $117 | ≈ AED 430 | US$117 |
| 96-hour transit visa (single entry) | $127 | ≈ AED 466 | US$127 |
| 14-day business visa (single entry) | $134 | ≈ AED 492 | US$134 |
| 7-day short stay visa (single entry) | $125 | ≈ AED 459 | US$125 |
| 30-day single entry visa | $143 | ≈ AED 525 | US$143 |
| 30-day multiple entry visa | $450 | ≈ AED 1,653 | US$450 |
| 60-day single entry visa | $422 | ≈ AED 1,550 | US$422 |
| 60-day multiple entry visa | $690 | ≈ AED 2,534 | US$690 |
| 2-year freelancer visa (multiple entry, sticker visa) | $2,300 | ≈ AED 8,447 | US$2,300 |
Prices are shown as displayed on our product cards and may change. The AED amounts are indicative conversions, not charged amounts, and American Samoa uses the US dollar, so the local-currency price matches the USD price. Final price, validity and conditions are confirmed at checkout, and approval is decided by UAE immigration.
How to Apply for a Dubai Visa Online
Here is how to apply through our website, step by step:
- Visit our application page. Go to our Dubai visa application page and choose Check & Apply.
- Select your details. Choose the country on your passport and the country you are travelling from. Passport holders who already qualify for visa-free entry or visa on arrival do not need a transit visa.
- Choose a visa. Pick the option that fits your trip from the list of available visas and click Apply for This Visa.
- Complete the application form. Enter your passport details exactly as printed, your travel details, and where you will stay. If you are travelling with others on the same booking, add every traveller so the group is processed together.
- Upload documents and pay. Upload your passport scan and photo. For a transit visa, also upload your onward ticket and your hotel booking or host address. Pay securely by card; we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Fees are shown before you confirm.
- Wait for processing. The processing time is shown on each visa option. If your connection is close, see our express visa service.
- Track your application. Follow each stage on our visa status page using your application ID. Once the visa is approved we email it to you, and it is available to download from the status page. Our guide to checking your Dubai visa status explains the stages.
Our specialists are available 24/7 on WhatsApp if you need help at any stage. Dubai Transit E Visa is a licensed private travel agency, not a government body, and is not connected with GDRFA, ICP or any airline. UAE immigration alone decides the outcome of every application, and paying for a visa does not guarantee that it will be issued.
Before You Travel
Check your passport has at least six months of validity, keep a copy of your approved visa, confirm your onward travel, and make sure you understand how your US national status applies to your entry. If an application is refused, our guide on what to do after a Dubai visa rejection explains your options.
