The Apia branch is one of three Immigration New Zealand (INZ) offices located in the Pacific. Our office is located on the ground floor of the New Zealand High Commission building, Beach Road, Apia, the capital of Samoa.
Apia branch employs up to 17 local staff, with seconded Branch Manager, Mr Antony Harris.
The branch looks after the whole of Samoa which consists of four islands — Upolu, Savaii, Manono, and Apolima — as well as American Samoa, a territory of the United States of America. The Apia branch maintains a close relationship with MFAT posts in the Cook Islands and Niue. (Both New Zealand High Commissions/posts each have a trained and warranted immigration officer).
Samoan citizens are entitled to the discount because of the special relationship between Samoa and New Zealand.
The branch plays an important role in both the special Treaty of Friendship relationship between the governments of Samoa and New Zealand, and in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
Apia branch liaises with the special Samoan Quota Scheme which allows 1,100 people to apply for New Zealand residence each year. The dates of the registration period are announced each year, prior to the registration opening. Current registration forms are available from the branch and on our forms page (once the registration period is announced). Completed registration forms must be mailed, to the address noted on the registration form; to arrive no later than the end date of the registration period.
The draw for the Samoan Quota Scheme is usually held in late June. Successful registrants are then notified, and may lodge residence applications with us.
October of every year is the onset of the branch's busy season. The branch advises cut-off acceptance date/s for visitor visa applications late in the year*. Visitor visa applications received after the date are not guaranteed the usual 10 working day processing time, and a ‘check back’ date of January (the following year) is likely.
*For 2007 the cut off was December; for 2008 and 2009 the cut off was November (in line with the local Australian High Commission - Immigration Division).
Immigration queries should be forwarded to apia@dol.govt.nz and not to NZHC nzhcapia@samoa.ws email/staff, as this may delay response time.
