New Passport Fees To Be Introduced
Samoan Passports
Photo: Supplied
The Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (M.P.M.C) has announced that there will be an increase in passport fees such as the renewal and replacement of passports and adjustments.
During a press conference with the media yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) for the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo acknowledged that a $50 increase across the board will be implemented for new passports as well as renewed and replacement of damaged or lost passports.
Agafili conveyed that since the last increase in 2007 or ten years ago, the cost associated with printing Samoan passports overseas has escalated. And in 2012, a new and modernized passport was introduced to comply with requirements imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization or the I.C.A.O. Standards.
“The Government has silently absorbed the additional expenses,” said Agafili, who is also in charge of the Immigration Division.
“Through the I.C.A.O Standards, we are now able to safely say that the passport is fully secured and that we are able to travel freely to all countries using our passports."
“It now makes it a lot easier for the public to travel outside of the country and into Samoa using our passport.”
Agafili added that the new charges are in line with government policy. “It’s a government responsibility to look at the fees regularly and to review them from time to time given the circumstances,” he said.
“I also want to emphasize that the Samoan passport validity is 10 years and over the last 10 years. The penalty for a person who intentionally damages their passport will face no less than 3 years imprisonment,” concluded Agafili.