Govt. review leads to passport fees climb

16 September 2017, 12:00AM

The cost for a new passport as well as renewed and passports replacements will be slightly readjusted starting 9 October 2017.

This was revealed by the Chief Executive for the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, during a press conference.

Agafili said a $50 increase across the board increase will be implemented for new passports as well as renewed and replacement of damaged or lost passports.

Since the last increase in 2007, the cost associated with printing Samoan passports overseas has escalated.  

And in 2012, a new and modernised passport was introduced to comply with requirements imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization or the I.C.A.O. Standards.

“And government have 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 that we are able to travel freely to all countries using our passports." 

“It now makes 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 policy 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 damaged their passport is not more than 3 years imprisonment term.”

16 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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