Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Legal Affairs has officially announced a revision to the immigration bond fees for foreign nationals wishing to establish residency in American Samoa. The new fee structure is effective immediately. 

This announcement was confirmed through a detailed public notice issued by the Attorney General’s Office, which informs stakeholders of the updated fee structure.

Under the new regulations, bond fees have increased significantly, with most countries seeing their bond amounts double. For example, the bond fee for Samoa, now set at $325, has risen from $147, making it the lowest bond fee on the revised list. Following Samoa, Fiji, Nauru, and Tonga have the next-lowest bond fees in the Pacific region, although specific figures for these countries were not provided in the notice.

In contrast, approximately 30 countries will maintain their existing bond amounts. Notably, China’s immigration bond remains at $2,300, reflecting its steady position on immigration policy. In stark contrast, the highest bond fees have been assigned to Iran, Israel, and Slovenia, each exceeding $4,000, which indicates a strict immigration control framework for these nations.

In accordance with the American Samoa Code Annotated Title 41, Section 41.0207, the Department of Legal Affairs is committed to providing transparent public notice regarding changes to immigration bond rates within the U.S. Territory of American Samoa. 

The recent adjustments to these rates have been implemented to reflect the rising transportation costs in each country accurately. This decision ensures bond fees align with the current economic landscape, taking into account factors such as inflation, changes in fuel prices, and shifts in supply chain dynamics.