Locals and Peace Corps volunteer alike are struggling with the new American polisy that requires Samoans seeking visas to the U.S. to visit the embassy in Auckand, New Zealand or Suva, Fiji for paperwork, instead of completeing the application here in Samoa.

Apparently the reason for the change in policy is security following 9/11. I fully understand considering what a threat Samoans represent to integrity of the continental United States.

Several PCVs with Samoan significant others have had to deal with this new policy that's going to make it all but impossible to bring their boyfriends/girlfriends or husbands/wives home with them.

American policy upsets locals
by Malia Sio
16 August 2003

Local resident Avalogo Tony - who has been trying to get an American visa for his mother to travel to her cousin's wedding in Hawaii - is very unhappy.
The American Embassy in Apia is enforcing a new United States policy that became effective on 1 August.

This requires many applicants for American visas to now travel to Auckland for a personal interview with a consular officer at the American Consulate-General there.

This is despite the Americans having an embassy in Apia, which was previously able to handle most visa applications.

"The new policy is very inconvenient," he said. "We really cannot afford to pay her fare to New Zealand, when even then we will not be sure if she will get the visa or not."

He said his mother was booked to leave this week. But because of the difficulty getting a visa, the village pastor has taken his mother's wedding present on her behalf.

COMPLAINTS
He is not alone in his displeasure. Local travel agencies said yesterday they are getting many complaints about the new policy.

Patsy Annandale, of Polynesia Travel and Tours, said:

"People have been complaining and I don't blame them. Who can afford to travel to New Zealand then if the visa is not granted, fly back?"

A representative of Jane's Travel and Tours, who did not want to be named, said:

"It is just so expensive and inconvenient now for the people. It is just so complicated to travel to Hawaii or the U.S. these days."

The head of Air New Zealand operations here, Ricky McFall, said:

"The new policy has surely made it inconvenient for the general public to travel. The new travellers that do not have former American visas are really finding it hard."

Air New Zealand operates direct flights between Apia and Los Angeles.

Mr McFall added that it also means some people now also have to get a New Zealand visa, so they can go to Auckland to apply for their American visa.

He said the process is "just too costly now".

Mr McFall said that not only have Samoans been affected by these new policies, so have other Pacific Islanders.

SUVA
For example, Tongans who had previously been able to send their passports and applications to the United States embassy in Fiji now have to travel to Suva personally.

The visa policy applies to most people between the ages of 16 and 60 who are using Samoan passports who do not have American multiple entry visas. Exceptions include those who have multiple entry visas that have recently expired.

The American embassy charge d'affaires in Apia, Joe Murphy, said that it does not surprise him that this new policy has caused inconvenience to some people.

He also confirmed that those who are interviewed in Auckland are not guaranteed to be granted an immediate visa.

However, he urged people to understand that the new policies were made in light of the heightened security caused by the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on America and other threats.

"We have tried to make it a little easier for the people by asking the Consular General in Auckland to accept local people without appointments," he said.

The travel to New Zealand is an added expense, he agreed.

He also added that local Samoans can also travel to Suva, Fiji , to apply for a visa at their embassy or anywhere in the world where visas are being issued.

"However, the New Zealand office is taking in people on a walk in basis," he said. "The other countries might require an appointment first."