American Samoa Citizenship & Second Passport Guide
Pacific
💰 Tax System: US-based
🗺️ Pathways: 1
Overview
American Samoa is a United States unincorporated territory in the South Pacific with a legally singular status: most people born there are United States noncitizen nationals rather than U.S. citizens. That status gives holders a U.S. passport that identifies them as “United States national” and grants the right to live and work anywhere in the United States, while stopping short of full political rights such as voting in federal elections or holding certain federal elected offices. For people evaluating second-residency or second-passport options, American Samoa is not an independent citizenship program — it is effectively a territorial route to a U.S. national passport and the associated mobility and economic benefits of U.S. nationality.
There are only a very limited set of pathways that produce the “American Samoan” nationality outcome: principally birth in the territory (jus soli, with standard narrow exceptions such as children of foreign diplomats) or acquisition/derivation through parentage under U.S. nationality law where relevant. There is no investor, naturalization‑by‑residency, or economic citizenship program specific to American Samoa: merely moving to the territory as a foreign national does not create a fast track to noncitizen national status. That said, American Samoan nationals have an actionable route to full U.S. citizenship through the ordinary naturalization process administered by the U.S. government (Form N‑400 and associated requirements), and foreign nationals can pursue green cards and eventual U.S. citizenship via usual family or employment immigration channels — the same paths used elsewhere in the U.S. immigration system.
Strategically, American Samoa appeals to individuals who want a U.S. travel document and the legal right to live and work in the United States without immediately taking the step of U.S. citizenship, or to U.S.-affiliated families seeking to secure U.S. nationality for children by birth in a U.S. territory. Important caveats: the outcome is not an independent “second country” passport with a separate state; many political rights remain reserved to citizens; the territory’s infrastructure, economy and services are limited compared with the U.S. mainland; and requirements and case law around territorial nationality have been the subject of legal debate — so anyone planning strategy should work with immigration counsel and factor in realistic timelines and costs for later naturalization or U.S. immigrant visa processing.
Citizenship Pathways
US National Status
Cost: Free (at birth)
Timeline: N/A
Presence Required: Born in American Samoa
Individuals born in American Samoa are granted a unique 'non-citizen national' status of the United States, allowing them to hold a U.S. passport with an annotation. This status permits them to live and work freely within the United States without a visa.
Step-by-Step Process
Acquire U.S. noncitizen national status at birth (American Samoa birthright)
Arrange birth in American Samoa (if planning): If your strategic goal is to secure a U.S. noncitizen national passport for a child, ensure the birth occurs within the territory (hospital or birthing location). Confirm local hospital/prenatal logistics and legal entry requirements for parents travelling there.
— Variable (planning + travel time: weeks to months) — Travel and childbirth costs vary widely; typical travel $500–$3,000+ depending on origin; local hospital/medical costs depend on whether you use private providers or local services.
Obtain an official American Samoa birth certificate: Apply to the American Samoa Department of Health (or local vital records office) for the child’s certified birth certificate using hospital records and parental identification.
— 2–6 weeks (can be longer depending on paperwork) — $10–$50 for copies and administrative fees (varies)
Apply for a U.S. passport as a U.S. national: Submit a U.S. passport application at a U.S. Embassy/consulate or passport acceptance facility with the territorial birth certificate, parental IDs, photographs, and applicable forms. The passport will indicate United States nationality.
— Regular processing 6–8 weeks; expedited options often available (2–3 weeks) depending on location — Standard adult passport fee ~$130 (book) / passport card additional ~$30; minor fees and execution fees may apply.
If desired, later apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization): When eligible and if you want full citizenship rights, file Form N‑400 with USCIS and complete biometrics, interview, civics/English test, and the oath ceremony.
— USCIS processing commonly 8–18 months (varies by field office) — N‑400 filing + biometrics approx. $725; legal support additional $500–$3,500+ depending on counsel.
Foreign national → lawful permanent resident (green card) → U.S. citizenship (standard immigration path)
Qualify for an immigrant visa (family or employment): Begin with an immigrant petition (I‑130 for family, I‑140 for employment) filed by a qualifying sponsor (U.S. citizen/resident or employer). If approved, pursue consular processing or adjustment of status depending on location.
— Petition adjudication: months to years depending on category and country; immediate relatives faster (6–12 months possible), other categories longer — I‑130 fee ~$535; I‑140 fee ~$700; attorney fees commonly $1,000–$6,000+
Obtain green card (lawful permanent residence): Complete consular immigrant visa processing or file I‑485 Adjustment of Status in the U.S., attend medical exam and interviews, and receive a green card.
— 6–18 months typical after petition approval (varies by case and USCIS/consular workload) — I‑485 fee roughly $1,225 for most adult applicants (includes biometrics); medical exam $200–$500; other fees may apply
Meet continuous residence/physical presence for naturalization: As an LPR, maintain qualifying continuous residence (generally 5 years; 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) and meet physical presence thresholds before filing N‑400. Keep documentation of travel and residence.
— Typically 3–5 years depending on qualifying category — Living costs and potential legal costs for record-keeping; no USCIS charge to ‘maintain’ status beyond regular renewals
File Form N‑400 and complete naturalization: Submit N‑400 with supporting documents, attend biometrics, pass the interview and civics/English tests (with limited exceptions), and attend the oath ceremony to become a U.S. citizen.
— 8–18 months from filing to oath (varies by USCIS field office) — N‑400 fee approx. $725; attorney assistance typically $500–$3,500+; travel costs to appointments
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Right to live and work in the United States indefinitely: U.S. noncitizen nationals from American Samoa may reside and accept employment anywhere in the U.S. without immigration sponsorship.
U.S. travel document: holders receive a U.S. passport indicating United States nationality, which functions as an internationally recognized travel document and often receives the same practical visa‑free access as U.S. passports.
Path to U.S. citizenship available: noncitizen nationals may apply for full U.S. citizenship via the standard naturalization process (Form N‑400) if they choose to obtain voting rights and other citizenship privileges.
Access to many U.S. federal protections and services: as U.S. nationals you are eligible for U.S. consular protection abroad and can obtain U.S. federal benefits (subject to eligibility rules and contributions).
Clear, birth‑based acquisition rule: for parents seeking U.S. nationality for a child, birth in American Samoa is a clear and direct mechanism (subject to narrow exceptions).
No special investment or donation required: nationality-by-birth does not mandate investment; there is no costly ‘citizenship-by‑investment’ scheme to navigate.
Familiar legal and financial framework: territory law largely mirrors U.S. systems (legal standards, banking, currency in USD), simplifying financial and legal planning compared with entirely foreign jurisdictions.
Challenges
Noncitizen status: being a U.S. national is not the same as being a U.S. citizen — nationals cannot vote in federal elections, cannot hold some federal offices, and may face limits until they naturalize.
Not a fast residency/citizenship-by-investment route: foreign nationals cannot acquire territorial nationality simply by moving to American Samoa — usual U.S. immigration channels (family or employment) apply.
Limited local economy and infrastructure: American Samoa’s healthcare, higher education, specialized legal and banking services are more limited than on the U.S. mainland.
Potential ambiguity in international treatment: some countries and visa-waiver programs may take a different administrative view of a “U.S. national” passport compared with a full U.S. citizen’s passport — rare but possible complications for visa determinations.
Local political/legal uncertainty: the territory’s unique constitutional and nationality questions have been litigated historically, so policy changes or legal disputes could affect aspects of status.
Tax and benefit nuances: residency and tax rules differ from the U.S. mainland — American Samoa administers its own tax code mirroring the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and tax/residency interactions can be complex.
Requirements
Tax System
System: US-based
American Samoa has its own tax system separate from the US federal system.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am born in American Samoa, am I automatically a U.S. national?
Yes. Persons born in American Samoa (and Swains Island) are generally United States noncitizen nationals at birth. That grant of nationality is place-based (jus soli) and is subject to narrow exceptions — for example, children born to foreign diplomats accredited to the territory are not nationals. After obtaining a local birth certificate you can apply for a U.S. passport that certifies your status as a U.S. national.
Can a foreign national get U.S. nationality by moving to and living in American Samoa?
No. Residence in American Samoa by itself does not create noncitizen national status. Foreign nationals must follow standard U.S. immigration routes (family sponsorship, employment immigrant visas, refugee/asylee paths, etc.) to secure lawful permanent residence (green card) and ultimately U.S. citizenship. American Samoa has no special ‘naturalization‑by‑residence’ shortcut distinct from U.S. federal immigration law.
Do U.S. noncitizen nationals hold U.S. passports? Are they treated like U.S. citizens for travel?
Yes, U.S. nationals receive U.S. passports that indicate their nationality as “United States national.” In practical terms, many countries accept that passport for visa‑free travel the same way they do U.S. citizen passports, but administrative differences can occur; travelers should verify destination entry rules in advance. Nationals also receive U.S. consular protection abroad.
Can American Samoa nationals become full U.S. citizens? How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Yes. Noncitizen nationals may apply for U.S. citizenship through the standard naturalization process (Form N‑400). Processing times with USCIS commonly range from roughly 8 to 18 months depending on workload and where you file. The standard N‑400 filing fee is approximately $725 (this includes biometrics); legal and translation support can add several hundred to several thousand dollars.
What are the tax implications of being a U.S. national from American Samoa?
American Samoa administers its own tax system which mirrors U.S. Internal Revenue Code provisions in many respects; residents of the territory generally pay taxes to the American Samoa government rather than filing directly with the IRS for territory‑sourced income. However, U.S. nationals who live or earn income on the U.S. mainland, or who meet other federal tax filing thresholds, may have U.S. federal tax obligations. Tax residency and obligations can be complex — consult an international tax advisor.