Apia, Samoa – 26 September 2025 – Samoa Immigration marked the official handover of a newly upgraded Border Management System (BMS) and advanced equipment from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), made possible through the support of the Government of Japan.
This initiative forms part of a regional programme to strengthen border management across Pacific Island countries. In Samoa, the project focused on modernising the BMS, which is central to migration management and border operations.
The upgraded system introduces integrated passport issuance, strengthened citizenship management, and a new online visa application platform. It also features enhanced case management and alert functions, improving risk profiling and intelligence. These upgrades streamline the processing of applications and traveller movements, enabling officers to prioritise high-risk cases while ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
With growing regional security needs, the system will provide timely and accurate data for decision-making, early risk detection, and coordination during health emergencies or crises. This will strengthen Samoa’s capacity to manage borders securely while also facilitating smoother travel and trade, benefitting tourism and the 500,000 travellers who cross Samoa’s borders annually.
As part of the handover, Samoa Immigration received new workstations, passport scanners, document examination tools, uniforms, and seaport equipment. The total value of the equipment and BMS updates is WST 1,268,526, with overall project investment reaching WST 1,544,039.
At the ceremony, Fiso Jennifer Key, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, thanked the Government of Japan for its generous support and IOM for implementing the project. She noted the upgrade will improve service delivery, strengthen national security, and ensure safe and transparent border management in line with international standards.
His Excellency Mr Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Samoa and the wider Pacific region. He emphasised that the upgrade reflects the strong partnership between Samoa Immigration, IOM, and the Government of Japan, and aligns with the principles of safe and efficient migration management reaffirmed at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 20) held in Tokyo in July 2024.
Press Release provided by Samoa Immigration, Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, IOM Samoa, and the Embassy of Japan in Samoa.
