Is the H-1B valid in American Samoa?

Not automatically. The H-1B authorizes work in specialty occupations in the United States under the terms of the sponsoring petition, but American Samoa is a special case. Unlike territories such as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, it administers its own immigration system.

In practice, this means that a visa valid for most of the United States may not, on its own, confer authorization to work or reside in American Samoa. If the worksite is there, additional procedures specific to that jurisdiction are likely required.

• American Samoa has its own immigration rules, separate from the rest of the U.S.
• The H-1B alone may not be sufficient to work in that territory.
• Working there typically requires additional steps specific to the local jurisdiction.

Because the rules vary by territory and are quite technical, the best course of action is to confirm the procedures through official channels and with a qualified professional before accepting a position in American Samoa.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.