Samoa’s Minister for Commerce Industry and Labor, Leatinu’u Wayne Sooialo has questioned the New Zealand government visa application process for ordinary Samoans saying it seems an unfair process.
He told the Samoa Observer that it takes only two days for a visa on the Recognized Seasonal Employment scheme, but it takes up to 2 months for an ordinary visitor’s visa.
“This is because they issue their visa under their program (R.S.E.) because they need it.”
The fact that Samoa is also part of the Commonwealth has also got Leatinu’u riled up over what he describes as unfair visa processing turnover times. He questions whether the Samoa-New Zealand Treaty of Friendship meant anything to New Zealand.
Police Minister Faualo Harry Schuster has also expressed similar sentiments describing the visa process as “embarrassing and heartbreaking.”
He said the issue is being discussed at the Government level using the Treaty of Friendship agreement signed by both countries as a guide.
