Talifaia Faatonu, Principal Immigration Officer for Visa Operations in Samoa, has spent over 17 years dedicated to protecting the country’s borders. From her early days as a new officer in 2007 to her current middle management role, Talifaia’s journey has been shaped by her commitment to national security and continuous professional growth.
Talifaia’s career in Immigration began after she graduated with a degree in Management and Public Administration from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji in 2006. Returning to Samoa, she was given the option to choose from two roles within the public service, and she selected immigration—a decision that would shape her professional life and career pathway.
“At the time, I didn’t fully understand what the job entailed, but as I gained more experience, I realised the importance and challenges of the work. Immigration is about more than just visa operations—it’s integral to the security of Samoa,” Talifaia reflects.
Over the years, Talifaia has witnessed significant shifts in the Pacific’s immigration landscape, particularly as new risks have emerged. These include the rise in number of refugees and asylum seekers and transnational crimes; presenting challenges that were not present when she first entered the field. The evolving nature of these risks has highlighted the importance of staying ahead with up-to-date policies and legislation.
Four years ago, Talifaia played a role in the development of the Samoa Immigration Act 2020, which addresses many of these emerging threats. Her contribution was greatly enhanced by the skills she acquired in 2016 through the Postgraduate Diploma in Border Security from the University of the South Pacific (USP), made possible through the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC)’ scholarship program, in collaboration with USP and donor partners.
The Postgraduate Diploma program’s focus on policy development allowed Talifaia to understand how well-constructed policies can be used to mitigate risks and respond effectively to new challenges.
“Before the program, I had no experience in policy development, but I gained new skills in this area,” Talifaia explains. “I had the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives from Immigration officers across the Pacific, which was invaluable. It helped me understand the “why” behind many of our practices as Immigration officers, especially when viewed through a theoretical lens alongside my years of practical experience.”
In addition to her work on policy development, Talifaia’s team is responsible for managing vital functions such as the issuing of travel documents, permanent residency, and Samoan citizenship, as well as ensuring the security of Samoa’s national borders.
Through these responsibilities, Samoa Immigration continues to work closely with regional partners like PIDC and members to exchange information and stay informed on emerging risks in the region
“I learned the critical importance of staying connected, as we do through PIDC meetings and training, ensuring that immigration officers are continually updated on emerging challenges and threats. This experience emphasised the need for continuous learning, especially as some of us had been away from studying for a while. It made me realize there is still much more we need to do to protect our country—and we are capable of doing more.
Over her 17-year career, Talifaia Faatonu has witnessed significant changes in the workplace, particularly in terms of gender diversity. When she became a manager in 2014 for Visa Operations, she was the only woman in the Immigration management team, and at times, she faced challenges in having her professional opinions valued equally to those of her male counterparts.
Despite these early disadvantages, Talifaia’s resilience and determination were key to her success. She worked hard to establish herself in a male-dominated environment, continually proving the value of her contributions. Today, she is proud to see more than 30 women in the department, reflecting the gradual shift towards gender equality in her workplace.
“When I started, it was a male-dominated environment, and there were times when I had to prove myself,” Talifaia shares. “But over the years, I’ve learned that confidence, adding value, and working hard are key to earning respect amongst your peers. I want to encourage everyone, not just women – to work on your confidence and your skills in order to survive and thrive in this environment.”
Looking ahead, Talifaia plans to continue her academic journey, with plans to pursue a Master’s degree in National Security Policy at the Australian National University in 2025. She is motivated by the desire to continue growing in her field and to contribute even more to the security of Samoa and the Pacific region.
“One of the best outcomes about completing my post graduate diploma was that it made me realise that I can do more, I can go further with my studies and deepen my understanding of national security”.
