![Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga? 🛂 [2023]](jpg/passenger-arrival-card-tonga-tray-table-mandatory-credit-to-tongapocketguide.com-feature-974x650.jpg)
![Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga? 🛂 [2023]](jpg/passenger-arrival-card-tonga-tray-table-mandatory-credit-to-tongapocketguide.com-feature.jpg "Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga? 🛂 [2024]")
A Guide to Visitor Visas for Tonga
With a reputation for being the “Friendly Islands”, it’s not surprising that entry into Tonga is incredibly easy. Nationals from around 70 countries can visit Tonga for up to one month (and some up to three months) without going through a whole visa process. It’s as simple as getting your passport stamped at the border! Admittedly, things are marginally more complicated for nationals whose country is not on the visa waiver list, where an Entry Permit needs to be acquired. Either way, in this quick guide you’ll find out whether you need a visa to visit Tonga.
For more arrival advice, see Arriving in Tonga: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process and Arrival at Nuku’alofa Airport: Step-by-Step.
Do I Need a Passport to Visit Tonga?
Yes, you do need a passport to visit Tonga. You will be required to show your passport both before boarding your flight to Tonga and on arrival in Tonga.
Tonga Tourist Visa Requirements
(Requirements for Being a Tourist in Tonga)
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you intend to leave Tonga (the date that you state on your Passenger Arrival Card)
- You need a return or onward travel ticket out of Tonga
- You have sufficient funds to maintain your stay in Tonga.
For more travel documents to prepare, check out What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Tonga?
(c) tongapocketguide.comTonga Visa Policy: Do I Need a Visa for Tonga?
Visitor visas (or tourist visas) are automatically granted upon arrival into Tonga if you are from one of the visa-exempt countries, as listed below:
Tonga Visa-Free Countries: Countries That Don’t Need a Visa to Visit Tonga
Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, China (mainland), Cook Islands (New Zealand passport), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Island, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Caledonia (French passport), New Zealand, Niue (New Zealand passport), Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Island, South Korea (Republic of Korea), Spain, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti (French passport), Tokelau (New Zealand passports), Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu and Wallis & Futuna (French passport).
For more information on the visa-exempt countries, see the Tonga Ministry of Revenue & Customs website.
How to Get the Visitor’s Visa if You are from a Visa-Exempt Country
If you have a passport from one of the above countries, then you don’t need to apply for a visa before arriving in Tonga. You will be issued a Visitor’s Visa on arrival, granted by a Customs Officer at the border.
Schengen Member Countries: Stay Up to 90 Days in Tonga
Passport holders of the Schengen member countries are permitted to stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa for up to 90 days, rather than the usual 31 days granted to other visa-exempt countries. The Schengen Member Countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
For more information about how long you can stay in Tonga, see our full guide, How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa?
![Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga? 🛂 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=ODcxOjM5Mg==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4=)
© TongaPocketGuide.comHow to Get a Visitor Visa if Not from a Visa-Exempt Country
If your passport is not from one of the visa-exempt countries stated above, then you must get a letter of authority allowing you to travel to Tonga. This is also known as an Entry Permit.
How to Get an Entry Permit to Tonga
An Entry Permit can be obtained from the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- tongapermit@gmail.com
- +676 26 969 or +676 26 970
You can also seek advice from your local Tongan consulate/embassy.
How to Get the Visitor’s Visa if You are Not from a Visa-Exempt Country
With an Entry Permit, the Visitor’s Visa is granted upon entry into Tonga by a Customs Officer. Be sure to have a copy of the Entry Permit/written letter of authority with you to be checked by Customs Officers.
![Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga? 🛂 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=ODg0OjM5Nw==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA2ODQiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjY4NCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4=)
© TongaPocketGuide.comWhat are the Conditions of the Visitor’s Visa (Tourist Visa) for Tonga?
The following conditions apply to both passport holders from a visa-exempt country and not from a visa-exempt country.
How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Tourist Visa?
The Visitor’s Visa (Tourist Visa) is valid for up to one month (31 days) from the date of entry – or up to three months (90 days) if from a Schengen member state. It is only granted if you hold a valid travel ticket to depart Tonga, your passport is valid no less than six months after your intended departure date, and if the Customs Officer is satisfied that you have sufficient funds to maintain your stay.
Can You Work in Tonga on a Tourist Visa?
It is illegal to take up any employment, business and/or education while in Tonga on a Visitor’s Visa. For alternative visas, see What Visas Are Available to Travel to Tonga.
Visitor’s Visa Extension: How to Stay Longer in Tonga
Visa extensions for up to six months are available. They are extended through contacting the Immigration Divisions in either Nuku’alofa or Neiafu. There is a fee to extend your visa. The extension must be done before your current Visitor’s Visa expires, allowing around five working days for processing.
Find out more about extending your visa in How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa?
![Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga? 🛂 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=ODk1OjM2Mw==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA2ODQiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjY4NCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4=)
© TongaPocketGuide.comFrequently Asked Questions About Tourist Visas for Tonga
Finally, what are the most common questions that people ask about tourist visas for Tonga? We go through some of them here!
How Long Can a New Zealander Stay in Tonga?
A New Zealander can stay in Tonga for up to 31 days. Visa extensions are available to stay in Tonga for a total of six months. Learn more about how to stay longer in Tonga as a New Zealander in our guide, How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa?
How Much is a Visa on Arrival in Tonga?
A visa on arrival in Tonga is free of charge for one month. There is an approximate TOP$130 charge to extend the visa for a total of six months.
Do You Need a Visa to Live in Tonga?
Yes, you need a visa to live in Tonga. There are different types of visas for living in Tonga depending on the nature of your stay, such as to study, employment, retirement, etc. Check out What Type of Visa Can You Get for Tonga: 6 Visas to explore your options.
Do I Need a Visa for Tonga from NZ?
No, New Zealand is a visa-exempt country for entering Tonga. Therefore, New Zealand passport holders are granted a Visitor Visa upon entry to Tonga.
Do You Need a Visa for Tonga from Australia?
No, Australia is a visa-exempt country for entering Tonga. Therefore, Australian passport holders are granted a Visitor Visa upon entry to Tonga.
Do I Need a Visa for Tonga from the UK?
No, the UK is a visa-exempt country for entering Tonga. Therefore, British passport holders are granted a Visitor Visa upon entry to Tonga.
More About Tonga Visas and Arrivals
That’s it for our guide on whether you need a visa to visit Tonga. Now check out more advice concerning the arrival formalities when visiting Tonga:
- Arriving in Tonga: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process
- The Duty-Free Allowances for Tonga
- What to Declare When Arriving in Tonga
Finally, check out more essential travel tips in our 31 Tips for Travelling in Tonga, as well as The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.
![What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Tonga? 📝 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTA2MTo0MzI=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgOTAwIDYwNiIgd2lkdGg9IjkwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSI2MDYiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
![Tonga Travel Tips: 31 Tips for Travelling in Tonga 🐳 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTE4ODoxNjM2-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgOTAwIDY3NCIgd2lkdGg9IjkwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSI2NzQiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)