What Visas Can You Get for Tonga?
In short, most travellers to Tonga do not require a visa to visit the country for up to one month. However, people from certain countries or coming to Tonga to study, work, conduct business, etc. will need to obtain an appropriate visa. In this guide, we’ll give you a quick overview of what visas are available to travel to Tonga.
For more information about entry into Tonga, see Arrival at Nuku’alofa Airport: Step-by-Step.
How Long Can You Stay in Tonga?
Visitors on a standard Visitor’s Visa can stay in Tonga for up to one month (31 days) from their arrival date or up to three months (90 days) if from a Schengen Member State. Visitor Visa extensions for staying a total of six months in Tonga are available for a fee. Find out more on the subject in our guide, How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa?
Those on employment, business and assured income visas can stay in Tonga for longer as stated on their visa.
(c) tongapocketguide.comVisitor’s Visa for Tonga
For most people coming to Tonga for a holiday, to travel or visit friends/family, a Visitor’s Visa is the most appropriate type of visa to travel to Tonga. For passport holders from visa-waiver countries, a Visitor’s Visa is automatically granted on arrival to Tonga, valid for one month (or three months if from a Schengen Member State). For passport holders not from a visa-waiver country, an Entry Permit must be obtained from the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before arriving in Tonga. More information, including a list of visa-waiver and Schengen countries, can be found at Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga?
Visitor Visa Extension
The Visitor’s Visa can be extended for up to six months by applying through the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Offices can be found in Nuku’alofa and Neiafu. Alternatively, apply through your local consulate. For more details on extending your Visitor’s Visa, see How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa?
Conditions of the Visitor’s Visa
The Visitor’s Visa, whether the standard one-month visa or the extended six-month visa, have conditions attached, which are as follows:
- Valid for up to one/three months* (31/90 days) or six months (visa extension) from the date of entry
- You hold an outward travel ticket from Tonga
- You have sufficient funds to financially maintain your stay
- You do not take up any employment, business and/or education while in Tonga.
* Visitor Visa only valid for three months if from a Schengen Member State.
© TongaPocketGuide.comEmployment Visa for Tonga
Non-residents of Tonga who wish to work in Tonga and have an offer from a Tonga-registered business can apply for an Employment Visa. This must be done at least one month prior to arrival in Tonga.
Employment Visa Checklist
In order to apply for an Employment Visa for Tonga, you need to have the following:
- A completed visa application form
- Two recent passport photos
- A passport valid for the period that the visa is to be issued
- A medical report approved by the Immigration Division
- A national police record from your country of residence
- A letter of support from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries
- An application fee of approximately TOP$175.
Depending on what type of employment you are going to be in Tonga for, the following may also be needed to apply for the Tonga Employment Visa:
- An offer of employment from a registered company in Tonga
- Employment contract
- Evidence of professional skills of applicants
- Relevant licences/registration required by any other law in Tonga relating to the specific profession
- The employer’s business license and company registration.
© TongaPocketGuide.comBusiness Visa for Tonga
Business Visas are available for non-resident foreign investors to reside in Tonga. Those wishing to live in Tonga for business need to submit the following:
Business Visa Checklist
In order to apply for a Business Visa for Tonga, you need to have the following:
- A completed visa application form
- Two recent passport photos
- A passport valid for the period that the visa is to be issued
- A medical report approved by the Immigration Division
- A national police record from your country of residence
- Two character references from two individuals
- A letter of support from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries
- An application fee of approximately TOP$230.
(c) tongapocketguide.comStudent Visa for Tonga
Those wishing to stay in Tonga to study must have a Student Visa. Student Visas are valid for up to one year. Students must be aged 18 or over.
Student Visa Checklist
In order to apply for a Student Visa for Tonga, you need to have the following:
- Written evidence from the academic institution accepting the applicant
- Evidence that all applicable tuition fees have been paid
- Evidence of grants or scholarships, if applicable
- Evidence from a sponsor declaring financial support for the applicant to maintain themselves while in Tonga
- A signed declaration from the applicant’s previous school’s principal to inform grade report, attendance record and any conduct unbecoming of the applicant
- An application fee of approximately TOP$135.
(c) tongapocketguide.comAssured Income Visa for Tonga
For those wishing to retire in Tonga and have a regular income/funding from an overseas source, you may be eligible for an Assured Income Visa, which grants residency in Tonga.
Assured Income Visa Checklist
In order to apply for an Assured Income Visa for Tonga, you need to have the following:
- A completed visa application form
- Two recent passport photos
- A passport valid for the period that the visa is to be issued
- A medical report approved by the Immigration Division
- A national police record from your country of residence
- Two character references from two individuals
- Evidence of an income of at least TOP$10,000 per annum
- An application fee of approximately TOP$800.
© TongaPocketGuide.comResidency Visa for Tonga
If you have Tongan ancestry, are a former Tongan or are married to a Tongan, then you may be eligible for a Residency Visa.
Residency Visa Checklist
In order to apply for a Residency Visa for Tonga, you need to have the following:
- A completed visa application form
- Two recent passport photos
- Evidence of Tongan ancestry, a former Tongan or married to a Tongan
- Evidence from a sponsor declaring financial support to maintain your stay
- An application fee of approximately TOP$270 if 18 years or over or around TOP$130 if under 18 years old.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore Information on Tonga’s Visas
If you want to apply or learn more about the visas available in Tonga, contact the Immigration Division in Tonga at the following:
- tongapermit@gmail.com
- +676 26 969 or +676 26 970
Alternatively, contact your local Tonga consulate or consular sections at the Embassy/High Commission.
More on What Visas are Available to Travel to Tonga
That’s it for the guide to what visas are available to travel to Tonga. For more about visas and the formalities of arriving in Tonga, take a look at the following:
- Tonga Tourist Visa: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tonga?
- How Long Can You Stay in Tonga on a Visitor Visa?
- What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Tonga?
Finally, get even more advice in our 31 Tips for Travelling in Tonga.
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