Today, I want to talk about the pearl of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, Tonga. Tonga consists of almost 170 islands. This small country has three main island groups: Tongatapu, Ha'apai, and Vava'u, and combines a lot just in one place: unique culture, rich biodiversity, charming nature, and so on. Every year thousands of people travel to Tonga for various purposes. One of those reasons is work. Considering this, we decided to talk about a visa for Tonga. In this blog, you will find answers to most of your questions. • How to apply for Tonga visa? • Where to apply for a work visa? • What is the cost for a Tonga visa? • What is the Tonga visa policy? • Do I need a visa for Tonga? • How long does the processing time take? • What are the Tonga work visa requirements?
Tonga Visa Policy
Tonga visa free countriescan visit Tonga without undergoing any visa application process. All other nationalities must apply for a visa. Depending on the purpose of the visit and planned stay duration, you can choose one of the seven visas. They are: • Visa on Arrival. Citizens of 69 countries can get a visa for Tonga at the airport. If you plan to stay a maximum of 30 days, you will not pay any charge. • Visitor visa. It is for people who want to visit sightseeing places in the country and join tourism activities. • Student visa. Applicants from various age groups can apply for a student visa to start or continue their education in Tonga. • Employment visa. • Business visa. It is for people who want to start a business in Tonga. It can be a branch or a new company. • Assured Income visa. People who want to retire in Tonga and have a monthly income from a pension, estate, fund from an overseas source are eligible for a Tonga Assured Income visa. • Residency visa. If you want to start a new life in Tonga, a Residency visa is for you.
How to apply for Tonga Visa?
The Tonga visa application process is not complicated, but it needs attention, like all other visa procedures. You will need to finish several steps, and after that, wait for a response from the application centre. They will inform you after examining your application. Where can I apply? You can apply for a visa in visa application centres, embassies, or consulates. The organization that is responsible for visa application may vary. If you can not find any of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate. Is a Tonga work visa online available? Unfortunately, a Tonga work visa online is not possible now. You will follow the steps below: • Arranging an appointment • Collecting the documents • Paying the charge • Attending interview • Waiting for processing
Work Visa
A work visa or employment visa is for foreigners who want to work in Tonga. Even if you are from a visa-waiver country, you need permission to work. Who can apply for a visa? We can divide them into three categories: • Foreigners who want to work in the public service or private sector • Individuals who want to set up voluntary or charitable activities • The special organization that regularly brings voluntaries to Tonga (these organizations must have an agreement with the government)
Required Documents for a Work Visa
All applicants must answer the Tonga work visa requirements for a successful visa application. How will I prove my eligibility? You will provide some details and documents to prove it. After that, they will check all information and documents. It is one of the most crucial parts of the application. So, pay attention to all details and ensure that you have all the papers on the list. If there is a document that you can not provide for some reason, inform the embassy about it. Do not try to give fake ones. It will end with visa rejection. You will need the following papers. • Application form. The applicants must fully complete the work visa application form, sign, and date. • Photo. Two recently taken photos (not older than 180 days), on the white background, a frontal view of the face-covering 70-80%, with a neutral facial expression. Also, try to avoid colours matching the background. • Passport and a copy; It should have a minimum validity of six months, at least two free visa pages, and it should not be older than ten years. You will provide a copy of the main page alongside the original passport. • Copy of Identity Card. • Residence permit/visa copy. It is for applicants whose residency and citizenship are different. • Signed declaration. • Medical report. The report should not be older than six months, and the licensed doctor must sign it. • Police record. Applicants above 16 years must obtain it from their country of residence. The document should not be older than three months. Immigration Department can request a police certificate in the past five years. • Character references. Two people who have known the applicant for a long time can give the references. The paper must include their contact details. • Support letter. You will get it from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries. If you don't have a support letter from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries, Immigration Department can refuse your application. • Support letter from the Inland Revenue Department on the records of tax payment if it is renewed application. • Job offer. From one of the companies, organizations, or institutions in Tonga. • Job contract. It must include all details about the job, such as payment, duty, repatriation conditions for contract termination, etc. • Evidence of professional skills. You can provide your CV and other certificates, achievements, diplomas, etc. Candidates with strong backgrounds are luckier. • Documents to support professional skills; You can present various documents as evidence, such as formal academic qualifications, reference letters from previous companies. Furthermore, a support letter from Secretary for Labour, Commerce & Industries depending on the applicant's professional skill • Appropriate licenses or certification. • The Immigration Department may require a business license and company registration of the employer.
Visa Fee
To continue your Tonga work visa process, you will need to pay the visa fee. What is the cost for a Tonga visa? The charge for a work visa changes between 75-230 USD. The price ranges depending on the country of the applicant. I visited the country as a tourist, but I want to work; can I get a visa? Yes, applicants can change the status of their visas. However, it is more expensive than a standard work visa. The person who has such a desire will pay 504 USD.
Interview
If you are in this step, then you finished almost 70% of the Tonga work visa process. In this section, you need to persuade the questioner that you fit the worker requirements of Tonga. Having some skills, achievements in that field may help you during the application. Also, they will ask some personal questions about your life, family, and so on. Provide all information correctly and don't hide any detail. It may affect your application negatively. Finally, do not feel nervous before the interview. Try to be as relaxed as you can.
The Processing Time
We can say that the last part of the application is the simplest one because you will not do anything. The only thing is waiting. How long does it take? Depending on the country, the processing time lasts for a maximum of a month. Workload, national holidays, problems in the application system may cause an extension.
The Visa-waiver Nationalities
Do I need a visa for Tonga? Today, 31 countries are on the Tonga visa free countries list. Some of them are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, etc. These people can realize their tourism visits freely, but they still need a visa to work. They can travel to the country to look for a job and after that apply for employment. Of course, other foreigners have the same right, but they must undergo two application processes.
Tonga Work Visa Extension
Work visas for Tonga are valid for a maximum of two years, and they are renewable. In other words, a Tonga work visa extension is available. You will need to get in touch with the Immigration Department to extend a visa. Keep in mind that you should apply before the end of the validity.
High Salary Jobs
Living and working in the peaceful environment of Tonga is attractive, but there are some other issues that we need to take into consideration. The most crucial among them is the payment. How much money do people earn in Tonga for a month? Depending on the job, the monthly salary changes between 200-3560 USD. Of course, having high skills in the area means high payment. Such as in other parts of the world, most paid professions are: • Doctor • Judge • Lawyer • Bank Manager • Chief Executive Officer • Chief Financial Officer • Orthodontist • Professor
