Tonga Visa Policy

Depending on your nationality, purpose, and the activities that you intend to undertake, you can apply for different types of Tonga Visas:

1. Visa on Arrival
2. Visitor visa
3. Student visa
4. Employment visa
5. Business visa
6. Assured Income visa
7. Residency visa (Temporary)

Passport holders of the below-mentioned countries can obtain Tonga Visitor Visa on Arrival:

Required Documents for Tonga Visa on Arrival

1. Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Passport

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

3. Photo

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

4. Return Ticket

5. Proof of Sufficient Funds

• For the duration of visitor’s stay in Tonga

*Additional documents may be required.

Tonga Visa on Arrival Fee

Tonga Visa on Arrival fee for up to one month is free of charge.

Note: If the visitor has overstayed his/her visa, the penalty fee of 1150 Tongan Paʻanga (504 USD) will be paid.

Where to Apply for Tonga Visa on Arrival?

You will apply for a Tonga Visa on Arrival at Fua'amotu International Airport.

You can realize your planned trip to Tonga by obtaining a Tonga Visitor visa. The reasons that you apply for a Visitor visa can be tourism or sightseeing, visiting family and friends, attending conferences, workshops, or involving governmental projects. The validity of the Tonga Visitor visa is 30 days.

Applicants who intend to set up a business in Tonga may enter the country with a Visitor visa with a letter and advise stating the business's purpose to Immigration Department. Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in a penalty fee of 1,180 Tongan Paʻanga (518 USD).

Required Documents for Tonga Visitor Visa

1.  Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Two Photos

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

3. Passport and Copy of the Main Page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

4. Copy of ID Card

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different

6. Return/Onward Ticket

• Return ticket to country of origin
• Onward ticket to the next destination (If any)

7. Sufficient Funds for Your Stay in Tonga

• Or Sponsorship Letter stating:
  • Who bears expenses of a return ticket, accommodation, meals, and other

*Additional documents may be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Tonga Visitor Visa

The average processing time for a Tonga Visitor visa is 5-14 working days. It depends on your visa application country.

Tonga Visitor Visa Fee

Tonga Visitor visa fee is 65-80 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Tonga Visitor Visa?

You will apply for a Tonga Visitor visa in Tonga visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

The foreigners can apply for a Tonga Student visa if they intend to study at the Primary, Secondary or Tertiary level and have an Acceptance Letter from Educational Institution in Tonga.

The validity of the Tonga Student visa is 1 year and renewable.

Required Documents for Tonga Student Visa

1.  Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Photo

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

3. Passport and Copy of the Main Page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

4. Copy of ID Card

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different

6. Acceptance/Admission Letter

• From Educational Institution in Tonga

7. Proof of Paid Fees for the Education Institution

8. Proof of Financial Means

       In case of Sponsor:

• Proof of Financial Support from sponsor including:
  • Maintenance
  • Medical
  • Accommodation support

       In case of Self-funding:

• Proof of Sufficient Funds
  • That the applicant is capable to take care of himself/herself

9. Signed Declaration Form

• From Principal of the previous school which obligates the School to inform Immigration Division of the following matters of import:
  • Grade report
  • Attendance Record
  • Any conduct unbecoming of the student applicant

*Additional documents may be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Tonga Student Visa

The average processing time for a Tonga Student visa usually takes a month. It depends on your visa application country.

Tonga Student Visa Fee

Tonga Student visa fee is 57.50 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Tonga Student Visa?

You will apply for a Tonga Student visa in Tonga visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

The person or a group can apply for a Tonga Employment visa if they intend to work in Tonga, either in the Public Service or Private Sector, for any length of time.

Who can apply for a Tonga Employment visa?

• A non-Tongan citizen who wants to work in Tonga either in the Public Service or Private Sector
• A group or individual intending to undertake voluntary or charitable activities in Tonga.
• However, special requirements for immigration applications to those international organizations which frequently bring volunteers to Tonga and where the Tongan Government has an official agreement, approved by Cabinet, with that organization.

Applicants who want to obtain employment in Tonga can visit the country with a Visitor visa but must advise the Tonga Immigration Department of their intention in advance and in writing. Otherwise, a fee of 1150 Tongan Paʻanga (504 USD) is to be paid.

Required Documents for Tonga Employment Visa

1.  Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Two Photos

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

3. Passport and Copy of the Main Page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

4. Copy of ID Card

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different

6. Signed Declaration

7. Medical Report

• Must be less than 6 months old
• Issued by a licensed doctor

8. Police Record Certificate

• Issued from country of residence
• For the persons who are 16 years old or above
• Must be less than 3 months old
• Immigration Department has a right to request a Police Record Certificate from the country of residence in the past 5 years.

9. Character References (2)

• From 2 individuals who know the applicant for a significant period of time
• Including contact details

10. Support Letter

• From Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries

Note: Immigration has a right not to support Employment visa application without a Support Letter from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries

11. For Renewed Applications:

• Support Letter from the Inland Revenue Department on the history of tax payment(s)

*If You Intend to Work in Tonga for up to 2 years or more:

12. Employment Offer

• From a company/Organization/Institution in Tonga

13. Employment Contract including:

• Job specification of the non-citizen applicant
• Repatriation clause for conclusion/termination of the contract by either party, which places the burden of repatriation on the employer.

14. Proof of Professional Skills of Applicant

• CV, University Degrees, Certificates, etc.

15. Proof to Support Professional Skills

• Formal academic qualifications or Reference Letters from former employers on letterhead
• Support Letter from Secretary for Labour, Commerce & Industries on whether the applicant’s professional skill is required in Tonga (labor check)

16. Relevant Licenses or Registration

• Relating to the specific profession
  • For example, Registration on the Board of Health for persons requiring to practice medicine in Tonga, etc.

17. Employer’s Business License and Company Registration (If required by Immigration Department)

• Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries may also require inspection of the business/company/organization and any information relating to the number of Tongans currently employed by the said company

*Additional documents may be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Tonga Employment Visa

The average processing time for a Tonga Employment visa usually takes a month. It depends on your visa application country.

Tonga Employment Visa Fee

Tonga Employment visa fee is 75-230 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Note: 1150 Tongan Pa’anga (504 USD) is applied to those who have overstayed their visas or wish to change their visa status from a Visitor to Employment Visa.

Where to Apply for Tonga Employment Visa?

You will apply for a Tonga Employment visa in Tonga visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Tonga Business visa is required if the person or a company wants to run or set up a business in Tonga.

Required Documents for Tonga Business Visa

1.  Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Two Photos

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

3. Passport and Copy of the Main Page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

4. Copy of ID Card

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different

6. Medical Report

• Must be less than 6 months old
• Issued by a licensed doctor

7. Police Clearance

• Must be less than 3 months old
• Issued in the country of residence
• Immigration Department has a right to request Police Record from the country of residence in the past 5 years.

8. Character References (2)

• From 2 individuals who know the applicant for a significant period of time
• Including contact details

9. Support Letter

• From Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries

10. If Renewing the Application:

• Support Letter from the Inland Revenue Department on the history of tax payment(s)

*If You are going to be Employed in Tonga for up to 2 years or more:

11. Business Plan

12. Support Letter

• From Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries, Nuku’alofa

13. Proof of Financial Investment

• Bank statements, Reference letters from bankers/creditors

14. Relevant Licenses or Registration

• Relating to the specific business
  • For example, Registration on the Board of Health for persons requiring to practice medicine in Tonga, etc.

*Additional documents may be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Tonga Business Visa

The average processing time for a Tonga Business visa usually takes a month. It depends on your visa application country.

Tonga Business Visa Fee

Tonga Business visa fee is 100-345 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Note: 1150 Tongan Pa’anga (504 USD) is applied to those who have overstayed their visas or wish to change their visa status from a Visitor to Business Visa.

Where to Apply for Tonga Business Visa?

You will apply for a Tonga Business visa in Tonga visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Persons who plan to retire in Tonga and have a regular income from a pension, property, fund from an overseas source can apply for a Tonga Assured Income visa.

Tonga Assured Income visa is valid for 2 years and renewable. If the person has overstayed his/her visa, a penalty fee of 1500 Tongan Pa’anga (658 USD) will be paid.

Required Documents for Tonga Assured Income Visa

1.  Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Two Photos

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

3. Passport and Copy of the Main Page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

4. Copy of ID Card

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different

6. Medical Report

• Must be less than 6 months old
• Issued by a licensed doctor

7. Police Clearance

• Must be less than 3 months old
• Issued in the country of residence
• Immigration Department has a right to request Police Record from the country of residence in the past 5 years.

8. Character References (2)

• From 2 individuals who know the applicant for a significant period of time
• Including contact details

9. Proof of Income

• At least 10.000 Tongan Pa’anga (4.383 USD) per annum with supporting documents

*Additional documents may be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Tonga Assured Income Visa

The average processing time for a Tonga Assured Income visa usually takes a month. It depends on your visa application country.

Tonga Assured Income Visa Fee

Tonga Assured Income visa fee is 345 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Tonga Assured Income Visa?

You will apply for a Tonga Assured Income visa in Tonga visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Any person can apply for a Tonga Residency visa if he/she wants to live in Tonga without applying for an entry visa.

Required Documents for Tonga Residency Visa

1.  Application Form

• Duly completed and signed

2. Two Photos

• The photo should be of passport format, a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
• It must be in the size of 3.5 x 4.5 colored, and the head should take 70-80% of the photo.
• You must be looking straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression (no smile and mouth closed).
• Try to avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.

3. Passport and Copy of the Main Page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date.
• It also must have at least two blank pages.

4. Copy of ID Card

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy

• If your country of residence and citizenship are different

6. Proof of Tongan Ancestry, Former Tongan or Married to a Tongan

• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Spouse’s Tongan Passport
  • However, if the applicant is under 18 years old-then a certified copy of the birth certificate and proof of parent’s Tongan ancestry

7. Proof of Financial Means

       In case of Sponsor:

• Proof of Financial Support from sponsor including:
  • Maintenance
  • Medical
  • Accommodation support

       In case of Self-funding:

• Proof of Sufficient Funds
  • That shows the applicant is capable to take care of himself/herself.

*Additional documents may be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Tonga Residency Visa

The average processing time for a Tonga Residency visa usually takes a month. It depends on your visa application country.

Tonga Residency Visa Fee

Tonga Residency visa for the applicant who is:

• Below 18 years old – 54 USD
• Above 18 years old – 115 USD

 The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Tonga Residency Visa?

You will apply for a Tonga Residency visa in Tonga visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.