Every way into Tonga.

Citizens of Tonga's roughly 50 visa-waiver countries are granted a free Visitor's Visa on arrival, valid for an initial stay of one month (31 days); EU/EEA and Switzerland nationals (except Ireland) receive 90 days in any 180-day period, the UAE 60 days, China 30 days and Israel 90 days under bilateral waiver agreements. The visa is granted for leisure, visiting family or friends, and attending government workshops or conferences, and may be extended for up to six months in total by applying to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nuku'alofa or Neiafu. It does not authorise employment, business activity or enrolled study, and the passport must be valid for at least six months. A return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be required at the border.

Government fee

$0

Max stay

31 days

Validity

31 days

Nationals of countries not on Tonga's visa-waiver list must obtain an Entry Permit (Visitor's Visa) in advance from the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Tongan diplomatic mission before travelling. It is granted for tourism, visiting family or friends and attending workshops or conferences for an initial 31 days, extendable up to six months in total. The Tongan Embassy in Beijing charges a non-refundable application fee of USD 69 and quotes about five working days for processing. The visa does not allow work, business or enrolled study; undertaking business without prior written notice to Immigration attracts a penalty of about TOP 1,180.

Government fee

$69

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

31 days

Validity

31 days

Tonga has no separate transit-visa class published by the Immigration Division; travellers passing through Fua'amotu International Airport are admitted under the ordinary Visitor's Visa regime. Visa-waiver nationals receive the free visa on arrival (31 days, or longer for EU/EEA/UAE/China/Israel under their agreements), while non-waiver nationals must hold an Entry Permit obtained in advance even for a short stopover. A confirmed onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months are required. The category does not authorise work, business or study.

Government fee

$0

Max stay

31 days

Validity

31 days

The Business Visa is required for a non-Tongan citizen or foreign company wishing to set up or conduct business in Tonga; a Visitor's Visa holder is expressly prohibited from undertaking any business activity. The Tongan Embassy in Beijing charges USD 345, and a person who enters on a visitor's visa without prior notice and then conducts business faces a penalty of about TOP 1,150. Applicants need a letter of support from the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (formerly Labour, Commerce & Industries), a medical report, a police clearance and character references; longer engagements of two years or more additionally require a business plan, proof of financial investment and the relevant licences. Processing normally takes about one month.

• Work: Authorises the declared business activity; not general employment.

Government fee

$345

Processing time

30 days

The Student Visa is for foreign students intending to attend school in Tonga at any educational level. It is issued for up to one year and is renewable for the duration of the course. The Tongan Embassy in Beijing charges USD 57.50, and processing takes about one month. Applicants must provide a written acceptance letter from the school, proof that tuition fees are paid, evidence of financial support (a sponsor declaration or personal funds), and a conduct/grades declaration from the previous school. The embassy guidance frames it around students aged 18 and under, while tertiary students typically enter through the school's sponsorship.

• Study: Full enrolment at the admitting Tongan school or institution.

Government fee

$57.50

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

The Employment Visa authorises a non-Tongan citizen to take up paid work in the public or private sector, or voluntary and charitable work, in Tonga. The permit is employer-tied: it names both the foreign worker and the sponsoring employer, and the worker may not change employer or role without a new permit. It is normally issued for one year and renewable in further one-year periods, and the holder must register their residential address with the Immigration Division within 14 days of arrival. The Tongan Embassy in Beijing charges USD 230; employment of two years or more may require a repatriation bond of about TOP 1,000 per person where the contract lacks a repatriation clause. A Ministry of Trade/Labour support letter, medical report and police clearance are required.

• Work: Work only for the named employer and role; changing employer needs a new permit.
• Residency: Renewable yearly; long-term residents may apply for a Residency Visa. No fixed statutory years-to-PR published.
• Family: Spouse and minor children may accompany on dependent residence permits.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals establishing and running a company in Tonga use the Business Visa together with a Foreign Investment Registration Certificate. Under the Foreign Investment Act 2020, every overseas-owned business must obtain a foreign investment certificate from the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development before operating; the Minister maintains a Reserved List (activities for Tongan investors only) and a Restricted List (open to foreigners subject to conditions), with 100% foreign ownership generally allowed for unlisted activities. The certification fee is about TOP 500 (around USD 210); no single statutory minimum capital is published, though longer-stay applicants must show a business plan and proof of financial investment. Note that Tonga's Constitution forbids any sale of land to anyone: foreigners can only lease land (commonly 30-50 years, up to 99 with royal consent), never own it.

• Work: Authorises operating the registered foreign-investment business.
• Residency: Established investors may apply for a Residency Visa; no statutory minimum years published.
• Family: Family members apply for dependent residence permits.

Government fee

$345

Processing time

30 days

The Assured Income Visa is Tonga's retirement / self-funded residence route for non-Tongan passport holders who wish to retire in Tonga on a regular overseas pension or fund income. The minimum income is TOP 10,000 per year (about USD 4,347), and the visa grants residency for two years or more, renewable. The Tongan Embassy in Beijing charges USD 345. Critically, the visa does not permit the holder to work, study or start a business; overstaying carries a penalty of about TOP 1,500. Applicants provide a medical report, police clearance, character references and documentary proof of the qualifying income.

• Residency: Provides renewable long-term residence (2+ years); no statutory years-to-PR/citizenship published.
• Family: Spouse may be included as a dependent; income threshold applies per applicant.

Government fee

$345

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$362.25

Dependants of a foreign worker holding a Tongan Employment Visa or Business Visa - typically the spouse and minor children - may accompany the permit holder on a dependent residence permit. Its validity is tied to the principal permit (commonly one year, renewable). The sponsoring worker must register their and their dependants' residential address with the Immigration Division within 14 days of arrival, and show that the family can be supported. The dependent permit follows the status of the main applicant rather than conferring independent work rights.

• Study: Dependent children may attend school in Tonga.
• Family: Covers the principal worker's spouse and minor children.

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

The Residency Visa lets a foreigner live in Tonga without repeatedly applying for an entry visa. It is aimed at people with a genuine connection to Tonga: those of Tongan ancestry, former Tongan nationals, or the spouse of a Tongan citizen. Applicants must document the connection (birth certificate, marriage certificate or the spouse's Tongan passport) and show financial sponsorship covering maintenance, medical care and housing. The Tongan Embassy in Beijing charges USD 115 for applicants aged 18 and over and USD 54.50 for those under 18. Holders can reside in Tonga long-term; Tongan citizenship is governed separately by the Nationality Act.

• Work: Residency generally permits living and ordinary activity in Tonga; specific work may still require an employment permit.
• Study: Residents may study in Tonga.
• Residency: This is the long-term residence route; citizenship is governed by the Nationality Act.
• Family: Spouse of a Tongan and dependent children are core eligible categories.

Government fee

$115

Processing time

30 days