Tonga visitor visa for non-waiver nationals

A non-Tongan passport holder whose country is not on the waiver list needs a letter of authority allowing travel to Tonga, and then applies on arrival for a visitor's visa. The Ministry of Revenue and Customs adds that a genuine visitor from such a country must obtain an entry permit from the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before arriving. The visitor's visa covers leisure, short stays with family and friends, government workshops and conferences, and work on government aid projects.

Nationals of waiver countries receive the visitor's visa on arrival without this step. The entry visa matters to them only if they travel on a passport of a country that is not on the list.

The Immigration Division's checklist for an entry visa asks for one recent passport photo, a fully completed application form, which must be signed by the applicant because forms signed on someone else's behalf are not considered, a concrete and substantiated reason for the visit, evidence of funds for the stay, an itinerary, evidence of visas previously granted, which Immigration may verify with the issuing authorities, and preferably a scanned copy of the passport.

The application form for a visitor's permit records your country of permanent residence, whether you hold a return ticket, the purpose, arrival and departure dates and intended address in Tonga. In the declaration you confirm that you have never been removed from Tonga or another country, have not been convicted abroad of an offence carrying two years' imprisonment or more, will support yourself and any dependants, and will report any change in your status or address. Foreign documents may be originals or certified copies issued by recognised authorities, with an English translation attached; supply copies if you want originals returned. Incomplete applications may be delayed or rejected.

Applications can be sent to the Visa and Naturalization Section of the Immigration Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 352, Nuku'alofa, telephone +676 26969, 26970 or 27821, or lodged with a Tongan embassy or consulate. The Embassy in Beijing says the visitor's visa is currently the only visa its consular section processes; it accepts packages at reception or by post with return postage, charges a USD 69 non-refundable fee and asks applicants to allow 5 working days.

Visitor's visa holders may not take up employment, business or study. A bond may be imposed where the officer is not confident the return fare can be paid, and overstaying carries a TOP 1,150 penalty fee on the Immigration Division's checklist. Under section 10 of the Immigration Act, a visitor's permit is issued when the Principal Immigration Officer is satisfied that you hold a ticket or other means of travelling on to a country you can enter. It allows a stay of at most six months, beyond which an extension is possible only in special circumstances with the consent of Cabinet. While in Tonga a visitor must not take up employment without written permission, must not marry without written consent and must provide any security in cash or otherwise that the officer demands.

Anyone refused a visitor's permit may, within 30 days of being notified, appeal by written petition to the Prime Minister, whose decision is final. A permit obtained by false representation or concealment of a material fact can be cancelled, and a person who remains after a cancellation without being otherwise authorised commits an offence.

Section 8 of the Act treats as prohibited immigrants, among others, people without a valid permit who are not exempt, people subject to a deportation or removal order, people unable to show they can support themselves and their dependants, people refusing a required medical examination, and people convicted abroad of an offence punishable by death or at least two years' imprisonment who have not been pardoned. The burden of proving that you are not a prohibited immigrant lies on you.