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International Travel > Learn About Your Destination > Tonga International Travel Information
Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.
Exercise normal precautions in Tonga. Read the Country Information page.
If you decide to travel to Tonga:
Six months
One page required for entry stamp
Not required for stays up to 31 days
None
Tongan Pa’anga (TOP) $10,000
Maximum remittance of TOP $10,000 via bank/financial institution. Approval required for higher amounts
158 Princes Rd, Tamavua
Suva, Fiji Islands
Telephone: +(679) 331-4466
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(679) 772-8049
Fax: +(679) 330-2267
SuvaACS@state.gov
To enter Tonga, you need:
For further information about entry requirements, particularly if you plan to enter by sea, you may wish to contact the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations located at 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022, telephone +1-917-369-1024 and +1-917-369-1025. Tonga also has a Consulate General of Tonga at 1350 Bayshore Highway Suite 610, Burlingame, California 940140; telephone +1-650-685-1001; fax: +1-650-685-1003.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Tonga.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.
Public Safety: Alerts regarding demonstrations and strikes, explosive device/suspicious packages, and weather-related events are posted on the embassy’s website.
Crime: Although Tonga has a low crime rate, house break-ins and property theft do occur. Though rare, sexual assaults against foreigners have occurred, including on public beaches. You should avoid going out alone at night or to isolated locations. You should not be complacent regarding your personal safety or the protection of your valuables.
See our website and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault and other crimes are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.
Report crimes to the local police at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(679) 331-4466, or after hours at (679) 772-8049.
Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
For further information:
Tonga Police work with various NGOs such as the Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) Tonga (telephone: 0800444) to provide shelter and counseling for abused women, girls, and boys who are under the age of 14. The Women and Children Crisis Center also has partner organizations, including the Tonga Life Line (operated by the Free Wesleyan Church), the Salvation Army, the Police Domestic Violence Unit, Ministry of Health, Tonga National Youth Congress, Ma’a Fanine mo e Famili, and Tonga Leiti Association. All offer counseling and rehabilitation programs.
Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.
Customs: Tonga’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Tonga of items such as firearms, explosives, motor vehicles, eggs, and certain types of alcohol. It is advisable to contact the Tongan Embassy in New York or the Consulate General of Tonga in Burlingame, CA for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Cyclone Season: The official cyclone season is November through April. The Fiji Meteorological Service maintains a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Nadi serving the Southwest Pacific Region. The Tonga Meteorological Society is another good source for information. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the Department of State as well as from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website.
Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:
LGBTQI+ Travelers: Under Tongan law, “sodomy with another person” is a crime, with a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment.
See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance. There are no legally mandated provisions for services for persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities. There also are no programs to ensure access to communications and information for persons with disabilities. The Tonga Red Cross Society operates a school for children with disabilities and conducts occasional home visits. There is no specific government agency responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
For emergency services in Tonga dial 911.
Ambulance services are:
The Department of State does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Further health information:
Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.
Special Circumstances:
Health facilities:
Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery
Pharmaceuticals
Water Quality
Adventure Travel
General Health Information
The following diseases are prevalent
Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions vary throughout the country. A driver must look out for changes in traffic, road and weather conditions, and reduce speed accordingly. The information below concerning Tonga is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
See our Road Safety page for more information.
Traffic Laws:
Public Transportation: Buses and taxis are the only public transport available in Tonga.
Fua’amotu International Airport: Note that no international or domestic flights are scheduled on Sundays. Flight schedules change frequently and are subject to change, sometimes with only a few hours’ notice.
Visit the website of Tonga’s Ministry of Infrastructure for more information.
Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Tonga, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Tonga’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Tonga should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings website.
Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.
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