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Tonga
Country Specific Information
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January 17, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Tonga is a South Pacific island nation consisting of 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. Tonga is a constitutional
monarchy and a member of the British Commonwealth. Its agrarian economy is developing and its tourist industry, although
limited, is growing. Tourist facilities are concentrated in and around the main island of Tongatapu where the capital, Nuku’alofa,
is located. The Tongan Tourist Bureau has a wide range of information of interest to travelers. The web site is http://www.tongaholiday.com/. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Tonga for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENT: A passport and an onward/return ticket are required. Visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days. Tonga collects
a departure tax. For further information about entry requirements, travelers, particularly those planning to enter by sea,
may wish to contact the Consulate General of Tonga at 360 Post Street, Suite 604, San Francisco, California 94108; telephone
415‑781‑0365.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: An organized movement for political reform exists in Tonga. Protests in November 2006 became violent, resulting in fires
that destroyed much of the downtown area of Nuku’alofa. American citizens are advised to avoid large public gatherings and
to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations, as they could turn violent at any time. For the latest
security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside
the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Tonga has three emergency contact numbers: 911 connects to the Tonga Telecommunications emergency operators; 922 connects directly to the police; and 933 connects directly to the hospital. Americans requiring immediate emergency services in Tonga should call one of these emergency contact numbers.
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Although the crime rate in Tonga is low compared to that in the U.S. and most European countries, petty crime and theft does take place. Though rare, crimes against persons occur as well. Visitors should not be complacent regarding personal safety or the protection of valuables.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Tonga are extremely limited. The cities of Nuku'alofa and Neiafu have hospitals with limited emergency
and outpatient facilities. Local residents and visitors with serious medical problems are often referred to New Zealand for
treatment. For additional information on medical visas for New Zealand, contact the Embassy of New Zealand, 37 Observatory
Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 328-4800 or the Consulate General in Los Angeles (310) 207-1605. Serious medical conditions
requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please
see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CODITION: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Tonga is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
No roadside assistance is available. Traffic moves on the left in Tonga. While roads in Nuku’alofa are paved, most other
roads are not. Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous.
For specific information concerning Tonga driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the
Consulate General of Tonga in San Francisco.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of the country’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.tongaholiday.com/.
AVIATION OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Tonga’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Tonga’s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may visit the FAA's web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa/
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE: 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 Consulate
General of Tonga in San Francisco for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our Customs Information
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. U.S. citizens who are detained are encouraged to request that a consular officer from the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, be notified.
The cyclone season is November through April. The Fiji Meteorological Service maintains a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Nadi serving the Southwest Pacific Region. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html and from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES : Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: There is no U.S. Embassy or other U.S. diplomatic or consular post in Tonga. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji provides assistance
for U.S. citizens in Tonga. Americans living or traveling in Tonga are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Suva
through the State Department’s travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Tonga. Americans without Internet access may register directly
with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji is located at 31 Loftus Street in Fiji’s capital city
of Suva. The telephone number is (679) 331-4466; the fax number is (679) 330-2267. Information may also be obtained by visiting
the Embassy’s home page at http://suva.usembassy.gov/. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Tonga dated August 15, 2007, to update the section on Safety and Security.
