GoTonga Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

According to the agreement between the governments of China and Tonga, citizens holding ordinary passports of the People's Republic of China are exempt from visa requirements when entering or leaving Tonga for a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry.

The types of Tongan visas include: visitor, business, work, residence, accompanying, student, and income guarantee. For specific visa matters, please consult the Embassy of Tonga in China.  

Foreign citizens entering Tonga must have a passport valid for more than 6 months.

It is recommended to prepare the return flight ticket before entering the country for inspection.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Imported goods must be declared and approved in advance.

2. It is prohibited to bring weapons (such as firearms, ammunition, spring knives, etc.), flammable and explosive materials, obscene and other illegal publications, drugs or drug making equipment, narcotics, counterfeit currency, counterfeit goods, etc. into the country.

3. It is prohibited to bring dangerous bacteria, pests, and other harmful organisms, as well as animals, plants, and their products that are harmful to human and animal health into the country.  

4. It is prohibited to bring fresh fruits, vegetables or beverages into the country.

5. It is necessary to truthfully declare in advance when bringing processed animal and plant products or food into the country.

6. The airport baggage claim area is equipped with X-ray detection equipment to inspect all luggage items. If customs officials deem it necessary, they will request to open the box and inspect the luggage.

Passengers over 18 years old are allowed to bring 2.25 liters of spirits or 4.5 liters of wine or beer, 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco.

8. It is prohibited to carry sea cucumber, coral, and sandalwood logs out of the country.

9. It is prohibited to bring Kangtaike and drugs without English labels into the country.

10. Passengers are not allowed to carry more than 10000 Canadian dollars (or equivalent currency) in cash when entering or leaving the country. If carrying cash with you exceeds the above limit, you will face detention, prosecution, and fines.

It is recommended not to carry items of unknown origin for others.

Residency and Naturalization

Foreign citizens residing in Tonga with valid visas.

Foreign citizens must meet the following conditions to be eligible to apply for Tongan citizenship:

1. Have resided continuously in Tonga for more than 5 years or married a Tongan citizen;

2. Good conduct and proficiency in Tongan language;

3. After the application is approved, it is intended to reside in Tonga.

The accepting department is the Tonga Immigration Department, phone numbers: (00676) 26969, (00676) 26970

Tonga's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

1. Tonga's overall social security is stable, but criminal cases such as theft and robbery occasionally occur. Drug crimes and traffic accidents are on the rise. Safety awareness should be raised to avoid going out alone at night, not storing or carrying large amounts of cash in one's residence, and to properly keep valuable items. Please keep copies of important documents such as passport by yourself. In case of sudden emergencies such as robbery or threats to personal safety, please report to the police in a timely manner and keep the alarm records.  

When participating in sea tourism, wilderness exploration, underwater activities and other projects, it is necessary to follow the guidance of regular tour guides, coaches, and lifeguards, understand the weather, vehicle conditions, sea conditions, ship conditions, equipment and other conditions in advance, make sufficient preparations, and ensure safety. It is recommended to purchase personal accident insurance before departure.

3. Comply with local laws and regulations, actively understand and respect local customs and religious beliefs. Without permission, it is not allowed to enter private territory or places that are not open to the public. Try to avoid verbal or physical conflicts with locals as much as possible. Sunday is a statutory day of rest in Tonga. Except for hotels and their affiliated restaurants, all business facilities are closed, and the public is not allowed to engage in any work (including home decoration maintenance) or engage in commercial, entertainment, or other activities. Air traffic and ground public transportation are suspended.

4. Stay away from alcoholics in and near bars to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Tonga's laws prohibit businesses from selling alcoholic beverages after 9pm from Monday to Saturday and throughout the day on Sundays.

5. Effective security measures should be taken for shops and residences. Those who meet the conditions can hire full-time security guards and install surveillance cameras from security companies.

6. Do not exchange foreign currency through informal channels.

7. Observe public order, do not make loud noises in public places, and pay attention to queuing when dining, taking a flight, riding a car, taking a boat, or shopping. Pay attention to public health, do not spit everywhere, and do not smoke in non-smoking areas. Pay attention to your own image, maintain appropriate clothing and speech.

8. Civilized visit, do not carve in scenic spots, and do not take photos in places where photography is prohibited. Respect the deities worshipped by the local people and protect precious cultural relics.

9. If flight delays, returns, or suspensions are caused by weather, mechanical failures, or other reasons, it is important to maintain good communication with the airline and other relevant parties, remain calm and rational in safeguarding one's rights, and refrain from taking extreme words and actions.

10. There are many wild dogs on the roads in Tonga, and it is not possible to receive rabies vaccine locally. It is recommended to stay away from places where wild dogs are found. When going out, please bring umbrellas, wooden sticks, and other protective tools to prevent dog bites. It is recommended to prepare mosquito and insect repellent appropriately to prevent bites.

natural disaster

Tonga is located in the western South Pacific and has a tropical rainforest climate. The dry season is from May to October, and the rainy season is from November to April. 60-70% of the annual precipitation is concentrated in the rainy season. The average annual temperature is 23 ℃ in the south and 27 ℃ in the north. The average annual precipitation is 1700 millimeters in the south and 2500 millimeters in the north. The rainy season is also known locally as the "hurricane season", with an average of 1-2 hurricanes occurring each season, mainly concentrated in February. Rainstorm and hurricanes will bring strong winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in waterlogging and even more serious damage.  

Tonga is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and Earthquake Zone, where earthquakes and tsunamis occur frequently. Chinese citizens living in Chengdu should pay attention to local weather forecasts, take safety precautions, avoid extreme weather in a timely manner, and avoid unnecessary losses caused by flight delays or cancellations.

FDA

Tonga tap water has a high content of calcium carbonate and is not suitable for direct consumption. It is recommended to drink bottled purified water or mineral water.

When purchasing items, especially food, it is important to pay attention to the shelf life. The Tongan Ministry of Commerce stipulates that all wholesale and retail goods must have a Tongan or English trademark and complete identification including the country of origin. Expired products must be clearly labeled and discontinued for sale.

Prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. Alcoholic beverages consumed in restaurants are not allowed to be taken out. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from being sold after 9pm from Monday to Saturday and throughout the day on Sunday.

Urgent Help

Chinese citizens residing in Tonga are advised to seek assistance from local authorities or contact the Chinese Embassy in Tonga in case of emergency.  

Alarm hotline: 922

Emergency Station Phone: 933

Fire alarm hotline: 999

Immigration Office phone numbers: (00676) 26969, (00676) 26970

Tourism Department Phone: （00676）25334

Emergency contact number for consular protection of the Chinese Embassy in Tonga: （00676）7778846

Duty hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Tonga: (00676) 8422422

air traffic

Tonga has a total of 6 airports, of which 2 are capable of handling international flights. There are flights between Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand to the capital of Tonga, Nuku'alofa. There are flights between Nuku'alofa and Wawau in Fiji.  

Tonga's main island, Tongatapu Island, is connected by domestic air routes to outer islands such as Hapai, Wawau, and Ewa.

In case of severe weather such as hurricanes, flights will be cancelled.

land transport

Tonga has no railways and relatively short road mileage. The vehicle is driving on the left, with a lower speed limit and strict overspeed monitoring. Do not drive without a license or violate regulations. Chinese driver's licenses, after being translated and notarized by domestic and foreign notary offices, can usually be applied for temporary driver's licenses in Tonga. Due to the poor road conditions and strict monitoring of left-hand traffic in Tonga, it is recommended to drive cautiously.

water communication

Tonga has a total of 8 ports, among which Nuku'alofa Port on Tongatapu Island and Na'af Port on Wawau Island have regular shipping services with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most South Pacific island countries. There are regular shipping lines between Tongatapu Island and outer islands such as Hapai, Wawau, and Ewa.

Urban transportation

The public transportation system in Tonga is underdeveloped, with only a small number of private buses and few trips, with irregular operating hours. It is recommended to choose carefully.

major city

The capital of Tonga, Nuku'alofa, is located on Tongatapu Island and has a population of approximately 22300 people.

Commodity prices

Tonga's main agricultural products include taro, cassava, purple sweet potato, sweet potato, yam, breadfruit, pumpkin, vanilla, and kava; Fruits include coconut, watermelon, papaya, banana, pineapple, mango, etc; Seafood includes fish, lobster, sea crab, sea cucumber, etc. Rice, flour, edible oil, meat, dairy products, daily necessities, clothing, fuel oil, beverages, and other basic necessities rely on imports. The overall price is relatively high.

Insurance Medical

Tonga has a small number of insurance companies, but the claims process is more complex.

Tonga has average health and medical conditions. There are 4 hospitals, 14 health centers, and 34 health clinics nationwide. There are over 800 healthcare professionals of various types. Medical conditions are limited and can only treat common diseases. Difficult and critical cases need to be sent to other countries for treatment.

The main infectious diseases in Tonga are dengue fever, typhoid fever, and occasional occurrence of Zika. There are many mosquitoes and insects during the rainy season, so please pay attention to bite prevention and food hygiene.

Tongan citizens enjoy free medical care, while foreign citizens need to pay for medical treatment.

Customs taboos

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy, with the majority of its citizens practicing Protestantism, and there are also many followers of Catholicism and Mormonism.

Sunday is Tonga's statutory day of rest, and most local residents gather in churches for activities. Except for hotels and their affiliated restaurants, no work (including home decoration maintenance) or commercial or entertainment activities are allowed on Sundays, and air and ground public transportation are suspended.

Tonga's customs are relatively traditional and conservative, and it is not advisable to hug, kiss, or dress provocatively in public places. It is also not advisable to wear overly revealing swimsuits when swimming. In tourist destinations on outer islands, tourists are less restricted.

Communications Power

The international long-distance telephone area code for Tonga is 00676. To make a phone call from China to Tonga, dial "00676+landline or mobile number".  

Tonga has two telecommunications service providers: TCC (Tonga Communication Cooperation) and Digicel, a foreign-owned company.

The local mobile phone call quality and internet speed are average, and the signal in remote areas is poor.

Domestic standard mobile phones of China Mobile and China Unicom can directly use local SIM cards, and recharge cards can be purchased at the airport, which is more convenient.

There are a total of 5 radio stations and 1 public television station in Tonga, mainly broadcasting Tongan language programs, with a small amount of English news, sports competitions, and TV dramas. China Radio International and China Central Television's Channel 9 programs have landed in Tonga. Digicel provides paid cable television services.  

The voltage in Tonga is 230V, and the power socket is a three-phase flat hole that matches the domestic three-phase plug.

contact information

Immigration office phone numbers: 26969, 26970.

Tourism bureau telephone: 25334.

Fire alarm hotline: 999.

Police hotline: 922.

Ambulance station: 933.