Can Tongan citizens travel to the United States without a visa?

No, Tongan passport holders require a visa to enter the United States. Tonga is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Tongans must apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or appropriate visa category at the US Embassy in Suva, Fiji, which has jurisdiction over Tonga. Processing times typically range from several weeks to months.

Do Tongan passport holders need a visa for Australia and New Zealand?

Yes, Tongan citizens require visas for both Australia and New Zealand despite geographic proximity and strong historical ties. For Australia, Tongans must apply for a visitor visa (subclass 600) or other appropriate visa. For New Zealand, a visitor visa is required prior to travel. Both countries have streamlined application processes for Pacific Island nationals.

Which European countries can Tongans visit visa-free?

Tongan passport holders can visit all 27 Schengen Area countries visa-free for up to 90 days within 180 days. This includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Can Tongans visit the United Kingdom without a visa in 2025?

Tongan passport holders can visit the UK but require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as of 2025. The UK ETA costs £10, is valid for multiple entries over 2 years, and allows stays up to 6 months per visit. Applications are made online before travel. This replaced the previous visa-free access for Tongans.

What documents are required to apply for a Tongan passport?

To apply for a Tongan passport, you need: (1) completed application form, (2) original birth certificate, (3) national ID card or previous passport, (4) two recent passport-sized photos (white background), (5) proof of Tongan citizenship or naturalization certificate if applicable, and (6) application fee (TOP $100 for standard processing). Applications are submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nuku'alofa or Tongan diplomatic missions abroad.

Is military service mandatory for Tongan passport holders?

No, Tonga does not have mandatory military service. The Tonga Defence Services (TDS) is a volunteer force. There is no conscription requirement for Tongan citizens, and military service is not a prerequisite for obtaining or maintaining a Tongan passport. Citizens are free to travel abroad without military service obligations.

Can Tongan passport holders visit China without a visa?

Yes, Tongan passport holders can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits. This arrangement has been in place since 2016 and reflects strong diplomatic ties between Tonga and China. Travelers must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months and have proof of onward/return tickets.

Do Tongans have the right to work in other Pacific Island countries?

Tongan citizens can work in some Pacific nations under specific agreements. The Pacific Access Category (PAC) allows 250 Tongans annually to live and work permanently in New Zealand through a ballot system. Tongans can also access seasonal worker programs in Australia (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme) and New Zealand (Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme). Free movement rights exist with some Pacific Island Forum countries for short visits, but work rights typically require separate permits.

How long does it take to renew a Tongan passport and what is the validity period?

Standard Tongan passport renewal takes 4-6 weeks when applied for in Tonga, and 6-8 weeks through overseas missions. Expedited service (1-2 weeks) is available for an additional fee. Adult passports are valid for 5 years, while children's passports (under 16) are valid for 3 years. Renewal applications can be submitted up to 6 months before expiry. Fees are TOP $100 (standard) and TOP $150 (expedited) as of 2025.

Tonga Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 129 Countries

The Tonga passport ranks 42nd globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 129 destinations worldwide. This Pacific Island nation's travel document provides moderate international mobility, with significant improvements over the past decade—rising from 46 visa-free destinations in 2006 to 129 in 2025. Tongan passport holders enjoy travel advantages throughout the Pacific region, parts of Europe through the Schengen area, and various Commonwealth countries. The passport's steady climb in global rankings reflects Tonga's strengthening diplomatic relations and increased travel freedom for its citizens.

Global Rank

#42

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

129

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Tonga passport

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Tongan Citizens

Popular destinations where Tonga passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Fiji	Up to 120 days	FJ
Malaysia	Up to 30 days	MY
Singapore	Up to 30 days	SG
Philippines	Up to 30 days	PH
Ecuador	Up to 90 days	EC

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Tonga passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

97 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

26 countries

🔐 ETA Required

6 countries

💻 E-Visa

37 countries

❌ Visa Required

60 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Tonga's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 10 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Tonga Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Kingdom of Tonga

🔗

Tonga Government Portal

🔗

Ministry of Internal Affairs - Passport Division

Compare Tonga Passport with Other Passports

See how Tonga's passport compares with other OCEANIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Tonga (You are here)	#42	129	42/100	58/100
Solomon Islands	#39	133	42/100	61/100
Samoa	#42	129	42/100	58/100
Marshall Islands	#44	127	42/100	58/100
Tuvalu	#45	126	28/100	55/100
Kiribati	#46	123	12/100	54/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, Tongan passport holders can access 129 destinations without a prior visa. This includes 112 visa-free destinations, 26 visa-on-arrival countries, 6 electronic travel authorisation (eTA) destinations, and 35 eVisa options. Tonga ranks 42nd globally on the Henley Passport Index, showing significant improvement from 46 visa-free destinations in 2006.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Tonga's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Tonga Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 129 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 120 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Tonga's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 10 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Tonga Passport with Other Passports

See how Tonga's passport compares with other OCEANIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Tonga (You are here)	#42	129	42/100	58/100
Solomon Islands	#39	133	42/100	61/100
Samoa	#42	129	42/100	58/100
Marshall Islands	#44	127	42/100	58/100
Tuvalu	#45	126	28/100	55/100
Kiribati	#46	123	12/100	54/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Tonga passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Tongan Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Tonga's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Tonga Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Tonga Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Tongan passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Can Tongan citizens travel to the United States without a visa?

Do Tongan passport holders need a visa for Australia and New Zealand?

Which European countries can Tongans visit visa-free?

Can Tongans visit the United Kingdom without a visa in 2025?

What documents are required to apply for a Tongan passport?

Is military service mandatory for Tongan passport holders?

Can Tongan passport holders visit China without a visa?

Do Tongans have the right to work in other Pacific Island countries?

How long does it take to renew a Tongan passport and what is the validity period?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Tonga passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Tongan Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Tonga's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Tonga Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Tonga Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Tongan passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Can Tongan citizens travel to the United States without a visa?

Do Tongan passport holders need a visa for Australia and New Zealand?

Which European countries can Tongans visit visa-free?

Can Tongans visit the United Kingdom without a visa in 2025?

What documents are required to apply for a Tongan passport?

Is military service mandatory for Tongan passport holders?

Can Tongan passport holders visit China without a visa?

Do Tongans have the right to work in other Pacific Island countries?

How long does it take to renew a Tongan passport and what is the validity period?

Explore More Passport Rankings