If the allure of the most stunning blue and green sea, endless golden beaches, a remoteness that you never imagined still existed, and a simple way of life appeals to you, then Tonga could be the South Pacific dream you are looking for.
OK, so this pic is from Disneyland, but Tonga is magical so it fits.
However, following the awful events of 14th January 2022, when a huge volcanic blast occurred just off of Tonga, Tonga has probably not featured on your list of places to move to.
But surprising as it may seem, we are seeing large numbers of people from all over the world moving to Tonga in the last few weeks, in fact, it is one of the most popular international moving routes right now.
A large number of these people moving to Tonga will be volunteers, Tongans returning home, or people who are going to help Tonga and its’ population recover from the volcanic eruption.
And in the next few months, hopefully, tourists will return to discover what a magical group of islands Tonga is.
The money generated from tourism will go a long way to help the islands recover. According to www.worlddata.info Tonga generated about $57 million or £42 million in 2019 from tourism.
Expats moving to Tonga will be a vital source of income for the islands, and of course, those moving there will get to live an amazing new life surrounded by beautiful beaches, turquoise blue oceans, a warm tropical climate, and super friendly people. A win-win for everyone.
This is why, if you were considering a move to Tonga before this disaster, you don’t abandon those plans.
And for those of you who have only just discovered the paradise that is Tonga following the news reports, we hope this guide to moving to Tonga will help you make the decision to move there.
Just one of the group of islands that make up Tonga
Tonga is a Polynesian country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, south of Samoa. Out of the 169 islands that make up the archipelago, only 36 are inhabited.
The islands are divided into three groups – Ha-apai, Vava’u, and Tongatapu.
Tongatapu is the largest of the islands, being 257 square kilometres (99 sq miles), and is where the capital city of Nuku’alofa is found.
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Tonga is a great destination for expats for numerous reasons, as you will see below, but it is the things that you cannot put into words, the experiences, sounds, and sights of these magical islands that make Tonga so special.
But as with any home move, you must consider the negative aspects of making such a move and thoroughly research anything that could adversely affect your quality of life.
Read the pros and cons of moving to Tonga in conjunction with the other sections of this guide to make a more informed decision about your move to Tonga.
The Pros of Moving to Tonga
Making Tapa cloth
Tonga is not a typical South Pacific Island: Going to live in Tonga you will be immersed into the locals way of life, there is not the expat cocoon that you find in many places. You will learn to live alongside and integrate with Tongans, and have a far better quality of life for that very reason.
The Weather: The climate on Tonga is tropical and does not vary greatly throughout the year. The summers are hot but very rarely get above 35°C, and with the cooling trade winds are a near perfect temperature. Even during the wet seasons the weather is warm.
Friendly People: The people of Tonga are very friendly, although they can be shy. As an expat you will be welcomed with open arms.
English is Widely Spoken: Not so much in rural parts, but in the main towns and cities English is widely spoken. Lessons in schools, and business transactions, are all made in English.
Large Expat Community: Many people like to have a support network when they move to a new country and Tonga has a large expat community to help you adapt to your new life.
Education: Schooling is compulsory with an almost 100% level of literacy amongst the population of Tonga.
Tranquility: Tonga is a peaceful and relaxing place to live and, being a very spiritual country, even prohibits any kind of work or business opening on a Sunday when they strictly observe the Sabbath.
Traditional Way of Life: The traditions of Tonga are still going strong and help create a wonderfully simple way of life. Meals are often cooked in underground ovens outside (called an ‘umu), and you will hear the sound of tree bark being beaten to produce Tapa cloth wherever you go.
Crime: The crime rate is very low and although there is some petty crime, it is considered a very safe place to live.
Healthcare: Healthcare is free for Tongans and they have fixed prices for expats in public hospitals, although private hospitals are also available.
Food: Tongans love their food. The ingredients are fresh and locally produced or caught, and the portions are huge by western standards. And any excuse is a good excuse for a feast here.
Nature: Between June and November you can swim with humpback whales who come here to breed and calve. Coupled with uninhabited islands, great weather, and lack of traffic, this is a nature lovers paradise.
Wildlife: Not only is there an abundance of marine wildlife to see and enjoy, but more importantly there is only one venomous snake on the island, usually found in shallow waters, so they are easily avoided.
Sunrises and Sunsets: Tonga is blessed with the most amazing sunrises as it is situated just off the International Date Line and the Tropic of Capricorn. This means that it is one of the first countries in the world to welcome in the new day.
Outdoor Pursuits: From snorkeling, to deep sea fishing, rugby to volleyball, to hiking and cycling, if you enjoy an outdoor lifestyle you will love Tonga.
Rugby: If you love rugby then you will feel right at home as Tongans are obsessed with the sport.
The Cons of Moving to Tonga
No country in the world is absolutely ideal for everybody, so in this section, we will highlight some things about living in Tonga that you should be aware of. Some will be game-changers for some people, whilst neither here nor there for others.
Natural Hazards: The tropical climate and being in the South Pacific means that you will experience some geological and weather events. The cyclone season between December and February, earthquakes, tsunamis, and droughts are experienced on Tonga.
Internet Speeds: There is limited internet services outside of the urban areas so if you are a digital nomad and need good internet speeds for work, then avoid the more rural locations. There are numerous internet cafes on the islands if you need them.
Remoteness: Tonga is remote, it takes a long time to get there, a long time for supplies to reach you, and if you live rurally, then you will often have no electricity, and you will be a long way from good medical care should you need it.
Healthcare: Healthcare is quite limited in the rural areas and although the medical staff are well trained, facilities and medical equipment are limited.
Vegetarianism: The Tongans diet is meat heavy and a meal is considered incomplete without it. Fresh fruit and veg is readily available but you may struggle to get locals to understand why you would choose not to eat meat.
Moral Standards: This is neither a pro nor con but something to be aware of. Tonga is a spiritual place with the Christian religion widely practiced. Dress code is very conservative with arms, legs, and chest having to be covered by clothing. Public displays of affection are also frowned upon.
It is not your typical expat destination: The crystal clear water, beautiful beaches, tropical climate, and stunning marine life will attract many expats, but don’t expect 5 star restaurants or glitzy clubs open 24 hours. This is a place to relax, forget the time, and enjoy the moment with the simple things in life. Life won’t always be easy here, but you will be in the South Pacific looking out over views that others can only dream about.
You may also like to read: International Car Shipping – Your Questions Answered in which you show you the pitfalls to avoid when shipping your car overseas. With lots of useful tips on choosing the right shipping partner, this is an invaluable guide to ensure your car arrives in pristine condition.
How Much Does it Cost to Live in Tonga?
Local produce drives the cost of living down on Tonga
www.traveltables.com calculates the cost of living in Tonga, excluding rent, to be between £878 and £647 per month for 2 people.
Generally, anything imported is expensive, as you would expect, whilst locally grown or produced items are very cheap.
Property is very cheap to buy as we will discover later in this guide.
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Tonga?
Property, yes. Land, no.
Property in Tonga is extremely cheap compared with other South Pacific Islands, the reason being that you cannot buy land in Tonga, it is all owned by the King.
Leases for land are usually between 20 and 99 years and are renewable when they expire.
The advantage of leasing land rather than freehold is that you can lease far cheaper, and therefore get an amazing property, in an incredible position, for a lot less than you could ever imagine.
But, the laws around buying a property and leasing the land can be extremely complex so it is recommended that you seek the services of a licenced real estate and property management company to guide you.
And like anywhere in the world, if the deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is, so always go with a reputable real estate company.
www.propertytonga.com is one such licensed company that lists homes for sale, property to rent, businesses for sale, and even islands for sale.
www.southpacificrealestate.to has listings of many properties in Tonga as well as lots of useful advice about living in Tonga.
You may also like to read: What is the Fear of Moving and How to Overcome It. In this guide we explore why it is so scary to move home, the strategies you can use to overcome that fear, and how to make that home move as stress-free as possible.
What Visa Do I Need for Living in Tonga?
For the most up-to-date information regarding visa requirements for living in Tonga, you should contact the Tongan Embassy in your home country. Their contact details are listed in the moving guides later in this article.
Most people who move to Tonga will be either retired or going for work. There are two specific visas that cover these options:
Employment Visa for Tonga
You should apply for an employment visa at least 4 weeks before you move.
To apply for an employment visa for Tonga you will need:
A visa application form (available from the Tonga Embassy in your country)
Two recent passport photographs
A passport that is valid for the duration of the visa
A medical report validated by the Immigration Division
A criminal record check from your country of residence
A letter of support from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries
The application fee of TOP$175
An offer of employment from a company registered in Tonga
Employment contract
Evidence of professional skills
Relevant certificates / licences as required under the law of Tonga
The employers company registration and business licence numbers
Assured Income Visa for Tonga
If you are planning on retiring to Tonga you will need an Assured Income Visa.
To apply for an Assured Income Visa you will need:
A completed visa application form (available from the Tongan Embassy in your country)
Two recent passport photographs
A passport valid for when the visa will be issued
A medical report validated by the Immigration Division
A criminal record check from your country of residence
Two character references
Evidence that you have an income of at least TOP$10,000 per year
The cheapest way to move to Tonga is to take as few possessions as possible. If you can fit all the things you wish to take in suitcases, then the cheapest way to get them to Tonga will probably be as excess luggage.
You could use a company such as www.mybaggage.com which quotes £288 for sending up to 30kg from the UK to Tonga.
To move a 1 bed flat (shared load) from UK to Tonga costs approximately £3000-£4500
To move a 2 bed house (shared load) from UK to Tonga costs approximately £4500-£7000
To move a 3bed home (20ft shipping container) from UK to Tonga costs approximately £7000-£10000
To Move a 4bed home (40ft shipping container) from UK to Tonga costs approximately £9000-£12000
These are very rough average costs, it will depend entirely on how much stuff you have to move.
On average it takes 12 weeks to transport your things to Tonga by shipping container. The fastest way to move to Tonga is by air freight, but the prices are significantly higher in most cases.
When contacting international removal companies, be sure to get quotes for the various means of transportation and the approximate delivery times.
You can get a free no-obligation quote for your exact requirements by filling out this easy quote form.
How Much are Flights from London to Tonga?
A one-way ticket with 1 cabin bag and 2 pieces of checked luggage from London to Tonga is about £900 depending upon the time of year you are travelling.
The cheapest day of the week to fly to Tonga is a Saturday, with Monday being the most expensive day.
The cheapest month to fly to Tonga is usually October, whilst December is the most expensive.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Tonga. The quickest flight takes 36hours 35mins and has 2 stopovers.
Tonga is one of the first countries in the world to welcome in the new day
By far, the most number of people we see moving to Tonga is from Australia. According to the 2016 Australian census, there were 9963 Tongan-born people living in Australia, so many of the movers we see will be people returning to help family after the volcano erupted in January.
And historically, many Australians have volunteered for various programmes in Tonga (more about volunteering opportunities in Tonga later).
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 0900-1300 and 1400-1700
Recommended Vaccinations for Australians Moving to Tonga
The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers recommends that you have the following vaccinations for Tonga:
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Measles
Mumps
Rebella
Polio
Flu
You should always seek professional medical advice regarding which vaccinations you personally should have and your local practitioner will have the most up-to-date information regarding the vaccinations you may need.
Exchange Rates
The currency in Tonga is the Paanga and hovers around 1.60 TOP$ to 1 AUD$.
You can find the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com
How Much Does it Cost to Move From Australia to Tonga?
The fewer items you move to Tonga the cheaper your home costs will be, but the average cost of moving from Australia to Tonga is:
A partial move of 2000lbs or less from Australia to Tonga is approximately 710AUD$
A 1 bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 1470AUD$
A 2 bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 2270AUD$
A 3 bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 3000AUD$
Your removal costs will depend upon many factors and the only way to know for sure what your removal costs will be is to get quotes from professional international removalists.
You can get your free, no-obligation quote in just a few minutes by completing this form.
On average it takes 3-4 weeks to transport your things to Tonga by shipping container. The fastest way to move to Tonga is by air freight but the prices are significantly higher in most cases.
How Much are Flights from Australia to Tonga?
Flights from Australia to Tonga cost between $820 and $1470 depending upon the time of year you travel and from where.
March is usually the cheapest month to fly to Tonga when you can get flights for as little as $700.
Flight times will vary of course but as an example, Melbourne to Nuku’alofa is approximately 14 hours.
To discover the flight times and average prices of flights from Australia to Tonga check out www.rome2rio.com
Must read: How to Avoid Culture Shock When Moving Home. In this guide, we look at the topic of culture shock. Whether you are moving ten miles or ten thousand miles, the environment, people around you, the weather, the culture can all be very different and can be very unnerving. Here we show you how to avoid culture shock so that you settle into your new home as quickly and easily as possible.
Moving to Tonga from NZ
Every beach and island have special stories to tell in Tonga
The second-highest number of people moving to Tonga recently are coming from NZ.
If you intend to live in Tonga and are not of Tongan nationality, then you will need an employment visa or an assured income visa.
The Tonga High Commission in Auckland will be able to provide you will all the information and forms you require to be able to obtain your visa.
The Tonga High Commission
“Atalangi”
14 Landscape Road
Epsom
1024
Auckland
New Zealand
Telephone: 09 624 6303
Email: saho@xtra.xo.nz
Working hours: Monday to Friday 0900-1200 and 1300-1500hrs
Recommended Vaccinations for New Zealanders Moving to Tonga
You should always seek professional medical advice regarding which vaccinations you personally should have and your local practitioner will have the most up-to-date information regarding the vaccinations that you may need.
Exchange Rates
The currency in Tonga is the Paanga and the exchange rate is about 0.7 TOP$ to 1 NZ$.
You can find the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com
How Much Does it Cost to Move From NZ to Tonga?
The majority of people will not take any furniture with them when they move to Tonga, and if you are only taking clothes then it may be cost-effective to take them as excess baggage on your flight.
The fewer items you move to Tonga the cheaper your home costs will be, but the average cost of moving from Australia to Tonga are:
A partial move of 2000lbs or less from Australia to Tonga is approximately 765NZD$
A 1 bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 1580NZD$
A 2 bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 2440NZD$
A 3 bedroom home move from Australia to Tonga costs approximately 3220NZD$
Your removal costs will depend upon many factors and the only way to know for sure what your removal costs will be is to get quotes from professional international removalists.
You can get your free, no-obligation quote in just a few minutes by completing this form.
On average it takes 3-4 weeks to transport your things to Tonga by shipping container. The fastest way to move to Tonga is by air freight but the prices are significantly higher in most cases.
How Much are Flights from NZ to Tonga?
Flights from NZ to Tonga vary depending upon your departure and landing airports.
Tauranga to Nuku’alofa costs between NZ$423 – NZ$727 and takes about 6 hours
Christchurch to Nuku’alofa costs between NZ$435 – NZ$755 and takes about 8 hours
Palmerston to Nuku’alofa costs between NZ$370 – NZ$623 and takes about 6 hours
To find more travel options from NZ to Tonga visit www.rome2rio.com
You may like to read: How to Decide if it is Time to Move Home or Not. In this guide, we help you determine whether moving home now is the right time for you. Moving home is a big decision, and emigrating is an even bigger one, this guide will help you make a reasoned decision in your circumstances.
Moving to Tonga from USA
Life can be tough in Tonga
Many many Americans are drawn to the beautiful islands of Tonga to experience a unique way of life in stunning surroundings.
With English being widely spoken, low crime rates, and a family-oriented society, it is easy to see the appeal of moving to Tonga.
If you wish to live in Tonga and are not of Tongan nationality, then you will need an employment visa or an assured income visa.
The Tonga High Commission will be able to provide you with all the information and forms you require to be able to obtain your visa.
You should always seek professional medical advice regarding which vaccinations you personally should have and your local practitioner will have the most up-to-date information regarding the vaccinations you may need.
Exchange Rates
The currency in Tonga is the Paanga and the exchange rate is about 2.3 TOP$ to 1 US$.
You can find the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com
How Much Does it Cost to Move From USA to Tonga?
If you intend to move to Tonga with very few possessions then you could expect to pay around $2900 for a pallet that weighs around 133lbs.
For a 4-bed size home move expect to pay up to $12000 depending upon the services you require.
The only true way to get an accurate quote for your move from the USA to Tonga is to get a free no-obligation quote via the moving costs calculator.
You will then receive up to 4 quotes so that you can compare costs and services.
How Much are Flights from USA to Tonga?
These are average costs and travel times from the USA to Tonga:
Flights from Los Angeles to Nuku’alofa cost about $448 – $910 and takes about 23 hours
Flights from Miami to Nuku’alofa costs about $651 – $1405 and takes around 30 hours
Flights from Houston to Nuku’alofa cost around $651 – $1300 and takes about 28 hours
There are no direct flights from the USA, but Tonga is served well via Hawaii, Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Fiji, and Samoa on Royal Tongan Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, and Polynesian Airlines.
You can find out the average flight times and costs from your local international airport at www.rome2rio.com
You may like to read: Moving Home After a Life-Changing Event. Many people consider moving overseas to start a new life after a life-changing event. In this guide, we help you weigh up the pros and cons of making such a big decision after a life-changing event.
Find the contact details of all the High Commissions and Consulates in Tonga at www.embassypages.com
Volunteering Opportunities in Tonga
Tonga offers many opportunities for those wanting to volunteer. This is a great way to get to know the islands, you will be helping the local community, and it will be a rewarding experience for you.
Here are some websites that list volunteer opportunities in Tonga with lots of additional useful information.
It would be hard having to put up with this type of food in this environment, but I guess you would learn to cope.
Should I move to Tonga? Whether you are moving halfway around the world or just a few miles, it often makes sense to rent a place in different locations to ensure that you are making the right move.
Tonga offers you the opportunity to lead a peaceful life, in a traditional way, amongst beautiful scenery.
But just as some people cannot adjust to city life. or living in another part of their home country, Tonga will not be for everyone.
Take your time to find out as much as you can about daily life in Tonga which will be very different from spending a holiday there.
Visit the expat forums and social media groups to glean as much information as you can.
Volunteering would also be a great introduction to Tonga and will be a fantastic experience for you whilst helping the local community at the same time.
When emigrating to another country one of the most important things to do is manage your expectations. Often problems that you have now will move with you, they do not always just magically disappear.
And often when you move to a different country and it does resolve your current problems or takes away the reasons for your current stresses, you will find a whole new set of things that will stress you.
Equally, a move to a stunning place like Tonga could be the move you need to invigorate you, to give you a new lease of life.
Swimming with whales off the coast of deserted islands with the sun shining every day has got to beat life commuting to work in cold and damp weather.
Sometimes life is about taking a chance, making a change, taking that leap, and seeing where you land.
We will leave you with the four core values of Tongan society which, combined with making the family central to everyday life, goes some way to explain why the people of Tonga will make you so welcome, why the islands are so special, and why Tonga could be exactly what you are looking for.
Mutual Respect
Sharing, cooperating and fulfillment of mutual obligations
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