Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 18 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 18 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 22 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 22 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 22 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 22 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 22 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 22 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Please check the individual document categories below.
General Issuing Authority Information: The Registrar General’s office of the Ministry of Justice in Nuku’alofa is the issuing authority for most civil documents in Tonga.
Available
Fees: TOP $10.00 (approximately $5 USD)
Document Name: True Copy Of Birth Registration
Issuing Authority: The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates are generally printed electronically with a seal of the Registrar General on light green paper.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General
Registration Criteria: Every parent of a child born in wedlock or the mother of a child born out of wedlock is required to inform the sub-registrar of the district in which the birth occurred within 3 months of the birth, or shall be liable to a fine of $10 TOP.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certified copies of records of births may be obtained by any person concerned from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Complete records date back to the year 1867.
Contact:
Registrar General
Ministry of Justice, Nuku’alofa
Tel: + 676 25671
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Birth certificates of non-Tongan citizens who were born in Tonga (for example, in cases in which neither parent is a Tongan citizen) will indicate that the subject is not a Tongan citizen. Children born abroad to Tongan parents may be issued a Tongan birth certificate, which will indicate a place of birth outside the country.
Available
Fees: $10.00 TOP (approximately $5 USD)
Document Name: True Copy Of Death Registration
Issuing Authority: The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General
Registration Criteria: The immediate family of the deceased is required to report and register the death within one year. A medical certificate or report from the coroner, doctor, or medical officer is required.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certified copies of records of death may be obtained by any person concerned from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Complete records date back to the year 1867.
Contact:
Registrar General
Ministry of Justice, Nuku’alofa
Tel: +676 25 671
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Death certificates are available for non-Tongan citizens who pass away in Tonga, and will indicate that the subject is not a Tongan citizen.
Available
Fees: $10.00 TOP (approximately $5 USD)
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: An official marriage certificate is generally printed with the seal of the Supreme Court of Tonga on off-white paper.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Supreme Court of Tonga
Registration Criteria: Every couple must register their wedding at the Registrar General’s Office. This is usually done a few days before the wedding or on the day of the wedding.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certified copies of records of marriages may be obtained by any person concerned from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Complete records date back to the year 1892.
Contact:
Registrar General
Ministry of Justice, Nuku’alofa
Tel: +676 25 671
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Marriage certificates have been available to non-Tongan citizens since 1952.
Available
Fees: $26 TOP (approximately $13 USD)
Document Name: Decree Absolute
Issuing Authority: Supreme Court of Tonga
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The certificate is generally printed electronically with a seal of the Supreme Court of Tonga on white A4 paper.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Supreme Court of Tonga
Registration Criteria: A divorce is registered once court proceedings are complete.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certified copies can be obtained by either party by making a request to the Registrar’s Office once the marriage has been dissolved.
Contact:
Registrar General
Ministry of Justice, Nuku’alofa
Tel: +676 25 671
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: $41.00 TOP (approximately $20.50 USD)
Document Name: Letters of Adoption
Issuing Authority: Supreme Court of Tonga
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates are generally printed electronically on white paper with the Supreme Court of Tonga seal stamped at the bottom right of the page.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Supreme Court of Tonga
Registration Criteria: All adoption orders are registered once court proceedings are finalized.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certified copies can be obtained by the applicant or his/her parents once the final adoption is approved. An applicant can make the request directly with the Registrar’s Office.
Contact:
Registrar General
Ministry of Justice, Nuku’alofa
Tel: +676 25 671
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Free registration and first issuance of ID card. $50.00 TOP (approximately $25 USD) is charged for card reissuance or replacement.
Document Name: National Identity Card, Kingdom of Tonga
Issuing Authority: Tonga Electoral Commission
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The applicant’s identity is issued on a white plastic card with light green shading. The card bears the applicant’s full name, ID number, home address, photo, signature, and date of birth.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Tonga Electoral Commission
Registration Criteria: Any Tongan national over the age of 18 can register for a National Identity card.
Procedure for Obtaining: An individual must apply in person to the Tonga Electoral Commission using his/her birth certificate. The photo and signature of the individual is taken for printing on the card.
Contact:
Tonga Electoral Commission
GPO Box 1200, Nuku’alofa, Tonga|
Tel: +676 27645, 26884
Fax: +676 28668
Email: nationalid.tonga@gmail.com
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: $5.75 TOP (approximately $3 USD for Tongan citizens and $10 TOP (approximately $5 USD) for non-Tongan citizens.
Document Name: Police Record
Issuing Authority: Police records are issued by the Office of the Minister of Police, Police Headquarters, Tonga.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The certificate is printed electronically on white A4 paper and has a Criminal Record Office seal (in blue) stamped on the bottom left of the page beside the Inspector’s signature.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Acting Officer In Charge of the Criminal Records & Forensic Office
Registration Criteria: An individual who requires a police certificate submits either his/her birth certificate or passport with the appropriate fee to the Criminal Records & Forensic Office.
Contact:
Criminal Records & Forensic Office,
Central Police Station
Ministry of Police
P.O Box 6 Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Tel: +676 22790
Procedure for Obtaining: As noted above.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Individuals abroad must apply directly to the Criminal Records & Forensic Office. Police certificates may not be obtained through Tonga’s diplomatic missions abroad. Under the Rehabilitation Act 2013, individuals may apply to have their criminal record cleared. Since then, police certificates of individuals whose previous criminal records have been cleared should indicate that the applicant has no criminal record “in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 2013.” The applicant’s court records may be requested to confirm his/her previous conviction(s).
Available
Fees: $10.00 TOP (approximately $5 USD)
Document Name: Criminal Record
Issuing Authority: Prison records are issued by the administration office at Hu’atolitoli Prison, Tonga.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The certificate is printed electronically on white paper and has a seal/stamp in blue on the bottom left of the page beside the authority’s signature.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Commissioner of Prisons or Officer in Charge of Administration Division
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants who require these records must submit a police certificate with the appropriate fee.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: A prison or criminal record must be certified by the main office of Hu’atolitoli Prison.
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: Reference Letter
Issuing Authority: Issued by the Commander, His Majesty Armed Forces (HMAF), Tonga, with effect from the year 1953.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The letter is printed electronically on white A4 paper with the HMAF letterhead on top and the officer’s signature on the bottom left of the page.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: HMAF Officer at the Human Resource Office
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: An individual seeking his or her military records is required to show any form of national ID or passport.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: HMAF does not issue a standard or formal military record, but issues a reference letter to verify any service member’s HMAF records.
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular, Official, Diplomatic
Fees: Regular Passport, 5 year validity: $86.25 TOP (approximately $43 USD); 10 year validity: $115.00 TOP (approximately $57.50 USD). Official or Diplomatic Passport, 5 year validity: $86.25 TOP (approximately $43 USD)
Document Name: Kingdom of Tonga, Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tonga, Immigration Department
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular passports have a dark green textured cover and may be issued with five or ten year validity. Extensions of validity with the subject’s new passport photo are frequently handwritten on page four of the regular passport. Diplomatic passports have a bright red textured cover, while official passports are blue.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Minister of Foreign Affairs
Registration Criteria: All Tongan nationals and naturalized citizens can apply for a Tongan passport.
Procedure for Obtaining: Individuals who wish to travel overseas must apply for a passport by completing the relevant applicant form and submitting it with a previous passport, birth certificate or certificate of naturalized citizen. Applications are submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration Department.
Contact:
Immigration Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel: +676 26969/ 26970
Fax: +676 26971
Alternate Documents: At times when a passport cannot be issued (example, broken passport printer or shortage of passport stock), the Immigration Department issues a Certificate of Identity in cases of urgent travel or trips back to Tonga.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available
Not applicable.
Post Title: Suva, Fiji (Embassy)
Address:
158 Princes Road
P.O. Box 218
Suva, Fiji
Phone Number: +679 331 4466
Visa Services: Non-immigrant and immigrant visa services for Tongan citizens are provided by Embassy Suva.
Comments / Additional Information: None
The U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji provides all visa services for Tonga and the following areas:
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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