Tonga
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
Restrictions on entry to Tonga
It is unclear whether Tonga imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Tonga does not have any HIV restrictions on entry.
The Embassy of Tonga to China provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visitors visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Certain nationalities must request a permit to enter Tonga (The Ministry of Revenue & Customs website includes a list). The application form for a Tongan Permit includes fields for self disclosure, one of which is ‘that I do not suffer from a contagious or infectious disease which makes my presence in the Kingdom dangerous to the community’. It is not clear if this would require HIV disclosure.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Tonga
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in Tonga.
According to UNAIDS, Tonga requires HIV testing for study and work permits.
A detailed list of the documentation required to apply for a work permit and business visa is available on the website of the Embassy of Tonga to China. Note that one of the documents required is ‘a medical report issued within the past 6 months by a licensed doctor.’ The medical form includes testing and disclosure of HIV among other STIs.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Tonga
We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in Tonga.
According to UNAIDS, Tonga requires HIV testing for residency permits (longer than 90 days).
The application form for a Tongan Permit requires a medical form for stays over six months. The medical form includes testing and disclosure of HIV among other STIs.
Treatment access in Tonga
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Tonga. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Access to healthcare in Tonga for non-nationals is structured primarily through government facilities, which provide most medical services to both locals and foreigners.
The country operates with a relatively small healthcare system, with its main facility, Vaiola Hospital, located in the capital, Nuku’alofa.
Non-nationals can seek emergency and primary healthcare at this hospital, as well as at several district hospitals and smaller health centres across the islands, however there is limited availability to advanced medical equipment and specialist care.
Healthcare in Tonga is largely government-funded, with additional support from international donors, but foreign nationals have to pay (there are fixed prices for non-nationals in public hospitals). Private insurance is recommended to help cover some expenses.
Vaiola Hospital located in Nuku’alofa, is the main referral hospital in Tonga and provides comprehensive healthcare services, including ART for HIV-positive patients. They are equipped to offer PEP as well.
The four hospitals in Tonga are the only service point for HIV testing which is laboratory based. There are no facilities diagnosing and treating HIV on the outer islands.
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
People living with HIV are criminalised in Tonga. There are HIV-specific criminal laws in force which target alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission. We are not aware of any reported prosecutions under these or other laws.
Visit the Tonga page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
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