Tonga under near-total US travel ban with visa bond of up to USD$20,000

Nationals of Tonga have faced a near-total travel ban to the United States since January, making tourist, business, student and exchange visitor visas extremely difficult to obtain. Anyone who does secure one of these visas could be required to pay a bond of up to USD$20,000.

Key facts

• The restrictions on Tonga have been in place since January
• They cover tourist, business, student and exchange visitor visas
• A bond of up to USD$20,000 may apply to those who do get a visa
• Tonga was estimated to have an overstay rate of around 6.45 percent for B-1/B-2 visas and over 14 percent for students and other overstayers
• Tonga was grouped with numerous African and Middle Eastern countries in a broad travel crackdown late last year

What are the restrictions?

Tonga is under a near-total travel ban to the United States. Eligibility for tourist, business, student and exchange visitor visas has become almost impossible, and travellers who do receive a visa may have to post a bond of up to USD$20,000.

The source does not state a review date or an end date for the restrictions, nor does it give details of how the bond is set, paid or refunded.

Why was Tonga included?

Tonga was wrapped in with numerous African and Middle Eastern countries in a broad travel crackdown late last year, driven by high visa overstay rates. Tonga's rate was estimated at around 6.45 percent for B-1/B-2 visas — the category covering business and tourist travel — and over 14 percent for students and other overstayers.

What has a Tongan-American politician said?

Doug Fiefia, who has become the first Tongan-American elected to a state senate anywhere in the United States, said the US was right to act because the overstay data does not lie. He said the measure had started important conversations about respecting the length of time a visa is granted for and holding citizens to that agreement.

Fiefia, a Republican elected in Utah's 18th District, takes office in January. His parents immigrated to Utah in the 1970s. He said he had not seen much fear within the Tongan community in Utah, citing coordination with law enforcement.

What this means for travellers

Tongans planning travel to the United States on tourist, business, student or exchange visitor visas should expect the application to be far harder than before and should factor in the possible bond requirement of up to USD$20,000. Checking the current status of the restrictions before making any travel plans is advisable, since the source gives no timeline for when they might be lifted or reviewed.

No announcement about changes to the ban or the bond has been made in the source.