Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Living and possibly working in Tonga from July-October Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tonga
pharaeus 06:40 UTC 30 May 2010 | Hi everyone. Just looking at the logistics of living/working in Tonga (probably in the northern island whale watching group), but am open to suggestions. I'll be travelling on NZ dollars and will probably head over there (providing I do go) with close to $2500 NZD initially. If anyone could please give me an idea of the cost of living and the cheapest accommodation (beach hammock I guess!). That would be just dandy! ;-) |
ozziegiraffe 09:37 UTC 31 May 2010 | Pacific islands in general have a very low employment rate, and are unlikely to even consider employing a foreigner unless you have skills not available locally (eg medical, possibly nursing, or some areas of secondary or tertiary teaching.) Even if you did have those qualifications, local salaries are about 25% of what you would be paid at home if you are lucky. | 1
hardnosethehighway 19:21 UTC 31 May 2010 | Upon arrival you'll be issued a Visa for 30 day s-which specifically states you are ineligible to work-renewal is at the discretion of the local immigration department (and if they don't like the look of you renewal won't happen). So you have that amount of time to find something/have your status changed-and if you overstay you'll be removed from the country ASAP-at your expense. Time for Plan B. | 2
leo_walsh 00:36 UTC 03 Jun 2010 | You can convert your tourist visa to a work visa as long as you can prove some company wants you, and it used to cost , IIRC, TOP$1,000. | 3