Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Tonga is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Tongan citizens. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, new B-1/B-2 visitor visas for Tongan nationals are partly suspended, with limited exceptions. Visas issued before the proclamation remain valid. Check the State Department announcement before paying for flights or hotels.
What the suspension means
Tongan passport holders need a visa for the United States, and an ESTA is not open to them because Tonga is outside the Visa Waiver Program. Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, partly suspends new B-1/B-2 visitor visa issuance for Tongan nationals. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked.
Before you fly and on arrival
Wait until the visa position is clear before paying for anything that cannot be refunded. Most Tongan visitors arrive at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark and pass through Customs and Border Protection. Expect questions about the purpose of the trip, the Manhattan address where you will stay and the date you plan to leave. Answer plainly and carry documents that support the answers.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotel check-in in Manhattan normally requires a passport and a reservation in your name, so keep a printed confirmation with the address and dates. A return or onward ticket helps at the border and at check-in. Buses and trains link JFK, Newark and LaGuardia with Manhattan; check current routes and fares with the airport or the transit operator, since services change.
Longer stays, work and study
A visitor visa covers tourism and short business visits, not employment or a course of study. Tongan citizens who plan to work, study or stay for months need a different visa category, with its own requirements and its own rules. The State Department site lists the categories and the forms. The nearest US embassy or consulate can confirm which one fits the plan.
Step by step
- Read the State Department announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 in full, including the exceptions, before making any travel plan.
- Check whether an exception fits your case, such as another country's passport or a valid US visa already held.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate that serves Tonga and ask how the proclamation applies to you.
- Keep existing visas and previous travel documents safe, since visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked.
- Plan nothing non-refundable, such as flights or hotel deposits, until the visa position is clear.
Documents to carry
- A valid Tongan passport, or another country's passport if an exception applies
- Any valid US visa already held, since earlier visas were not revoked
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and the dates of the stay
- Return or onward travel booking showing when you intend to leave the United States
Tongan citizens: questions
Can Tongan citizens use ESTA to visit Manhattan?
No. Tonga does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Tongan citizens. Travelers from Tonga need a visa, and new visitor visa issuance is partly suspended with limited exceptions. Check travel.state.gov and the embassy before booking anything.
Do Tongan citizens need a visa for a short holiday in New York?
Yes. A B-1/B-2 visitor visa is the usual category for tourism and short business visits. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, new visitor visa issuance to Tongan nationals is partly suspended, so whether a visa is issued depends on the exceptions.
A Tongan citizen already holds a US visa. Can that person still travel to Manhattan?
Visas issued before Presidential Proclamation 10998 were not revoked, so a valid visa already in a passport can still be used. Check the visa conditions and carry the passport the visa was issued in. Confirm the position on travel.state.gov or with the embassy before paying for travel.
Does a second passport help Tongan citizens obtain a US visitor visa?
Limited exceptions to the suspension exist, and certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport are among them. A second passport does not guarantee a visa. Check the exact wording in the State Department announcement and ask the embassy or consulate whether the exception applies to your case.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.