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Last Updated:
October 24, 2007 8:54
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:40 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Section 1 (Current Issue removed) of this Travel Report has been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Canadians are advised to exercise caution in Tonga following politically motivated violence, which began on November 16, 2006. At the height of the violence, several buildings and shops were burnt down and a number of people were killed. Court hearings relating to these events are on-going and therefore travel to downtown Nuku'alofa should be avoided, especially areas around the courthouse and other government buildings. Further unrest is possible. A state of emergency was declared by the Government of Tonga on November 19, 2006, affecting the central business district of Nuku’alofa. The state of emergency can affect travellers’ ability to access buildings in the central business district. There exists the possibility of food and fuel shortages. Canadians are advised to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. The situation is unpredictable, and violence could break out again with little warning. Canadians are advised to monitor local news reports, follow the advice of the local authorities and maintain a high level of personal security awareness. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Most Canadian visitors to Tonga do not experience problems. Petty crime is prevalent. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Canadians in Tonga should avoid demonstrations and other large gatherings. Tourist facilities and services are available in Nuku'alofa but limited elsewhere. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Tonga and was valid on March 31, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the Kingdom of Tonga, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Tonga. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of an onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. Tourist Visa: Not required (for less than 30 days) Business Visa: Not required (for less than 30 days) Student Visa: Not required (for less than 30 days) A departure tax of NZ$20 is required on international flights. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS There is no resident Canadian government office in Tonga. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Tonga - NUKU'ALOFA, Australian High Commission Address: Salote Road, Nuku'alofa, Tonga Tel.: (676) 23-244 Fax: (676) 23-243 Internet: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Tonga The High Commission of Canada in Wellington, New Zealand, has consular responsibility for Tonga. New Zealand - WELLINGTON, High Commission of Canada Address: 125 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand Postal Address: P.O. Box 8047, Wellington, New Zealand, Tel.: 64 (4) 473-9577 Fax: 64 (4) 471-2082 E-Mail: wlgtn@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/newzealand For emergency assistance after hours, call the Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Homosexuality is illegal. Convicted offenders may face lengthy jail sentences. Visitors should dress conservatively and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivity. It is an offence to appear in public without a shirt, except on the beach. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Internal air service can be unpredictable. Flights are often cancelled on short notice. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Tongan dollar or Pa'anga (TOP). Traveller's cheques and currency can be exchanged at banks and major hotels. Credit cards are not widely accepted. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The typhoon and cyclone season extends from October to April. Local travel can be seriously affected. Fonuafo'ou is subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Travellers contemplating sea journeys should contact the Meteorological Office (tel: 23401) or consult the Met Web site (www.met.gov.fj) for weather reports. See our Current Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are limited. Nuku'alofa and Neiafu have hospitals with emergency facilities. Visitors with serious medical conditions are often referred to New Zealand for treatment, at their own expense. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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