
Lucas Botzen
Founder & Managing Director
Last updated:
September 21, 2025
What is an Employer of Record in Tonga?
View our Employer of Record servicesAn Employer of Record, or EOR, is a company that legally hires employees on your behalf in another country. If you want to hire someone in Tonga, but you don't have a registered business there, an EOR is a straightforward solution. The EOR handles all the legal and HR work, like payroll, taxes, and benefits. This means you can focus on managing your team and growing your business. For companies looking to hire in Tonga, an EOR provider like Rivermate can simplify the process.
How an Employer of Record (EOR) Works in Tonga
Using an EOR to hire in Tonga is a simple process. Here are the basic steps:
- You find the talent. You recruit and select the person you want to hire in Tonga.
- The EOR hires them legally. The EOR, as a registered entity in Tonga, drafts a compliant employment contract and officially hires the employee.
- Onboarding starts. The EOR manages the onboarding process, making sure all local requirements are met.
- The EOR handles HR and payroll. The EOR takes care of salary payments, taxes, and social security contributions according to Tongan law.
- You manage your employee. Your new team member works for your company, following your direction and contributing to your business goals. The EOR remains the legal employer, handling the administrative side.
Benefits of Using an EOR for Hiring in Tonga
Using an EOR to hire in Tonga offers several advantages. It allows you to expand your team without the major step of setting up a legal entity in the country. This saves you time and money.
- Stay Compliant. EORs are experts in Tongan labor laws. They ensure that your hiring practices, contracts, and payroll are always in line with local regulations.
- Save Time. You can hire and onboard new employees much faster than if you were to establish your own company in Tonga.
- Reduce Costs. Setting up a business in another country is expensive. An EOR allows you to hire in Tonga without those upfront costs.
- Focus on Your Business. With the EOR handling the administrative side of employment, you can concentrate on your core business activities and managing your team.
Responsibilities of an Employer of Record
As an Employer of Record in Tonga, Rivermate is responsible for:
- Creating and managing the employment contracts
- Running the monthly payroll
- Providing local and global benefits
- Ensuring 100% local compliance
- Providing local HR support
Responsibilities of the company that hires the employee
As the company that hires the employee through the Employer of Record, you are responsible for:
- Day-to-day management of the employee
- Work assignments
- Performance management
- Training and development
Costs of using an Employer of Record in Tonga
Rivermate's transparent pricing model eliminates complexity with a single, competitive monthly fee per employee. Unlike traditional PEO providers, our pricing in Tonga includes comprehensive HR support, benefits administration, compliance management, and access to our proprietary dashboard for real-time workforce analytics. No hidden costs, no setup fees—just straightforward pricing that scales with your business needs while ensuring full legal compliance in Tonga.
Hiring in Tonga
Hiring in Tonga offers a unique opportunity to tap into a growing market in the South Pacific. The country's expanding sectors, like tourism and telecommunications, make it an attractive place for business growth. However, before you hire, you need to understand the local employment landscape. This guide breaks down the key things you need to know, from contracts to holidays, to help you hire with confidence.
Employment contracts & must-have clauses
While you can make a verbal agreement, we strongly recommend a written employment contract in either English or Tongan. A written contract provides clarity for both you and your employee.
Your contract should include these essential clauses:
- Names: The full names of the employer and employee.
- Job Details: The job title and a clear description of the duties.
- Start Date: The official start date of employment.
- Work Location: The primary place of work.
- Working Hours: The expected hours of work.
- Pay: The salary or wage amount and how often it will be paid.
- Leave: Details on annual leave and other leave entitlements.
- Termination: The notice period required for termination.
Probation periods
In Tonga, you can include a probationary period in your employment contract to see if a new employee is a good fit.
- Duration: A probation period is typically three months but can be up to a maximum of six months.
- Termination: During the probation period, you can terminate the contract with a shorter notice period, usually one week.
- Conversion: If the employee's performance is satisfactory, their employment automatically becomes permanent after the probation period ends.
Working hours & overtime
A standard workweek in Tonga is 40 hours, typically broken down into eight-hour days.
- Overtime: If an employee works beyond the standard 40 hours, they are entitled to overtime pay.
- Weekday Overtime: The overtime rate for weekdays is typically 1.25 times the employee's regular pay.
- Sunday & Holiday Overtime: For work on Sundays and public holidays, the rate increases to 1.5 times the regular pay.
Public & regional holidays
Your employees in Tonga are entitled to paid time off for public holidays. Here are the public holidays for 2025:
Date | Holiday |
---|---|
January 1 | New Year's Day |
April 18 | Good Friday |
April 21 | Easter Monday |
April 25 | ANZAC Day |
June 2 | Emancipation Day |
July 4 | King Tupou VI's Birthday |
September 17 | Crown Prince's Birthday |
November 4 | National Day |
December 4 | King Tupou I Day |
December 25 | Christmas Day |
December 26 | Boxing Day |
Hiring contractors in Tonga
Hiring independent contractors can seem like a flexible option, but it comes with risks. You must classify workers correctly. If a worker is treated like an employee but classified as a contractor, you could face penalties for misclassification.
An Employer of Record (EOR) can help you avoid these risks. An EOR acts as the legal employer for your workers in Tonga. They handle all the legal and HR tasks, including:
- Ensuring compliant employment contracts.
- Managing payroll and taxes.
- Providing statutory benefits.
Using an EOR allows you to hire in Tonga without setting up a local entity, saving you time and money while ensuring you follow all local labor laws.
Compensation and Payroll in Tonga
Navigating compensation and payroll in Tonga requires understanding a few key practices. Salaries are lower than in many Western countries, and there are specific rules for things like overtime and retirement contributions. For foreign companies, this can make hiring in Tonga affordable. An Employer of Record can help ensure you follow all local labor and tax laws.
Payroll cycles & wage structure
In Tonga, the payroll cycle is typically monthly, but it can also be daily, weekly, or bi-monthly as specified in the employment contract. Salaries vary based on the industry, the employee's experience, and their location. For example, workers in tourism or government jobs in urban areas tend to earn more.
Overtime & minimums
The legal work week in Tonga is 40 hours, with an 8-hour workday. If you work more than the standard hours on a weekday, you get paid 1.25 times your regular rate. For work on Sundays and public holidays, the rate increases to 1.5 times the regular pay. The minimum wage is TOP 2.00 per hour.
Employer taxes and contributions
Employers in Tonga contribute to the National Retirement Fund for their employees. This fund covers old age, disability, and survivor benefits.
Contribution | Rate |
---|---|
National Retirement Fund | 10% of employee's salary |
Employee taxes and deductions
Employees also contribute a portion of their salary to the National Retirement Fund.
Contribution | Rate |
---|---|
National Retirement Fund | 5% of employee's salary |
How an Employer of Record, like Rivermate can help with payroll taxes and compliance in Tonga
An Employer of Record (EOR) manages monthly payroll calculations, employer contributions, and tax filings in-country on your behalf. Rivermate handles registrations, payslips, statutory reporting, and remittances to authorities so you stay compliant with local rules and deadlines—without setting up a local entity. Our specialists monitor regulatory changes and ensure correct rates, thresholds, and caps are applied to every payroll cycle.
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Benefits and Leave in Tonga
In Tonga, your approach to employee benefits and leave is built on a foundation of mandatory requirements and common practices. The law sets the minimum standards you must follow for things like paid time off and retirement contributions. Beyond these legal requirements, many companies offer additional benefits to attract and keep the best talent. Understanding both the required and the expected benefits is key to building a strong team in Tonga.
Statutory leave
Here are the legally required types of leave you need to provide your employees in Tonga.
- Annual Leave: After 12 months of continuous service, your employees are entitled to a minimum of 10 paid days off.
- Sick Leave: You should provide at least 7 paid days for sick leave each year. You can ask for a medical certificate if an employee is sick for more than a couple of days.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are generally entitled to 6 weeks of paid maternity leave. To be eligible, they usually need to have worked for you for at least 12 months.
Public holidays & regional holidays
Your employees in Tonga are entitled to a paid day off for public holidays. If they work on a public holiday, you'll need to pay them a higher rate.
Holiday | Date |
---|---|
New Year's Day | January 1 |
Good Friday | April 18 |
Easter Monday | April 21 |
Anzac Day | April 25 |
Emancipation Day | June 2 |
Birthday of His Majesty King Tupou VI | July 4 |
Birthday of Crown Prince Tupouto'a-'Ulukalala | September 17 |
National Day | November 4 |
King Tupou I Day | December 4 |
Christmas Day | December 25 |
Boxing Day | December 26 |
Note: Holiday dates can sometimes change. Always check the official government announcements for the most current information.
Typical supplemental benefits
To be a competitive employer, you'll want to offer more than just the basics. Here’s a look at the difference between what's required by law and what's commonly offered.
Statutory Benefits | Non-Statutory (Supplemental) Benefits |
---|---|
Minimum of 10 days paid annual leave | Additional paid time off |
At least 7 days of paid sick leave | Private health insurance |
6 weeks of paid maternity leave | Paternity leave |
Contributions to the Tonga National Retirement Fund | Flexible work hours |
Paid public holidays | Performance bonuses |
How an EOR can help with setting up benefits
Setting up a benefits plan in a new country can be tricky. An Employer of Record (EOR) makes it simple.
An EOR already has a full understanding of Tonga's labor laws and common practices. We handle all the details of your team's benefits and leave, making sure you are compliant with all local regulations. We can also advise you on what supplemental benefits will make your company an attractive place to work. This frees you up to focus on growing your business.
How an Employer of Record, like Rivermate can help with local benefits in Tonga
Rivermate provides compliant, locally competitive benefits—such as health insurance, pension, and statutory coverages—integrated into one EOR platform. We administer enrollments, manage renewals, and ensure contributions and withholdings meet country requirements so your team receives the right benefits without added overhead.
Termination and Offboarding in Tonga
When your company and an employee part ways in Tonga, you need to follow a clear process. This involves giving the correct notice, paying any final wages and entitlements, and keeping detailed records. The main goal is to handle the exit fairly and according to the law to avoid any legal problems.
Notice periods
You must give your employees written notice before their employment ends. The amount of notice depends on how long they have worked for you.
Length of Service | Minimum Notice Period |
---|---|
Up to 1 year | 1 week |
1 to 3 years | 2 weeks |
3 years or more | 1 month |
You can also pay the employee their regular wages instead of having them work the notice period.
Severance pay
In Tonga, you may need to pay severance if you are making a role redundant or in cases of unfair dismissal. It is not typically required for employees who resign or are terminated for misconduct.
A common way to calculate severance is two weeks of basic pay for every full year the employee has worked for you. This is based on their regular salary at the time of termination, not including overtime or other allowances.
How Rivermate handles compliant exits
When you use an Employer of Record like Rivermate, we take care of the entire offboarding process for you. We make sure that every termination is handled correctly and in compliance with Tongan law.
Here’s what we do:
- Ensure correct notice periods: We verify the employee's length of service to determine the right notice period.
- Calculate final pay: We handle the calculation of all final wages, including any unused leave and severance pay.
- Manage documentation: We prepare all necessary termination documents to keep you compliant.
- Reduce your risk: Our team of local experts understands the details of Tongan employment law, which helps protect you from legal issues.
We manage these technical details so you can focus on running your business.
Visa and work permits in Tonga
Navigating the visa and work permit process in Tonga requires careful planning. If you intend to work in Tonga, you need an Employment Visa. This applies whether you are working in the public or private sector, or even doing volunteer work. The process involves your employer being registered locally and demonstrating that a Tongan national cannot fill the position.
Employment visas & sponsorship realities
An Employer of Record (EOR) can sponsor work permits in Tonga, provided it is a legally registered entity within the country. The Tongan government requires that the sponsoring employer be registered with the Ministry of Labour. This makes using an EOR a practical route if you don't have your own local entity.
The most common visa for foreign workers is the Temporary Work Permit. This permit is tied to your specific job and employer. If you change jobs, you will likely need to apply for a new permit.
The application process for an employment visa typically includes:
- A completed application form
- A valid passport
- Recent passport photos
- A medical report
- A police clearance certificate
- An offer of employment from a Tongan-registered business
- A letter of support from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries
Expect the process to take around one month.
Business travel compliance
For short-term business visits, you will need a Business Visa. The requirements are similar to the employment visa and include an application form, passport photos, a valid passport, a medical report, a police record, character references, and a letter of support from the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries.
If you are traveling to Tonga on a visitor's visa with the intention of setting up a business, you must inform Tonga Immigration of your plans in writing beforehand. Failure to do so can result in a significant fee.
Tonga does not currently offer a specific visa for digital nomads. If you plan to work remotely from Tonga, you should consult with immigration authorities to determine the appropriate visa, as working on a visitor visa is generally not permitted.
How an Employer of Record, like Rivermate can help with work permits in Tonga
Navigating work permits can be complex and time‑sensitive. Rivermate coordinates the entire process end‑to‑end: determining the right visa category, preparing employer and employee documentation, liaising with local authorities, and ensuring full compliance with country‑specific rules. Our in‑country experts accelerate timelines, minimize refusals, and keep you updated on each milestone so your hire can start on time—legally and confidently.
Frequently asked questions about EOR in Tonga
About the author

Lucas Botzen
Lucas Botzen is the founder of Rivermate, a global HR platform specializing in international payroll, compliance, and benefits management for remote companies. He previously co-founded and successfully exited Boloo, scaling it to over €2 million in annual revenue. Lucas is passionate about technology, automation, and remote work, advocating for innovative digital solutions that streamline global employment.