China → Tokelau: do you need a visa?

Visitor Entry Permission (Taupulega Approval)

Documents

• Valid passport (Samoa requires 6+ months validity at entry; carry it for the Tokelau leg too)
• Advance written permission from the Taupulega (village council) of the atoll to be visited, arranged before departure via the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office or the relevant Taupulega office
• Confirmed Mataliki boat booking between Apia and Tokelau (fortnightly service; schedules change and trips can be disrupted by medical evacuations or weather)
• Pre-arranged accommodation: village guesthouse or homestay confirmed through the Taupulega office (e.g. Luana Liki Hotel on Nukunonu where available)
• Return or onward ticket from Samoa plus a bank statement (Samoa entry requirements for stays under 60 days)
• Any required New Zealand transit visa if flights route via Auckland — check with Immigration New Zealand before booking
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance including provision for medical evacuation by air
• For work or official visits: employment contract or host invitation from the Tokelau government department, village, or organization
• Police clearance certificate and medical/immunisation records where required by TALO (application guidance lists an NZ$100 component)

FAQ

Is Tokelau currently accepting visitors?
A visitor-permit suspension has been reported in force through 2026, with TALO refusing visitor applications. Confirm the current position with the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office (TALO) or the host Taupulega before making any bookings, and do not book non-refundable travel until permission is secured.

Do I need a visa for Tokelau?
There is no Tokelau visa or visa-on-arrival. All non-resident visitors need advance permission from the Taupulega of the atoll they will visit, arranged through the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office (TALO) or the Taupulega office. Tokelau has no established tourist industry; most visitors are Tokelauans or descendants visiting family.

How do I get to Tokelau and what does the boat cost?
There is no airport. Fly to Apia, Samoa, then travel by sea on the government vessel Mataliki, which sails roughly fortnightly and takes around 24-32 hours depending on the atoll. A return boat fare is approximately NZ$306. Schedules change and passengers can be stranded by disruptions such as medical evacuations, so keep plans flexible.

Where do visitors stay?
Stay in village guesthouses, homestays, or the Luana Liki Hotel on Nukunonu (around NZ$50 per person per day including meals). Atafu and Fakaofo have guest accommodation arranged through the Taupulega offices — confirm it before you travel, as there are no walk-in hotel options.

What are the Samoa and New Zealand transit requirements?
All nationalities traveling to Samoa for under 60 days do not need a pre-arranged entry permit but must hold a 6+ month passport, a return/onward ticket, and a bank statement, with no deportation record or health risk. Longer Samoa stays need a permit from a Samoan mission. Separately, check whether your nationality needs a New Zealand transit visa if you connect through Auckland.

Can I work in Tokelau?
Foreign workers (e.g. teachers, health staff, contractors) take up posts with Tokelau government departments or villages and travel on the same village-permission pathway with their employment or host approval in place. There is no separate Tokelau work-visa category; confirm the current hiring and entry formalities with TALO and the employing department.

Do New Zealand citizens need permission?
Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory within the Realm of New Zealand and its people are New Zealand citizens. Non-resident visitors of any nationality — including New Zealand citizens without village ties — should still arrange advance permission and accommodation with the host atoll before traveling.