Papua New Guinea Visa Policy

There are different types of visas available for Papua New Guinea. You will be required a visa even if you are transiting through Papua New Guinea unless you are from a visa-exempt group.

You can realize your planned trip to Papua New Guinea by obtaining a Papua New Guinea visa. Foreign nationals can apply to Papua New Guinea short-term visas e-Visa, via the embassy, or on arrival for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term purposes).

You can apply for Papua New Guinea visa through this website.

*Passport holders may also apply for the Easy Visitor Permit (60) days.

**You may be required to provide your documentary evidence to border officials when entering Papua New Guinea.

Furthermore, you can also apply for a visa in Papua New Guinea embassies/consulates.

Required Documents for Papua New Guinea E-visa

1. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your stay in Papua New Guinea.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or three free “visa pages.”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

• Format – JPG, PNG
• Minimum 1 MB
• Maximum 10 MB
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• The photo should present a full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles.
• Center head within frame and present full head from the top of hair to bottom of the chin
• The background should be a plain, light-coloured or white background.
• No shadows on the face or the background.
• Without borders.

3. Copy of the Main Page of Your Passport

4. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation (return ticket must be included)
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

5. Corona Virus Medical Clearance Certificate

6.Complete Corona Virus Supplementary Health Form

7. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

• For Easy Visitor Permit (30 days):
  • This visa is for those wishing to visit Papua New Guinea for holidays, sightseeing, social or recreation purposes, and to visit relatives and friends. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 30 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • Holders of easy visitor permit (30 days) are responsible for ensuring the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before the journey begin. If you try to enter Papua New Guinea without any authority, there may be adverse consequences.
  • An extension of stay is not permitted.
    • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)
• For Easy Visitor Permit (60 days):
  • This visa is for those wishing to visit Papua New Guinea for holidays, sightseeing, social or recreation purposes, and to visit relatives and friends. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • Holders of easy visitor permit (60 days) are responsible for ensuring the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before the journey begins. If you try to enter Papua New Guinea without any authority, there may be adverse consequences.
  • An extension of the stay may be allowed in limited situations. Please contact ICA to discuss your circumstances and your eligibility for an extension.
    • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

Please check your eligibility through this website.

• For tourist - own itinerary:
  • This visa is for holidaymakers who are planning to visit Papua New Guinea for holidays and sightseeing. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey.
  • An extension of the stay may be allowed. Please contact the Authority to discuss your specific circumstances.
    • Evidence of return/ongoing ticket
    • Evidence of funds (if required).
• For tourist - tour package:
  • This visa is for tour groups that intend to visit Papua New Guinea under organized tour groups for sightseeing. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey.
  • An extension of the stay may be allowed. Please contact the Authority to discuss your specific circumstances.
    • Letter from PNG based Sponsor
    • Evidence of return/ongoing ticket
    • Evidence of funds (if required)
• For journalist:
  • This visa is for individuals who intend to participate in paid or unpaid journalistic activities in Papua New Guinea. This visa valid for a single entry and the period of stay approved by the Office of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PMO) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
• Applications can be made:
  • Online for eligible nationalities
  • At any Papua New Guinea Diplomatic Post or Mission prior to travel

You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey. An extension of the stay may be allowed in limited situations. Please contact ICA to discuss your circumstances and your eligibility for an extension.

• Evidence of return/on-going tickets
• Letter from sponsoring organization and list of facilities
• Evidence of approval by
  • The Media Unit of the Prime Minister's Office and the National Executive Council
  • Media/Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Please check your eligibility through this website.

• For visitor - sportsperson:
• This visa is for professional sportsmen who want to enter Papua New Guinea to compete in a sports competition or event. You may also use this visa if you represent your sport in an official capacity for promotion and development purposes. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
• You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa before you start your journey. If you try to enter Papua New Guinea without any authority, there may be adverse consequences.
• No extension of stay for this class of visas is allowed.
  • Return/onward ticket
  • Letter from PNG based Sponsor
    • A letter from a sports associate in Papua New Guinea indicating the purpose of the visit, the duration of the stay, the location of the sporting activity, and the proposed frequency of visits.
• For tourist - visiting relatives:
  • This visa is for individuals who intend to visit members of their families in Papua New Guinea. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey.
  • An extension of the stay may be allowed. Please contact the Authority to discuss your specific circumstances.
    • Letter from PNG based Sponsor
    • Evidence of return/ongoing ticket
    • Evidence of funds (if required)
• For tourist - yachtsperson:
  • This visa is for the captain/owner of a yacht intending to visit Papua New Guinea. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey.
  • Extensions may only be granted once for a maximum of thirty (30) days. For further details, please contact the Authority.
    • Proof of ownership of vessel/captain's papers
    • Ship's log for details of crewmembers
    • Customs clearance form
• For business short-term single entry:
  • This visa is for individuals who are planning to visit Papua New Guinea for short-term business activities. To be issued this visa, you must show that you are a true business person or are engaging in an approved job, with a view to leaving Papua New Guinea at the end of your stay. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 30 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • Business activities that may be permitted (non-exhaustive list) include:
    • To carry out an official trade mission recognized by the Government of Papua New Guinea.
    • Selling goods and services in Papua New Guinea.
    • Purchase goods and services from Papua New Guinea
    • To support a major infrastructure development project approved by the Government of Papua New Guinea.
    • Negotiate or discuss the establishment, expansion, or wind-up of a business in Papua New Guinea
    • To carry out any business with authorized representatives of a foreign company, body, or person.
• Applications can be made:
  • Online for eligible nationalities
  • At any Papua New Guinea Diplomatic Post or Mission prior to travel
  • Upon arrival at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby, for eligible passport holders.
• You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey.
• No extension of stay for this class of visas is allowed.
• Letter from PNG based Sponsor
  • Letter from a business associate in Papua New Guinea setting out the purpose of the visit, duration of stay, location of the business, and proposed frequency of visits
• For restricted employment visa (REV):
  • This visa is intended for individuals with specialized skills and technical expertise not available in Papua New Guinea. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of 30 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
  • This visa is limited to four (4) entries per calendar year. Travel to restricted facilities in the country without the permission of the Chief Migration Officer shall be prohibited.
  • No extension is allowed for this class of visas.
  • Change of status to another type of visa is not allowed.
    • Return/onward ticket
    • Letter from Approved Sponsor
      • Letter from a business associate in Papua New Guinea indicating the purpose of visit, duration of stay, location of the business, and proposed frequency of visits

8. When You Arrive in Papua New Guinea, You Must Present also:

• Printed Papua New Guinea e-Visa
• Travel Itinerary including:
  • Flight reservation
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

Processing Time for Papua New Guinea E-visa

The average processing time for Papua New Guinea E-Visa is 3-5 working days.

Papua New Guinea E-visa Application Fee

There is no Migration Service Fee (MSF) payable for the Visitor Permit, however, applications lodged via the e-Visa portal will attract a fee of 50 USD (fee can vary depending on the category of e-Visa, on your country and nationality).

*All MSF and online lodging fees are levied in US Dollars and converted to Australian Dollars (using the published conversion rate) prior to the finalization of the registration of the application. The total fees payable will be provided by the system prior to entering the payment details in the e-Visa portal, or you will be advised by the ICA officer when submitting your application in person.

 Where to Apply for Papua New Guinea E-visa Application?

You will apply to Papua New Guinea e-Visa online. You can apply for an e-Visa through this website.  

Required Documents for Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes E-visa

1. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your stay in Papua New Guinea.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or three free “visa pages.”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

• Format – JPG, PNG
• Minimum 1 MB
• Maximum 10 MB
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• The photo should present a full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles.
• Center head within frame and present full head from the top of hair to bottom of the chin
• The background should be plain light-coloured or white background.
• No shadows on the face or the background.
• Without borders.

3. Copy of the Main Page of Your Passport

4. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation (return ticket)
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

5. Corona Virus Medical Clearance Certificate

6. Complete Corona Virus Supplementary Health Form

7. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

• For aid worker/volunteer:
  • This visa is for individuals who intend to visit Papua New Guinea to undertake activities sponsored or facilitated by the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) organization. This visa expressly prohibits the holder from taking part in paid work.
  • This visa valid for a single entry and a period of up to 12 months from the day of the first arrival in Papua New Guinea.
• Applications can be made:
  • Online for eligible nationalities
  • At any Papua New Guinea Diplomatic Post or Mission prior to travel
  • You are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before you begin your journey.
  • An extension of the stay may be allowed in limited situations. Please contact ICA to discuss your circumstances.
    • Letter of support from YWAM
• For Foreign official- short term:
• This visa is for individuals who intend to visit Papua New Guinea to conduct official government business. This visa valid for a single entry and a period of thirty 60 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
• Travel to restricted facilities in the country without the permission of the Chief Migration Officer will be prohibited.
• You are responsible for ensuring the appropriate visa or right to obtain a visa when you arrive in Papua New Guinea before the journey begins. If you try to enter Papua New Guinea without any authority, there may be adverse consequences.
• The extension of the stay is not allowed.
  • Letter from PNG based sponsor
    • Letter from a business associate in Papua New Guinea indicating the purpose of visit, duration of stay, location of the business, and proposed frequency of visits

8. When You Arrive in Papua New Guinea, You Must Present also:

• Printed Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes e-Visa
• Travel Itinerary including:
  • Flight reservation
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

Processing Time for Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes E-visa

The average processing time for Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes e-Visa is 3-5 working days.

Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes E-visa Application Fee

Visa fees are the following (please see below) (fee can vary depending on the category of Special Exemption Visa Classes e-Visa, on your country and nationality).

*All MSF and online lodging fees are levied in US Dollars and converted to Australian Dollars (using the published conversion rate) prior to the finalization of the registration of the application. The total fees payable will be provided by the system prior to entering the payment details in the Special Exemption Visa Classes e-Visa portal, or you will be advised by the ICA officer when submitting your application in person.

 Where to Apply for Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes E-visa Application?

You will apply to Papua New Guinea Special Exemption Visa Classes e-Visa online. You can apply for a Special Exemption Visa Classes e-Visa through this website.

Some of the visitors to Papua New Guinea can obtain Visa on Arrival. Eligible nationals to this visa type can obtain Papua New Guinean visa in two different ways:

* The countries indicated above with an asterisk (*) are not eligible for a visa upon arrival until the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding offering a reciprocal visa on arrival facilities.

Also:

French Territories (as French Passport Holders)

• French Polynesia
• Guadeloupe
• New Caledonia
• Reunion
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Martin (French part)
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Wallis and Futuna

New Zealand Passport holding countries/territories

• Cook Islands
• Niue
• Tokelau

Dutch Territories (as Dutch passport holders)

• Aruba
• Curacao
• Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
• Bonaire
• Sint Eustatius
• Saba

US Territories (holders of US passports)

• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands (U.S.)

UNO ‐ UN Organisation

UNA ‐ UN Agency

You can check your eligibility through this website (official governmental website).

Required Documents for Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival

1. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your stay in Papua New Guinea.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or three free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Travel Itinerary

• Flight tickets (Return ticket must be included)
• Accommodation confirmation/reservation (hotel booking, house contract, apartment reservation, etc.)
• Or Invitation letter by your host

3. Proof of Financial Sources

• Bank statements, cash, traveler's cheques, vouchers, etc.

*Additional documents can be required by the border control.

Processing Time for Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival

The average processing time for Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival is a few minutes.

Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival Fee

There is no visa fee in case a person applying for Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival. The fee may vary depending on your nationality. Please contact the Embassy/Consulate to clarify the fee in advance.

Where to Apply for Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival?

You will apply for Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival Jackson's International Airport, Daru, Wutung (Vanimo), and Kagamuga Airport, Mt Hagen. 

Even if your country is exempt from visa requirements, if you intend to stay longer in Papua New Guinea, you will need to apply for a Permanent Residency in Papua New Guinea.

In some countries, Papua New Guinea's official embassies and consulates don’t process long-term visas, instead of visa applicants apply for short-term tourist visas for travelling to Papua New Guinea, and they only apply for Permanent Residency when they have already arrived in Papua New Guinea. This procedure can vary depending on your country of residence, nationality, and the policy of the embassy you apply for a visa.

The Papua New Guinea Permanent Residency is given to foreigners who wish to live in Papua New Guinea for a longer period of time or to have a temporary or Permanent Residency established.

In most cases, the embassy will issue a short-term visa for you in order to make possible your entrance to Papua New Guinea then, you will apply for a residence permit at Migration Department in Papua New Guinea, but your visa purpose must be the same as your reason to travel.

Permanent Residency is a type of visa granted to a successful applicant, which allows that person to reside indefinitely in Papua New Guinea without being a citizen.

Permanent Residency is a privilege and may be revoked at any time by the Minister if the holder is found to have abused or violated the conditions of the Permanent Residency.

There are eight (8) categories or classes of Permanent Residency:

• Majority Business Owner
• Skilled Professional
• Chief Executive Officer
• Spouse of Papua New Guinea Citizen
• Religious Worker
• Retired Person
• Adult Child of Citizen
• Accompany Permanent Residency Holder as Dependant

Applicants for Permanent Residency who meet the length of residence requirement must be:

• Chief Executive Officer of a large company with a workforce of 250 employees and an annual turnover of K10 million or more. Only companies which have been operating in Papua New Guinea for more than five years are to be considered. (Please provide certified documentary evidence).
• A person who is the majority owner of business investment in a registered resident business for a period of at least five years with net assets and a turnover exceeding K2 million and/or any investment in real property with net investment in PNG of at least K10 million. (Please provide certified documentary evidence).
• Missionaries and religious workers who have worked in Papua New Guinea for at least five years and have an income of not less than K25.000 per year or who have a written guarantee of financial support from a registered religious organization or church. (Please provide certified documentary evidence).
• A PNG citizen's "legally married spouse" where the relationship has been in place for at least five years. (Please provide certified documentary evidence).
• A person who is a qualified professional as a medical doctor, a medical specialist, or an educator. As evidenced by tertiary education qualifications and at least five years of professional work in the PNG field. (Please provide certified documentary evidence).
• A retired person over 55 years of age who can earn at least K50,000 a year and has worked in PNG for at least five years. (Please provide certified documentary evidence).
• A child of more than 19 years of age of a citizen of the PNG (in cases where the child does not have the nationality of the PNG) who works on a voluntary basis at a community or social level. (Please include certified documentary evidence)
• Accompanying another applicant as a person dependent on my own passport

A Permanent Residency visa will be issued with the same validity as the passport holder. If your passport expires, you will need to apply for a new Permanent Residency visa.

For more information, please check this website (official governmental website).

Papua New Guinea Permanent Residency Application Fee