Visiting Papua New Guinea can be troublesome and dangerous with most of the world’s governments advising their citizens to reconsider travel. However, navigating the Papua New Guinea visa policy is not that difficult as many nationalities are eligible for an eVisa through the official government website.
PNG Visa on Arrival (VOA) facilities are also slowly being reintroduced.
Quick Summary:
In this article, you will learn about the requirements for PNG Visa on Arrival, eVisa, tourist visa from the embassy and the procedure for obtaining them.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) requires all incoming foreigners to have a visa before entering the country. No visa exemption is in place.
Visa on arrival is available to all Pacific Island Nations and territories and a select few other nationalities.
Evisas for PNG allow stays of either 30 days (for 26 countries) or 60 days (for 70 countries). The eVisa is formally called the Easy Visitor Permit.
All other nationalities must obtain a tourist visa either from a Papuan embassy or online.
For the Easy Visitor Permit (eVisa), you are required to:
For the regular tourist visa (online), you must also submit:
If applying for a tourist visa at an embassy, they may request any number of other documents. Enquire in person for the precise list.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) was suspended in March 2020 for all qualifying nationalities. It has since been renewed for ordinary passport holders only from these 22 countries or territories:
*Chinese tourists must be a part of an organized tour group to be eligible for a visa on arrival valid for 30 days.
Visa on arrival allows stays of up to 60 days. Travelers must show an onward ticket.
Visa on Arrival is available only at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby and Wutung land border post (aka Vanimo) between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
For more information, read the Papua New Guinea Visa on Arrival to learn about the documents required, fees and the procedure to obtain VOA at the airport.
The Easy Visitor Permit is the easiest way to travel to Papua New Guinea. It’s often referred to as Papua New Guinea eVisa.
The eVisa can be applied online on the official PNG eVisa website.
The Easy Visitor Permit is valid for 6 months from the issue date and allows stays for either 30 or 60 days. Some countries are eligible for both durations but since the cost and the requirements are the same, they are only included in the 60-day tier in the lists below.
Some countries are eligible for a Visa on Arrival but may still opt to get an Easy Visitor Permit beforehand, thus they are included in the lists.
It costs 50$ to apply for either duration. Processing time can vary. Some travelers get their eVisa within 24 hours, while others have to wait a few days.
These are the required documents when applying for PNG eVisa:
For the cover letter, just a general idea of the plan is necessary: you do not need specific dates or a flight plan. Don’t book flights until you have the eVisa.
With an eVisa, you are allowed to enter Papua New Guinea only through the following border checkpoints:
For more information, read the Papua New Guinea e-Visa article for details on eligibility, photo requirements, visa fees and the application procedure.
Those not eligible for the Easy Visitor Permit can apply for a regular tourist visa online. The procedure and requirements of the Tourist Visa are quite similar to the Easy Visitor Permit. The only difference is that you must attach a return or onward ticket to your application for the tourist visa.
An alternative to the online visa application is to apply at a Papuan embassy or High Commission.
The ICA website allows you to see the closest Papuan missions to your location by clicking “Find Nearest Office”.
Papua New Guinea missions may allow you to apply for a visa over the counter or via email.
The basic requirements are the same as for the eVisa, however, the embassy may request any number of additional documents. It’s best to ask your nearest embassy for details.
Visa extensions are only given in limited situations. If allowed, a visa extension costs 150$ and requires a completed application form for entry permit extension.
For eligibility for visa extension, consult with Papuan Immigration.
Visa extensions are not permitted at all for the 30-day eVisa (Easy Visitor Permit).
You don’t need a visa if you are staying within the airport’s transit zone for less than 8 hours.
Anything longer than that and you’ll need a regular visa as PNG does not issue transit visas.
Yes, US citizens can travel to Papua New Guinea by obtaining an eVisa allowing stays of up to 60 days.
Yes, Canadians can travel to Papua New Guinea by obtaining an eVisa allowing stays of up to 60 days.
Indians must obtain a visa for Papua New Guinea before traveling. They are eligible for the 30-day eVisa.
The Visa on Arrival was suspended in March 2020 but is being slowly reintroduced. As of early 2024, ordinary passport holders of 22 countries and territories can get a Visa on Arrival at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby or Wutung Land Border Post.
Most online applications are processed within 4 days but could take longer in some cases. Some visas are granted automatically.
Processing time for applications in person depends on the embassy. For example, the High Commissioner in the UK processes visas within 4 working days whereas the embassy in Japan promises visa issuance within 1 week.
WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI
Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.
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