Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea visa guide: visitor, business, work and residence
- 7 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Papua New Guinea work
All foreign visitors to Papua New Guinea need a visa, called an entry permit, issued by the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICA) under the Migration Act 1978. Applications are lodged online on the ICA eVisa portal, which offers six visa types and 21 classes, or on the paper Application for Entry Permit form. ICA's standard turnaround is 10 working days when all requirements are met, though an eVisa can be issued almost immediately.
Fees are charged in US dollars and paid only online through ICA's payment gateway or by credit or Visa debit card; American Express and cash are not accepted and fees are not refunded if the application fails. A visitor visa itself is free but the eVisa lodgement costs USD 50. Passports must be valid for at least six months, an entry permit must be used within six months of issue, and every arriving passenger must complete the PNG Digital Arrival Card, which can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival.
Citizens of a short list of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and most Pacific states, can get a visa on arrival. Everyone else applies online before travelling. Work visas are lodged by the employer through ICA's Sponsor Portal together with the work permit, and permanent residence is open after five years of lawful residence in defined categories.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday or visiting relatives: visitor visa, 60 days, online.
National of a visa-on-arrival country: Easy Visitor Permit for 30 or 60 days.
Meetings, negotiations or exploratory business trips: short-term business visa, single or multiple entry.
Paid employment with a PNG employer: working resident employment visa through the Sponsor Portal.
Formal study in PNG: student visa (formal education).
Five years of lawful residence in a qualifying category: permanent residence.
Transit of less than 7 hours at Port Moresby: no visa needed.
Visa types for Papua New Guinea
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visitor visa (tourist, own itinerary or tour package, visiting relative)
The visitor visa is for holidays, sightseeing, social or recreational trips and visits to relatives and friends.
Maximum stay: Usually 60 days from arrival
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Business visa (short-term single entry or multiple entry)
Short business trips to PNG for meetings, board meetings, conferences, negotiations or exploratory visits need a business visa.
Maximum stay: 30 days per entry (single entry)
Study and training
- Student visa Student visa (formal education, occupational trainee)
Foreign nationals who want to study in PNG apply for a student visa in the formal education class, used for exchange programmes and self-funded study, or the occupational trainee class for institution-sponsored training.
Processing time: 10 working days
Work
- Work visa Working resident employment visa (work visa with work permit)
Foreign nationals who will work in PNG's private sector need a work visa approved before travel.
Maximum stay: Six months to three years
Residence
- Permanent residence Permanent residence (resident long term)
Permanent residence is open to people who have lived lawfully in PNG for at least five years, hold a current entry permit, have a working knowledge of English or a PNG language and fit one of seven categories, such as chief executives of large companies, majority business owners, skilled professionals, missionaries, retirees over 55 or spouses of citizens.
Online travel permits
- Visa on arrival Visa on arrival and Easy Visitor Permit (30 or 60 days)
Visa on arrival is available only to citizens of the countries and territories on ICA's list, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Indonesia, Israel, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and other Pacific states.
Maximum stay: 30 or 60 days from arrival
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Refugee status determination and refugee visa
Papua New Guinea is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and runs its own refugee status determination procedure, developed with UNHCR, which no longer decides cases in PNG.
Validity: Refugee visa is permanent
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Papua New Guinea?
Yes. All foreign visitors need a visa. Citizens of the countries on ICA's visa-on-arrival list can get it at the border or as an Easy Visitor Permit online; everyone else applies for a visitor visa on the ICA eVisa portal before travelling.
How long does a PNG visa take?
ICA's turnaround time for all visa applications is 10 working days when all requirements are met; an eVisa can be issued almost instantly.
Do I need a visa to transit through Port Moresby?
Not if the transit is less than 7 hours. For a longer wait, ICA recommends applying for a visitor visa online.
How do I pay PNG visa fees?
Online through ICA's payment gateway or by credit or Visa debit card. American Express and cash are not accepted, and fees are not refunded if the application is refused.
What happens if I overstay?
ICA's fee notice lists overstay fees of PGK 3,000 for 29 to 60 days, PGK 5,000 for 61 to 365 days and PGK 10,000 from one year onwards, which may also involve prosecution.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.