How to get a visa for Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is one of the least explored countries in the world, and is an undiscovered wildlife paradise. Papua New Guinea has a population of over 8 million people. However, the culture of this country is still a mystery, with more than 836 different dialects among its inhabitants. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of primary resources, and due to the low level of human exploitation, it has one of the best ecosystems on the planet.

Located to the north of Australia and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, this island has completely virgin forests, and one of the most important coral barriers in the world, which is a delight for all sea and marine sports lovers. Papua New Guinea is trying to build its tourism and show the world the beauty of its land and the kindness of its people.

Do I need a visa to travel to Papua New Guinea?

Yes, an entry visa is required to travel to Papua New Guinea. Virtually all foreign nationalities must apply for a visa. Most nationalities can apply online, and you can check your nationality with this eligibility checker.

Types of visas for Papua New Guinea

You must apply for a visa that matches your reason for the trip to Papua New Guinea. There are different types of permits and visas available, including:

Visitor's permit (Easy Visitor)

This visa must be applied for by foreigners travelling to the country for tourism, sailors, crews, family visits or journalists. It is valid for 30 or 60 days, depending on the reason selected. It is for a single entry to the country.

Business visa

This visa must be applied for by all foreigners travelling to the country to carry out any kind of business, meetings, conferences or participate in commercial negotiations in the country. This visa does not allow the bearer to work in Papua New Guinea. It is a single-entry visa and can be applied for either 30 or 60 days.

Restricted Employment Visa (REV)

This visa must be applied for by foreigners who are going to carry out a paid job in the country, for stays not exceeding 60 days. It is not possible to extend this visa. If you wish to extend beyond the visa’s validity, then you will need to apply for a work permit in the country.

Special exemption visa, assistant or volunteer

This visa must be applied for by foreigners travelling to the country for religious, diplomatic, sports, volunteer, medical or academic research purposes. The validity of the visa will depend on the project for which it is requested.

Study visa

This visa must be applied for by any international foreigner who travels to the country to study or to carry out any type of training. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended for the entire duration of the training or studies. There are different types of visas, and you should contact the embassy nearest to your place of residence if you intend to reside in Papua New Guinea.

How do I apply for a Papua New Guinea visa?

How to apply for a visa for Papua New Guinea will depend on the one requested. Long-term visas, such as a residence or work visas, must be applied for in-person at the embassy. The rest of the short-term visas can be processed online, or upon arrival at the airport.

Applying online is recommended, as it is a swift process that will ensure your trip with your approved visa before living for Papua New Guinea. You can apply with a specialized company like Visagov.com, which will help you with all of the necessary paperwork.

Who needs a visa for Papua New Guinea?

Most foreign nationals must apply for a visa to enter Papua New Guinea. The visa on arrival at the airport cannot be applied for by people with refugee passports or overseas citizens that are required to apply in person at the embassy.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Papua New Guinea?

The required documentation for a visa to Papua New Guinea will depend on the specific visa you choose.

To process the visitor's visas, the entry requirements are:

• To have a valid passport for more than 6 months before entering the country.
• To have a receipt of the plane ticket showing the dates of departure from the country.
• To show proof of funds showing that you can be in the country without working, during your stay.

For study visas, the entry requirements are:

• To have a valid passport for more than 6 months before entering the country.
• To show a letter of invitation from the institution that invites us to train in the country or proof from the school you will attend.
• To show proof of economic funds that demonstrates that you can be in the country without working.

For business or temporary work visas, the entry requirements are:

• To have a valid passport for more than 6 months before entering the country.
• To show a letter of invitation from the company with which you are going to do business or collaborate in the country.
• To have a receipt of your plane ticket, showing the dates of entry and exit from the country.

For all other visas or permits, you will need to go to the embassy in person, as the requirements differ depending on the situation.

Can the Papua New Guinea visa be changed once it has been processed?

It is not possible to change the visa once processed or approved. If you need to make any changes, you will need to contact the immigration department so that they can modify any data on your visa. You will then have to pay the government fees again, and you will not be refunded.

How much does a visa to Papua New Guinea cost?

The cost of government fees for short term visas for business or visits is $50. For all other visas, you must contact the embassy for information about the cost of fees and processing.

How far in advance do I need to apply for a Papua New Guinea visa?

The visa can be applied for at any time, though it is advisable to apply at least 15 days before your planned arrival in the country. Once the application has been made, it takes between 3 and 5 working days for the visa to be processed. It is recommended to apply at least 1 month in advance if you intend to process your visa through the embassy.

What are the entry borders to Papua New Guinea?

The main access to Papua New Guinea is through one of its international airports. If you have applied for a visa online, or you intend to apply for the visa at the airport upon arrival, you must enter the country via either:

• Jacksons International Airport, located in the southeast of the country.
• Mount Hagen Airport, located in the east of the country.
• Vanimo Airport, located in the north of the country.
• Daru Airport, located on the small island of Daru.

In addition to these airports, if you have processed your visa in person at the embassy, you can access the country through:

• Wewak Airport, located in the north of the country.
• Madang Airport, located in the northeast of the country.
• Mendi Airport, located in the centre of the country.
• Airport Kavieng, located in the island New Ireland.
• Airport Chimbu, located in Kundiawa, in the east of the country.

Papua New Guinea is a country of islands in the Pacific Ocean. As such, another common way to get to the country is by cruise ship or boat. You can access the country by sea, through Port Moresby, located in the Gulf of Papua.

Do I need any vaccines to travel to Papua New Guinea?

The only mandatory vaccine to travel to the country is the yellow fever vaccine for people travelling to or from yellow fever endemic countries. There are recommended vaccines such as Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis A, Polio, Japanese Encephalitis, Influenza, Malaria, and Pneumococcal. It is always best to ask your doctor.

What is the currency of Papua New Guinea?

The official currency of Papua New Guinea is the Kina (PGK). You can exchange your currency on arrival at the airport, at official exchange offices or at the country's main banks. You can also withdraw money from cash machines in the capital, or in major cities such as Kavieng or Kokopo. Credit cards are widely accepted in the main cities.

When is the best time to travel to Papua New Guinea?

The climate of Papua New Guinea is warm all year round and marked by 2 distinct seasons:

• The dry season from May to September, with average temperatures of 25 to 29 degrees. This is the most enjoyable season to travel there. 
• The rainy season from the end of November to mid-March. This is when temperatures and humidity rise, and typhoons can occur, making it the least recommended time to visit Papua New Guinea.

Is it safe to travel to Papua New Guinea?

The people of Papua New Guinea are very friendly and careful with tourists. Although the country is experiencing good growth, it has a high poverty rate which has led to dangerous gangs. 

In the main cities, you have to be extremely at night, should not stop your vehicle in front of anyone who tries to stop you and women shouldn't travel alone. 

You must be cautious if you are travelling to the country for water sports, due to the risk of finding sharks. If water is not your thing, and you want to explore the jungle, you should always go into the jungle with an official guide and not separate from the route they have indicated. Under no circumstances should you travel alone through these areas, since you can easily get lost or encounter tribes of indigenous cannibals or crocodiles.

It is also recommended to be especially careful in areas where the Zika mosquito lives, as they can transmit diseases. You must always travel with insect repellent.

Important tips for travelling to Papua New Guinea

• Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended to get travel and medical insurance.
• It is advisable to register with your country’s relevant ministry for foreign travel.
• The consumption, traffic or possession of drugs, has high penalties and prison sentences in Papua New Guinea.
• Homosexuality is illegal in this country and can lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years.
• In more rural areas or rainforests you should watch out for crocodiles and venomous snakes.