PNG Immigration and Citizenship Becomes a Statutory Authority

 Download Public Notice on Statutory Authority  

In my public notice earlier this year, I outlined a range of initiatives being undertaken by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service (PNGICS) to enhance levels of client service and operational efficiency. In particular, I provided information regarding the transition of the PNGICS to an independent, self accounting statutory authority.

I am pleased to be able to advise that on 28 May 2010, the National Parliament unanimously passed the Immigration and Citizenship Service Bill which provides the legal framework for the establishment of the PNGICS as a statutory authority. On 15 July 2010, notification of the certified Bill was placed in the National Gazette, and the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 entered into law.

The PNGICS is no longer formally a part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While the organisation continues to report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, it no longer has any administrative or legislative accountability to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In that respect, all correspondence for the attention of the Chief Migration Officer should be addressed to the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service at PO Box 1790, Boroko, NCD or via fax to 325 5206.

In establishing the PNGICS as a statutory authority, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration the Hon. Samuel T. Abal, MP has made it clear that he wants the organisation to be able to respond more efficiently and effectively to the needs of the business community. In that regard, the new authority takes on increased powers and functions that will allow for the recruitment of additional staff and investment in additional resources to enhance client service responsiveness. Under the proposed arrangements for the new authority, the PNGICS will progressively expand its workforce to more than 160 full time staff, including increased staffing levels in key overseas missions and border posts.

The new statutory authority arrangements also provide a secure, stable and sustainable funding base for the PNGICS. Under the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 the PNGICS will retain 50% of all revenue collections for the purpose of paying staff salaries and improving the administration and effectiveness of the Authority. Importantly, the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 provides that where funds are unspent or uncommitted at the end of any financial year, that those funds shall be returned to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This provision seeks to ensure that as an organisation the PNGICS manages it funds effectively without accumulating significant surpluses which could be better applied in other important areas of government service.

The establishment of the PNGICS as a statutory authority will also see the creation of a new PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Advisory Board to provide strategic advice to the new organisation, particularly in relation to the needs of the business community and economy. Further information regarding the Advisory Board will be provided after arrangements for its establishment have been finalised.

2010 marks a new beginning for the PNGICS. Already the results are being seen with average visa and passport processing times now less than 15 working days. Through the establishment of the new statutory authority a strong foundation has been laid which will enable the PNGICS to grow and meet the increasing demands of all its clients.

Update – PNG Passports Awaiting Collection

A significant number of PNG passports remain with PNGICS awaiting collection. If you have made application for a passport in the past 12 months and have failed to collect it, please make immediate contact with PNGICS to arrange collection. Passports that have not been collected and which are more than 12 months old will be progressively destroyed.

Lost or Stolen PNG Passports

All passport holders are reminded that a PNG Passport is an extremely valuable document that must be protected and safeguarded against loss or theft. The PNGICS is seeing a disturbing increase in the number of applications for replacement passports due to loss or theft.

All passport holders are reminded that if a passport is lost or stolen that:

The loss must be immediately reported to the police;

• A statutory declaration outlining the nature and circumstances of the loss or theft must be completed;
• The police report and statutory declaration must be provided to the PNGICS within one week of completion; and
• All applicants for replacement passports will be required to attend an interview with the PNGICS to explain in person the nature of the loss or theft.

Passport holders who fail to abide by the above conditions may have subsequent passport applications refused. Remember – your PNG passport is a valuable document which remains the property of the Government of Papua New Guinea – protect it as you would your house keys, ATM card or any other valuable personal document.

Client Service Survey

As part of its drive to enhance levels of client service, PNGICS will shortly be commencing a six week client service survey. The purpose of the survey is to measure and assess current perceptions of client service while at the same time seeking ideas and views about where improvements can be made. If you would like to participate in the survey, please visit our client service counter at Moale Haus to collect a survey form or download from our website at www.immigration.gov.pg. All completed forms should be placed in the dedicated survey collection boxes in Moale Haus.

Review of Opening Hours and Client Service Days

Following the completion of the Client Service Survey, the PNGICS will be undertaking a review of existing opening hours and client service days.

New Counter Facilities

As many of our valued clients will be aware, dedicated counter facilities for visa operations were opened earlier this year. The new counter facilities provide increased windows for visa application lodgements, collections and enquiries. As a result of the changes, passport and visa operations are now separated providing for a more pleasant experience for our clients.

PNGICS Website

The PNGICS website can be accessed at http://www.immigration.gov.pg. The website contains information in relation to visa, passport and citizenship operations and includes downloadable forms. Many clients have expressed difficulty in downloading these forms. To download a form, click on the relevant link and wait for the download box to open. Once this occurs, simply click the save button to save the relevant form to your own computer.

Over the coming months we will be reviewing and updating the PNGICS website to provide more useful information and links for our clients.

Business Entry Permits

The PNGICS continues to see increasing evidence of individuals working illegally on Business Entry Permits. All members of the non-citizen community are reminded that employment on a Business Entry Permit is strictly prohibited. Where the PNGICS identifies an individual who is working illegally, steps will be taken to cancel the holder’s entry permit.

APEC Business Travel Card

PNG is a participant economy in the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme. Under the scheme, legitimate PNG business people may apply for an APEC Business Travel Card to facilitate travel for business related purposes to all participating APEC member economies. What this means is that PNG Business people can travel seamlessly between participating APEC economies without the need to apply for individual visas for each country.

Members of the business community who travel regularly within the Asia Pacific region are again encouraged to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card. Details regarding the application process are available on the PNGICS website. It is important to note that all applications for an APEC Business Travel Card must be accompanied by a letter of support from an approved business or industry organisation or association.

Processing times for the APEC Business Travel Card vary and are dependent on approval timeframes from participating economies. Once an application for an APEC Business Travel Card has been approved, the card is issued by the APEC Business Travel Card administrator and forwarded to PNGICS for collection by the applicant.

Proposed Regulation Changes – Permanent Residence and Business Entry Permits

The PNGICS is currently finalising proposed changes to the Migration Regulation 1979 for consideration by Government. These changes will include:

* Implementation of a new category of permanent residence for CEOs of large companies employing more than 250 employees;
* Changes to existing permanent residence categories, including a change to the skilled professional category to restrict access only to medical and education specialists and implementation of a dedicated category for missionaries;
* The introduction of a new short term 30 day single entry business entry permit which will be available on arrival for eligible applicants; and
* Amendments to the Short Term Multiple Entry Permit category to permit applications at offshore missions only and to remove the 30 day onshore extension option.

Further information regarding these changes will be provided to PNGICS clients once the necessary regulation changes have been finalised.

Restricted Employment Visa (REV)

The PNGICS in consultation with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations has recently finalised arrangements for the implementation of a new Restricted Employment Visa (REV). Under the new arrangements, businesses will be able to make application for a REV where urgent short term workers are required. These changes will take affect once Parliament has considered proposed amendments to the Employment of Non-citizens Act 2007 later this year. Further information will be provided to clients in due course.

Lodging Applications – Use of Agents

All PNGICS clients are reminded that they do not need to use an employment or visa agent to lodge an entry permit application. With new counter facilities and refined lodgement procedures, any individual can lodge an application at our client service counter in Waigani with ease.

If a client elects to engage an agent to assist, we recommend that a reputable and established agent be used. PNGICS is increasingly seeing agents who do not understand key aspects of migration law, who provide factually incorrect advice to their clients and who lodge incomplete and incorrect applications. As a result, many applications are rejected leading to delays for clients.

To lodge an application, simply follow the instructions on the application form and our lodgement checklist. Both of these documents are available from the PNGICS website.

The Border Management System

As advised in previous public notices, the PNGICS has implemented a new Border Management System for processing all visa applications and clearing passengers across PNG Borders. The new system is an important step in improving the integrity and management of PNG’s border management and visa processing capability.

The Border Management System is now operational in all of our high volume missions, including Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Manila. The implementation of the system has resulted in significantly reduced application processing times, enhanced integrity and assessment capabilities and seamless approval transmission.

Over the coming 12 months PNGICS will be looking at ways to enhance the BMS to provide even more effective levels of client service and operational efficiency.

Police and Medical Checks

I again remind all applicants for initial Working Resident Entry Permits of the requirement to obtain police and medical checks as part of the application process. These requirements are in place to protect our borders and citizens.

The medical and police check requirement is assessed at our overseas missions. In that context, the final decision on whether or not to grant an entry permit rests with the PNGICS or Foreign Affairs official at the mission.

The Implications of LNG – PNGICS Responds

As all Papua New Guineans are aware, the Liquefied Natural Gas Project will shortly commence construction resulting in a need for skilled foreign workers. At PNGICS, we recognise that the long term success of the LNG Project is dependent on these workers being able to enter PNG to undertake necessary construction work.

To that end, PNGICS has been working cooperatively with ExxonMobil and their partners to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to assess and approve visa applications quickly and efficiently, allowing for prompt mobilization of workers as and when they are required. While there is still more work to be done, PNGICS provides an assurance that it will be doing all that it can to process visas as quickly as possible without compromising national and border security.

At the same time, we also recognise that some other sectors within the business community have expressed a concern that LNG related activity will lead to decreased service levels for other non LNG related visa applicants. PNGICS undertakes to ensure that all entry permit and visa applications are treated fairly and equally and that where complete and correct applications are lodged, that applications are processed within the current 15 to 30 working day service standard.

Conclusion

To conclude, as we progress towards the end of 2010 the PNGICS is making strong gains built on a foundation of new legislative authority. As we transition to a fully functioning statutory authority, we will increase our staffing and service levels further, ensuring that all of our clients receive efficient and effective migration, passport and citizenship services.

Authorised by

Joseph Nobetau