UPDATE - REFORMS IN THE PNG IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP SERVICE 

As Acting Chief Migration Officer for the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service it is my pleasure to provide an update to members of the public on some of the very important reforms being progressed by our agency.  In doing so I would like to acknowledge the hard work and support of all the staff who work in the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICS). 

Implementation of Statutory Authority Arrangements

As members of the public and business community would be aware, the Government has been working actively to reform the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service so that it can act as an enabler for economic growth.

On 28 May 2010, the National Parliament unanimously passed the Immigration and Citizenship Service Bill which provided the legal framework for the establishment of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service as a statutory authority. On 15 July 2010 the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 entered into law.  As a result, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has become an independent, self accounting statutory authority which reports directly to the Minister with portfolio responsibility for Immigration. 

The implementation of these new arrangements is progressing well.  A new funding base is now in place that enables PNGICS to retain 50% of all revenue collections.  This money is being used for the purpose of paying staff salaries and improving the administration and effectiveness of the Authority.   Implementation of these new arrangements has required very close consultation and support from the Departments of Finance and Treasury in order to put in place effective and transparent financial management and accountability mechanisms.  This enhanced funding base is already providing significant benefits.  PNGICS officers have been deployed to overseas missions in four countries, and further deployments are planned.  Increased financial capacity has also enabled the organisation to put in place effective audit and financial control measures, including overseas mission consultations and audits relating to the collection of visa fees.

Staffing levels in PNGICS are also on the rise.  The number of staff in the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has increased in real terms by more than 100% over the past 2 years.  Around 50 full time staff now work for the Authority and over the coming two months more than 20 additional staff will come on board to assist with the increasing demand for services.  I would note the very strong support of the Minister for Public Service and the Department of Personnel Management in facilitating this expansion. 

In the longer the Government has approved a staff ceiling of 168 full time staff for the authority.  These staff will be based not only in PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Headquarters in Waigani, but importantly at key land border locations in PNG, at Jacksons International Airport and at diplomatic missions abroad.  This means that our capacity to manage our borders will be significantly enhanced.

The creation of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Advisory Board is also progressing.  The Board will be unique in that it will provide strategic advice to the Authority and to the Minister, particularly in relation to the needs of the business community and economy.  The Board will not, however, have responsibility for the day to day operations of the Authority.  That role falls to the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Executive Management Team, with the Chief Migration Officer reporting directly to the portfolio Minister.  

Responding to the Demands of the PNG LNG Project and the Business Community

As has previously been reported, an area of significant achievement for the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has been addressing the demands from the PNG LNG Project.  This work has been undertaken in very close collaboration and partnership with ExxonMobil and LNG contractors and has resulted in an innovative and effective processing model that significantly streamlines work and reduces client processing times.  

The model, which is now fully operational, makes significant use of the Border Management System and the placement of Immigration and Citizenship Service Officers at key locations abroad. It has been described as a “world’s best practice” model, a very pleasing outcome for the agency, and a reflection of the continuing very hard and dedicated work of staff. 

Consolidating and Enhancing the PNG Border Management System 

The PNG Border Management System (or BMS) continues to contribute to operational and processing efficiencies in the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service.  The system is enhancing integrity of the visa assessment process and has resulted in increased capacity in a number of other important areas.   

Visa approvals are now being transmitted electronically between PNGICS Head Office, Jackson’s International Airport and missions in Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and China every hour.  As a consequence, visa approval transmissions are now occurring in real time, reducing delays in the visa application and approval process and importantly, providing real time information and intelligence to primary line officers at Jacksons International Airport.  What this means is that the capacity to take advantage of weak systems and processes has been significantly reduced.  

The next phase of the BMS project is now approaching and will see enhanced data management and reporting functionality.  This will enable PNGICS to undertake more effective evidence based planning for the future.  

Where the BMS is deployed, visa application approvals are proceeding well within standard processing times. This is because there are dedicated PNGICS officers in these missions.  Overseas missions that do not have BMS are, however, unable to process visas in the same timeframes.  This is an issue that is acknowledged and will be addressed through strategic deployments to other missions in the medium to longer term.

Legislative and Policy Review Processes

Legislative and policy reform is a significant priority for the government and PNGICS. I have been tasked by the Minister to commence a review of key legislation and policies.  This process has already commenced, with the engagement of a legal expert to assist with scoping necessary changes. 

I hope that by the end of 2011 the review will be before government providing a foundation for significant future reform. 

The Government recently approved regulation changes in relation to both the Business Entry Permit Category and the Permanent Residence Entry Permit Category that will enhance our existing visa regime. 

Under the new arrangements, access to Permanent Residence for CEOs of major companies employing more than 250 staff will be significantly enhanced.  This stems from an announcement made by the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration in 2010.  Other changes will include more stringent criteria in relation to the professional and business categories, the creation of a dedicated missionary category and the retirement of the stand alone Melanesian Spearhead Group Category. MSG nationals are of course still very welcome to apply for permanent residence and this change aligns PNG’s requirements with those of our Melanesian brothers. .  These new arrangements will take effect from 1 July 2011.

Important changes to the Business Visa regime are also approaching.  Effective from 1 July 2011 the Short Term Multiple Entry Visa will no longer be available on arrival. This visa will only be available from PNG Missions abroad and applicants must demonstrate that they are intending only to undertake bona fide business visit-related activities. 

To facilitate genuine business travellers, a new Single Entry Business Entry Permit has been established.  This visa will be available on arrival for eligible nationals for stay periods of up to 30 days.  This visa will also be available from PNG missions abroad.  Extensions will not be permitted under any circumstance.  This visa class has been established as a means of providing an efficient short term mechanism for genuine business travellers. 

APEC Business Travel Card

PNG Business people are very much encouraged to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card.  The card provides substantial benefits, including not having to apply for multiple visas for multiple APEC economies.  To date over 80,000 APEC Business Travel Cards have been issued worldwide. Of these, only 40 have been issued to PNG citizens.  I encourage all PNG business people to consider taking advantage of this important regional initiative.

Foreign holders of an APEC Business Travel Card can continue to enter PNG for periods of up to 60 days under current arrangements.  However, if an individual is detected working in Papua New Guinea on an APEC Business Travel Card, endorsement to enter PNG will be immediately withdrawn and the matter will be reported to the individual’s home economy. 

Passport Services

Passport Services continue to operate in an efficient manner with passport processing occurring within the 21 day mandated processing timeframe.  

A number of passports remain with the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Custody due awaiting collection.  A full list of overdue passports awaiting collection will be available very shortly on the PNGICS website at: www.immigration.gov.pg 

Official and Diplomatic Passports

All Government Employees are reminded that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade retains responsibility for Diplomatic and Foreign Official Passports.  Applications for these types of passports will only be accepted with the appropriate DFAT endorsement and approval. 

Onshore sponsorship and offshore entry permit process

Foreign nationals being sponsored by a company or organisation in PNG must undergo a two stage process.  Firstly a sponsorship must be lodged and assessed by PNGICS Headquarters in Waigani. If the sponsorship is approved, the foreign national must then apply for the entry permit – which includes an assessment of their health and character – at the appropriate offshore PNG mission.  It is important to understand that a sponsorship approval notification from Waigani does not mean the entry permit has been approved because the offshore process still needs to take place.  Indeed, if the applicant does not meet the further requirements offshore, the entry permit may be refused. While my officers endeavour to ensure this process occurs in a timely manner it is not instantaneous. Having to respond to enquiries from sponsors and applicants expecting immediate entry permit grant is counterproductive for clients as it serves to slow down both stages of the process. 

Information provided by members of the public

From time to time my agency receives information from the public alleging misdemeanours on the part of foreign nationals in PNG, often accompanied by a request for PNGICS to immediately remove the foreign national from the country. While every allegation is treated seriously, it is important to note that PNGICS must operate within the bounds of the law and must apply natural justice principles and abide by court processes.  Also, in many instances PNGICS action is properly subject to and may depend on the advice and action of other government and law enforcement agencies.  To not operate within the law or observe proper process could expose the government to legal action or liability claims.

New Visa Labels

As many frequent travellers are now aware, PNGICS has now implemented new security visa labels.  This is the first time that PNG has used labels with technologically enhanced security features. 

The new labels reflect the modernization of our immigration and border security capacity more broadly and will contribute significantly to minimizing the risk of visa label fraud occurring. 

In conclusion, as acting Chief Migration Officer it is my responsibility to ensure that the PNGICS serves the people of PNG well through a quick and efficient passport service and by facilitating the entry of bona fide visitors, tourists, business people, foreign workers and permanent residents. At the same it must ensure non bona fide foreigners are not permitted entry or are identified, located and removed expeditiously.  Well-managed immigration services benefit national development, the economy, business, communities and families.  

The reforms to the PNG ICS detailed above are all designed to make PNGICS a well-managed, effective and efficient organization, capably and demonstrably meeting its important public service responsibilities.

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