Government Approval for Journalists

PAPUA NEW GUINEA GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FOR JOURNALISTS

Journalists who wish to travel to Papua New Guinea must submit a letter from their employer/sponsor, outlining the reasons for their travel, to the following government agencies:

· The OIC Media Unit of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (DPMNEC) being:

Ms TheresiaKumo, Acting Director (ITC), Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, P.O. Box 639 Waigani NCD Papua New Guinea. Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Telephone + 675 3276598 or + 6753276526 (media); and

· The OIC Media/Public Relations at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade(DFAT) being:

The Director, Media and Research Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, P.O. Box 422 Waigani, NCD, Papua New Guinea. Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Approval letters from these agencies must be submitted to PNG ICSA with the journalist's visa application. Click here for further information on other visa requirements for journalists.

Journalists and other people intending to visit the Manus Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers must seek entry approval from the RPC Administrator. Click here for further information.

General Information for Intending Visitors

All people wishing to travel to Papua New Guinea for work, business, study or tourism purposes must have an entry permit/Visa to enter the country.

Visas can be obtained from your nearest PNG diplomatic mission and issued for single or multiple entries depending on the purpose of the visit.

Visa on arrival is only available to eligible foreign nationals and under specific circumstances at Port Moresby's Jacksons International Airport and Tokua (Rabaul) International Airport. To see whether you are eligible to apply for a tourist or business visa on arrival, please click here.

How To Apply

All Applicants must:

• Complete and sign the correct Application Form¹
• Attach one passport size photograph (for APEC Business Card Applicants and Permanent Residence Applicants please provide two photos)
• Pay the required fee
• Provide any other documentary information as requested (refer to the appropriate entry category).
• Send or deliver your application to PNGICSA or the nearest PNG Diplomatic Mission* together with your valid
  
  passport

Fees

Please refer to the Entry Permit Fee for the correct fee (Kina). If applying outside PNG, please contact the nearest PNG Diplomatic Mission to obtain fees in local currency.

In the event that your application is unsuccessful, the fee is not refundable.

 In PNG

Applicants can pay the required fee at: 

• Department of Finance, Vulupindi Haus, Ground Floor (within NCD); or 
• Nearest IRC office or BMS outside NCD^2.

* Please note that individual receipts are required for each individual/family group.

Overseas

Applicants can pay the required fee at:

• Any PNG Diplomatic mission in your country of residence (if available); or
• Mail required fees together with application to the nearest PNG diplomatic mission within the region

If application is lodged at an Australian mission representing the PNG Government, the application fee will be collected on arrival in PNG.

² Fees cannot be paid at PNGICSA.

Passport Validity

Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended travel.

Medical & Character Requirements

• Medical examination report obtained from an approved doctor or hospital;
• HIV tests (Pathology Report required) for applicants over 16 years of age; and
• Chest X-ray (Radiology Report) for applicants over 16 years of age.

The prescribed medical Examination Report form and Radiology Form are available from the nearest PNG Diplomatic Mission. The doctor carrying out the examination and the radiographer carrying out the chest X-ray are required to complete and sign the relevant forms.

A police certificate must be obtained from your local police authority for all applicants 16 years of age and over (including dependents) intending to travel to PNG for a period of 6 months or more.

Dependent Family Members

Dependent family members (spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and ageing parents) must make separate application for an Entry Permit.

For specific requirements applying to dependent Entry Permits, please refer to the appropriate entry category.

Dependent children must be ordinarily Resident in PNG to qualify for a Dependent Entry Permit. Children who study abroad and only return to PNG during study breaks should apply for a Visitor Entry Permit each visit.

In limited cases, dependent Entry Permits may also be granted to children over the age 18 where they remain dependent on their parents. Such cases could include where the child suffers from a severe disability or where the child is continuing their education in PNG. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Where a principal Entry Permit ceases a dependent Entry Permit ceases at the same time or both, individuals must depart PNG. Where a dependent holds a Working Dependent Entry Permit they cannot make application to include a former Principal Entry Permit Holder as a dependent on their own Entry Permit. In such cases, individuals will need to make a fresh application.

De Facto Relationships

Persons seeking to enter PNG as dependents on the basis of a de facto relationship must provide:

• Statutory declarations from both parties indicating how long the relationship has been in existence
• A signed undertaking that the de facto partner will not seek employment while in PNG

Relationships of less than 12 months

Where the relationship has been in existence for less than 12 months, a short-term Dependent Entry Permit for a maximum validity of 12 months will be issued. At the conclusion of the 12 month period a further Entry Permit will be issued in accordance with the Principal's approved period of stay.

Relationships of more than 12 months

Where the relationship has been in existence for more than 12 months, a Dependent Entry Permit will be issued in accordance with the Principal's approved period of stay.

Entry and Re-entry Requirements

In accordance with Migration Regulation 1979, the holder of an Entry Permit must enter PNG within Six months of the Entry Permit being issued. Failure to enter PNG within Six months will render the Entry Permit invalid, and as a result, further application will have to be made.

As a matter of policy, existing Entry Permit holders (excluding Permanent Resident Entry Permit Holders) must not be absent from PNG for any period exceeding Six months. Entry Permit holders that are absent from PNG for Six months or more will need to make further application for an Entry Permit before seeking to return to PNG. In such cases, new health and character checks will be required.

Extension Of Entry Permits

Applications for extension of stay must be lodged well in advance of the expiry of the current Entry Permit. For specific requirements, please refer to the appropriate Entry Permit category.

Extensions are only issued to people currently in PNG. Extensions can not be granted while a person is outside the country.

Applicants should be aware that there is NO period of grace in relation to extensions.

Re-evidencing of Entry Permits

Passports must be valid for Six months or more to enable re-evidencing. Entry Permits will only be issued for the period of validity of the passport. Where the validity of the Entry Permit extends beyond the validity of the passport, a new Entry Permit will be evidenced once a new passport has been obtained. When an applicant obtains a new passport, a new Entry Permit will be issued for the balance of the period of stay free of charge.

Applicants will be required to complete an application form and provide a copy of the original work permit approval (if applicable).

Where an Entry Permit holder is outside PNG, re-evidencing can be undertaken by the nearest PNG Mission. The missions must obtain approval from PNGICSA Waigani before re-evidencing can occur.

Designated PNG International Ports Of Entry

Designated PNG international ports of entry are: 

• Jackson's International Airport;
• Daru;
• Wutung (Vanimo); and
• Kagamuga Airport, Mt Hagen.

Visitors or businesspersons wishing to enter PNG from ports other than the above must have a valid Entry Permit before entering PNG.

Entry Permit Cancellation

Entry permits may be cancelled by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration (DFAI) in accordance with Section 6 of the Migration Act 1978.

Grounds for Entry Permit cancellation include:

• The Entry Permit was issued in error.
• The Entry Permit holder has committed a criminal offence, whether or not that person has been convicted by a court of law.
• The Entry Permit holder has an association with another person who is reasonably suspected of being
  involved in criminal conduct.
• The Entry Permit holder is suffering from a disease which presents a danger to the community.
• The Entry Permit holder has breached the conditions of the Entry Permit – for example working unlawfully.
• The Entry Permit holder is engaging in illegal business activities.
• The Entry Permit holder does not have the financial means to support themselves.
• The Entry Permit holder’s presence in Papua New Guinea is considered to be a risk to Papua New Guinea’s
  national security (e.g. Terrorist Suspects).