Application lodged

After Submitting a PNG Visa Application

Once the payment and lodgement step is complete, the application moves into ICA's decision process. Your job now is to keep the receipt and reference details safe, monitor the email address used for the application, respond to any request for more information, and avoid creating a second case simply because the first one is still pending.

Understand processing Check application status
  • ICA publishes a 10-working-day benchmark when requirements are met
  • Successful payment triggers automatic submission in the eVisa workflow
  • Automatically granted applications receive an Authority to Travel by email
  • Applications needing further consideration receive a later decision email

Immediately after lodgement

Save the payment and application records first

ICA's eVisa workflow says the application becomes ready for submission after the required details and documents are complete. Once the visa fee is paid, the application is automatically submitted and a receipt email is sent. citeturn900295search0

Save the receipt, application reference, payment reference and any confirmation page in one folder. These records are useful if a decision email is delayed or you need to contact ICA about the existing application.

Do not rely only on your inbox. Keep the receipt and any reference shown in the portal or account so you can identify the existing case even if an email is filtered into spam.

Processing time

Use ICA's published benchmark: 10 working days when requirements are met

ICA's current visa information booklet states that the turnaround time for visa applications is 10 working days when all requirements are satisfied. Applications can take longer when additional information, medical checks, character checks or other assessment steps are needed. citeturn900295search24

Complete application

A case with the correct visa class, readable documents and complete information is easier to assess within the published benchmark.

Further assessment

Some applications are not automatically granted and require additional consideration before ICA sends the final decision. citeturn900295search0

Different visa pathways

Work, sponsor and other specialist pathways can use different systems and longer processing structures, so do not apply the visitor benchmark blindly to every immigration product. citeturn900295search13turn900295search25

Avoid invented fast-track timelines. Current ICA material reviewed for this page does not support a general rule of “3–7 business days for tourist eVisas” or “7–14 business days for business/journalist visas.”

How to count the wait

Working days are not calendar days

A ten-working-day benchmark excludes weekends and can be affected by Papua New Guinea public holidays. If your application was lodged late in the week or close to a holiday period, the calendar wait will naturally be longer than ten ordinary days.

Avoid booking a critical same-week departure around the assumption that a visitor application will be approved immediately. Approval timing is not guaranteed simply because another applicant received a faster decision.

Track the case

Use ICA's Visa Approval Status tools

ICA provides an online visa approval status function, and the eVisa portal also supports login for existing applications. citeturn900295search6turn900295search5

Submitted The application has been lodged into the immigration process. This is not the same as approval.
Under consideration ICA may still be assessing the case or checking whether more information is required.
Approved ICA's public status tool can display an approved result and indicate that a visa grant letter has been emailed. citeturn900295search8
Decision communicated Use the email and decision document as the authoritative record of the outcome.
Do not invent portal status names. Labels such as “Awaiting Assessment,” “In Progress” or “Deferral” may appear in some systems, but they should not be presented as universal ICA eVisa statuses unless the current portal displays them for the case.

If ICA needs more information

Respond against the existing application

Further assessment does not automatically mean refusal. ICA may need additional documents or clarification before a decision can be made.

If you are asked for more evidence, follow the instructions in the message or portal. Use the existing application reference and provide exactly what is requested rather than creating a second application unless ICA specifically tells you to do so.

Read the request literally. If ICA asks for a new passport scan, provide a clean passport scan. If it asks for sponsor evidence, do not substitute an unrelated hotel booking.
Additional documents requested Upload documents Document help

Email monitoring

Watch the email account used for the application

ICA's eVisa process is email-driven at key stages. Receipt and decision communications are sent to the registered email address, so a mistyped or inaccessible email can create practical problems. citeturn900295search0

Inbox

Check for ICA messages and keep them with the application records.

Spam / junk

Automated immigration emails can be filtered, so check spam before assuming nothing was sent.

Valid address

ICA's enquiry form also requires a valid email so that the Authority can reply to questions. citeturn900295search3

Decision stage

The next email depends on how the application was assessed

ICA distinguishes automatically granted applications from cases that require further consideration. citeturn900295search0

Automatic grant

Authority to Travel

ICA says an automatically granted application receives an email containing an Authority to Travel document.

Further consideration

Final decision email

If the application needs further assessment, ICA sends the final decision by email when that assessment is complete.

Approved

Verify before travel

Compare the grant with the passport and read the visa class, validity and conditions before booking around the approval.

Not approved

Read the decision

Do not assume the reason. Use the decision notice and current ICA guidance to understand the outcome before considering another application.

If approved

Check the grant before you treat the application as finished

Verify the passport number, name, visa class and conditions against the passport you will use for travel. If the document contains a discrepancy, do not alter the PDF yourself; contact ICA before departure.

Save the original digital grant and keep a printed backup for convenience. Current public ICA material does not establish a universal rule that only a physical colour copy is accepted by airlines or border officers.

Verify your eVisa decision Prepare a travel copy Travel with eVisa

If the application is unsuccessful

Do not reduce every refusal to a typo or wrong visa class

Visa decisions can depend on the full circumstances of the application, including eligibility, evidence, immigration history, health, character and whether the selected category fits the proposed activity.

ICA's current visa booklet says visa fees are not refundable when an application is unsuccessful. That does not mean every payment component should be described identically in every context, so check the current ICA payment and refund terms for the fee you paid. citeturn900295search24

Do not automatically submit a new application. Read the decision and determine what actually needs to change. Reapplying with the same unresolved issue can simply reproduce the same problem.
Refused application Application support Review eligibility again

While the case is pending

Avoid actions that make the record harder to follow

Do not duplicate the application

A pending case is already in ICA's system. Use the existing reference unless ICA instructs you to lodge again.

Do not duplicate payment

If you are unsure whether payment was recorded, check the receipt and payment history before trying another transaction.

Do not change the travel purpose casually

If the trip changes from tourism to work or another activity, check whether the original visa class is still appropriate.

When to contact ICA

Use the enquiry channel when the existing case genuinely needs attention

ICA says its enquiry form is the quickest and most effective way to ask questions when the information cannot be found through the Visa Explorer. The form requires a valid email address so ICA can reply. citeturn900295search3

Contact is most useful when the published processing period has passed, the status appears inconsistent with a payment/receipt record, ICA has requested documents you cannot submit through the expected channel, or a decision document contains a material error.

A practical post-submission timeline

What to do without overchecking the application

Stage Useful action
Immediately after payment Save the receipt, references and submitted documents.
First few working days Monitor email and keep the account accessible. Do not lodge duplicates.
If ICA requests evidence Respond against the existing case using the requested document and channel.
Around the published benchmark Use the status tools and consider an enquiry if the case has exceeded the expected processing period without explanation.
After approval Verify the grant, save copies and prepare arrival requirements.
After refusal Read the decision and resolve the underlying issue before deciding whether to apply again.

Related application steps

Pending Understand what to do while an application remains undecided. Documents requested Respond to an ICA evidence request without creating a second case. Approved Check the grant and move into travel preparation. Refused Read the decision before deciding on another application.

Waiting on a decision?

Track the existing case and keep your records together

Use the application reference, receipt and ICA status tools to follow the case. If the published processing period has passed without a clear outcome, use ICA's enquiry channel rather than opening a duplicate application.

Application status guide Application support

Post-lodgement references

Use current ICA information while the case is pending

Processing times, portal labels and decision workflows can change. VisaPNG is an independent planning resource and is not the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority.

ICA eVisa application workflow: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/evisa/visaclass ICA visa services and status tools: https://ica.gov.pg/visa Existing eVisa login: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/account/login ICA contact and enquiry: https://ica.gov.pg/contact VisaPNG information sources