PNGDAC · Digital declaration · Pre-departure requirement

Papua New Guinea Arrival Card | PNGDAC Guide

Papua New Guinea now uses the PNG Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) for incoming passenger declarations. The system replaced the traditional paper arrival card and is now a mandatory part of the border process for travellers entering PNG.

How to complete it Check the timing
CostFree
TimingUp to 72 hours before arrival
BoardingComplete before pass issuance
SubmissionIndividual or group

When to submit

The official 72-hour window and the newer boarding rule

ICA's PNGDAC guidance says travellers can submit the digital arrival card within 72 hours before and including the day of arrival in Papua New Guinea. The ICA homepage likewise describes submission as available up to 72 hours before arrival.

A later official notice dated 6 August 2026 adds an important operational rule: international airlines, ground handling agents and check-in personnel are instructed that travellers must complete the PNGDAC before a boarding pass is issued.

Best practical approach: complete the PNGDAC online during the 72-hour window and do it before you reach the final stage of airport check-in. Do not plan to rely on completing it only after landing.

Who needs it?

The rule applies broadly, not only to tourists

Foreign visitors

Tourists, business visitors and other foreign nationals travelling to PNG must complete the PNGDAC.

Permanent residents

The August 2026 ICSA directive expressly includes permanent residents.

PNG citizens

The same directive expressly includes Papua New Guinea citizens returning to the country.

Online submission

How to complete the PNG Digital Arrival Card

1

Open the official PNGDAC system

Use the official Papua New Guinea Digital Arrival Card service linked from ICA.

2

Choose individual or group submission

ICA provides both individual submission and group submission, making the system suitable for solo travellers, families and other groups.

3

Enter your traveller details

Complete the identity, passport, travel and declaration fields requested by the system. Review every detail carefully before submission.

4

Review and submit

The official short guide instructs travellers to review the information before submitting the declaration.

5

Receive your confirmation

ICA says the PNGDAC documents are sent by email or can be downloaded after submission. Air Niugini likewise describes receiving a confirmation email with a PNGDAC reference.

6

Keep it ready for travel

Save a copy on your phone and consider keeping a printable backup for presentation if requested.

Cost

The official PNGDAC is free

ICA explicitly states that the PNG Digital Arrival Card service is free of charge.

You do not need to pay an immigration fee merely to submit the arrival card. If a third-party website asks for payment, understand that it is not the official free government submission service.

PNGDAC vs visa

The arrival card does not give you permission to enter PNG

Arrival declaration

The PNGDAC records border and traveller information before arrival.

Visa or entry permission

Your passport nationality and travel purpose determine whether you need an eVisa, another permit or an eligible Visa on Arrival route.

Both may be needed

ICA explicitly states that the PNGDAC is not a visa.

Families and groups

You do not need to create an unnecessarily fragmented process

Individual

Solo traveller

Complete one individual PNGDAC using your own passport and travel details.

Group

Family or travel party

ICA provides group submission through the online system.

Every traveller matters

Include children and infants

The August 2026 mandate applies to all persons travelling to PNG, so each member of the group needs to be represented in the submission.

Changing travel details

You can update an existing PNGDAC

ICA's how-to guidance includes an Update PNG Digital Arrival Card function for corrections or changes such as flight details, travel dates, accommodation or personal information.

This is useful if your airline changes your schedule after you already submitted the declaration.

Arrival kiosks

The older fallback still appears in guidance—but should not be your plan

2025 ICA guidance

ICA's original PNGDAC page and short guide describe self-service kiosks at Jacksons International Airport for travellers who had not submitted online.

2026 enforcement notice

The later August 2026 directive tells airlines that PNGDAC must be completed before the boarding pass is issued.

What travellers should do

Treat online pre-departure completion as the normal current process. Do not rely on arrival kiosks to solve an incomplete declaration after check-in.

What to have ready

Prepare the details before opening the form

Passport

Use the passport you will actually present when entering Papua New Guinea.

Flight details

Have your inbound airline, flight number and travel date ready.

Accommodation

Keep your first accommodation or local contact details available if requested by the form.

Travel declarations

Answer Customs, health or quarantine-related questions accurately where they appear.

Email access

Use an email address you can access while travelling because ICA sends the PNGDAC documents electronically.

Offline copy

Download or screenshot your confirmation before leaving reliable internet access.

At immigration

Present the confirmation with your passport

ICA's PNGDAC page instructs travellers to present their confirmation together with their passport to an officer on arrival.

Air Niugini gives the same practical instruction and recommends completing the card before departure to avoid arrival delays.

Arrival Card FAQ

Common PNGDAC questions

Is the PNG Digital Arrival Card mandatory?

Yes. ICSA's August 2026 notice calls it a mandatory pre-arrival requirement for all persons travelling to Papua New Guinea.

When can I submit it?

ICA's official short guide says within 72 hours before and including the day of arrival.

Must I complete it before boarding?

Yes under the 6 August 2026 directive, which tells airlines and check-in staff that completion is required before a boarding pass is issued.

Is it free?

Yes. ICA states that the system is free of charge.

Does PNGDAC replace my visa?

No. ICA explicitly states that the PNGDAC is not a visa.

Can a family submit together?

Yes. ICA provides both individual and group submission options.

Can I update my declaration after submitting?

Yes. ICA provides an update function for corrections to travel dates, flight details, accommodation and personal information before official processing.

Can I just use an airport kiosk after landing?

Older ICA guidance describes arrival kiosks, but the later August 2026 notice makes pre-boarding completion the safer current approach.

Related VisaPNG guides

Prepare the rest of your PNG entry

EEntry RequirementsBorder, Customs and arrival rules. VVisa CheckerCheck your likely visa route. PPNG eVisa GuideEligibility and application overview. FTravelling With ChildrenFamily entry preparation. BBefore You TravelFinal pre-flight preparation. NVisa & Entry NewsCurrent PNG immigration updates.

Before check-in

Complete the PNGDAC online and keep the confirmation ready

Submit within the official 72-hour window, do it before boarding-pass issuance, and remember that the arrival card does not replace your visa or other entry requirements.

Review entry requirements Check visa route

Official sources

Primary references for the PNG Digital Arrival Card

ICA — PNG Digital Arrival Card ICA — PNGDAC How-to Guides ICSA — Mandatory Completion Notice, 6 August 2026 Official PNGDAC Submission Portal Air Niugini — PNG Digital Arrival Card

VisaPNG is an independent visa and travel-support website. It is not the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority and does not operate the PNGDAC system.