PNGDAC · Jacksons International Airport · self-registration

PNG Digital Arrival Card Airport Kiosks

Self-registration PNG Digital Arrival Card kiosks are still documented for use at Jacksons International Airport (POM). They can scan your passport and accept individual or group submissions after arrival—but travellers should not plan to rely on them as the normal route because a later ICSA directive requires PNGDAC completion before a boarding pass is issued.

How the kiosks workComplete PNGDAC online
LocationJacksons International Airport
CostFree
Group sizeUp to 10 travellers
Best routeOnline before check-in

Current 2026 position

The kiosks still exist—but the pre-flight rule changed

ICA's current PNGDAC pages and application manual still describe self-registration kiosks upon arrival at Jacksons International Airport. The kiosk workflow remains part of the 2026 PNGDAC application documentation.

However, the Office of the Chief Migration Officer issued a later notice on 6 August 2026 instructing international airlines, ground handlers and check-in staff that all travellers must complete PNGDAC before a boarding pass is issued.

Practical conclusion: airport kiosks remain a documented facility, but online submission before check-in is now the safest normal compliance method. Do not deliberately arrive at your departure airport without PNGDAC just because kiosks exist after landing.

Official kiosk workflow

What happens at the self-registration machine

1

Select PNGDAC

Start the PNGDAC function at the self-registration kiosk and choose the relevant individual or group process.

2

Scan your passport

Place the passport on the kiosk reader as instructed. The system reads the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) and retrieves key identity details.

3

Check imported details

Verify first name, surname, nationality, date of birth and passport number. ICA specifically tells travellers to recheck data retrieved from the passport MRZ.

4

Add missing personal details

Enter additional information such as country of birth and occupation before continuing.

5

Enter trip information

Add flight, entry and accommodation details required by the declaration.

6

Complete declarations

Answer the required goods, prohibited-item and health questions before reviewing the declaration.

7

Review before submission

Read the declaration, check the acknowledgement box and inspect all details for errors before submitting.

8

Enter your email

Provide an email address so the system can send the completed PNGDAC documents and reference information.

9

Present confirmation

Keep the PNGDAC confirmation available with your passport for verification by the relevant PNG officer.

What to have ready

Kiosk completion still requires the same trip information

Passport

Your passport must be available for scanning at the kiosk.

Flight details

Know the flight and entry information required for the declaration.

PNG accommodation

Have the address or lodging information for your stay ready to enter.

Customs answers

Be ready to declare goods, prohibited items and other reportable items truthfully.

Health information

The system may request relevant health information based on travel history or current health screening rules.

Email access

Use an email account you can access because the completed PNGDAC information is sent electronically.

Families and groups

One kiosk submission can contain up to 10 travellers

The official kiosk manual permits group submission for a family, tour group, travel agency or authorised representative entering information for other travellers.

Up to 10 travellers can be included in one submission. Each person still receives a unique PNGDAC number, and all completed information is sent to the email address entered during submission.

For larger groups, more than one submission will be needed because the current group limit is 10 entries.

Online vs kiosk

Why advance online completion is still better

OnlineComplete before travel

Use a phone, tablet or computer before airport check-in and save the confirmation offline.

OnlineMore time to review

You can check passport, flight and accommodation details without standing in an arrivals processing area.

OnlineMatches 2026 boarding enforcement

The current directive requires completion before a boarding pass is issued.

KioskArrival-side facility

The kiosk exists after arrival, which is later than the point at which airlines are now instructed to verify compliance.

KioskExtra processing step

You must scan the passport, enter the declaration and retrieve confirmation before continuing with border processing.

KioskNo guaranteed queue time

Airport congestion varies. It is reasonable to expect possible delay, but there is no reliable official basis for promising a fixed “30-minute” kiosk wait.

What not to claim

Avoid overstating the airport kiosk rules

Not “exemption-only”

ICA's kiosk manual does not say the machines are exclusively for travellers granted airline exemptions.

Not guaranteed twin workflow

The kiosk and website collect broadly similar information, but it is unnecessary to claim the interfaces are pixel-for-pixel identical.

Not a way around pre-flight rules

The existence of an arrival kiosk does not cancel the 2026 directive requiring completion before boarding-pass issuance.

Timing

Use the current official online window

ICA's PNGDAC system says travellers can submit their information three days in advance of arrival, and the main ICA site describes the service as available up to 72 hours before arrival.

The safest planning approach is therefore to complete the card after your itinerary details are settled and within the live portal's accepted submission window—but before airline check-in.

If something changes

You may be able to update a submitted PNGDAC

Flight or hotel changes

ICA provides an Update PNGDAC function for changes such as flight details, travel dates or accommodation.

Some identity fields are locked

ICA's FAQ says full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth cannot be changed through the standard update function.

Submit a new form if necessary

If a locked field is wrong, ICA recommends submitting a new form with the correct information. The latest valid submission is used.

Airport kiosk FAQ

Common PNGDAC kiosk questions

Are PNGDAC airport kiosks still available?

Yes. ICA's current PNGDAC pages and 2026 application manual continue to document self-registration kiosks upon arrival at Jacksons International Airport.

Should I deliberately wait until arrival to complete PNGDAC?

No. The 6 August 2026 ICSA directive requires travellers to complete PNGDAC before a boarding pass is issued. Online pre-departure submission is the safer normal route.

Is kiosk submission free?

Yes. ICA states that use of PNGDAC is free of charge.

Can a family use the kiosk together?

Yes. The system supports group submissions for families and groups, with up to 10 travellers in one submission.

Does the kiosk scan my passport?

Yes. ICA's kiosk manual instructs travellers to place the passport on the reader so the system can retrieve MRZ data such as name, nationality, date of birth and passport number.

Will I receive a PNGDAC number?

Yes. In a group submission, ICA says every traveller receives a unique PNGDAC number.

Can I submit PNGDAC for someone else?

ICA permits group, tour-leader and authorised travel-agency submissions when the necessary traveller information and authority are available.

Can I change a mistake after submission?

Many fields can be updated using the Update PNGDAC function. If a locked identity field is wrong, submit a new declaration with the correct details.

Related VisaPNG guides

Complete your arrival preparation

APNG Digital Arrival CardComplete and understand PNGDAC. EEntry RequirementsBorder, Customs and health rules. IImmigration ClearanceWhat happens after landing. FTravelling With ChildrenFamily arrival preparation. VPNG eVisaEntry permit application guidance. NVisa & Entry NewsFollow policy updates.

Best practice

Finish PNGDAC before airport check-in

Airport kiosks remain part of ICA's system, but the current boarding directive makes advance online completion the sensible route. Submit the form within the accepted window, review every detail and save the confirmation offline before you leave for the airport.

PNG Arrival Card GuideReview entry requirements

Official sources

Primary PNGDAC kiosk references

ICA — PNG Digital Arrival Card ICA — PNGDAC How-to Guides ICA PNGDAC Manual — Kiosk Submission ICA PNGDAC Manual — Website Submission ICSA — Mandatory Completion Notice, 6 August 2026 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, Jacksons International Airport or an airline. Airport systems and check-in enforcement can change, so current official guidance should be checked close to departure.