Passport + purpose + stay length = the correct PNG visa route
Papua New Guinea visa eligibility is determined by more than nationality alone. ICA uses your passport, reason for travel and intended activity to identify the correct Entry Permit class. For visitors, the key distinction is between the 30-day Easy Visitor Permit, the broader 60-day Easy Visitor Permit, and the separate Visa on Arrival schedule. Business, employment and specialist travel use different classes again.
Eligibility logic
Visitor routes
ICA's current list includes passports such as Australia, India, United States, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom and others.
Some passports on this list are marked by ICA as also eligible for the 60-day route.
ICA's current list includes United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore and many other passports.
Australia and India are not listed on the current 60-day class.
VOA eligibility includes selected countries, territories and passport types. Mainland United States, mainland France and mainland New Zealand are currently excluded from VOA even though those passports can appear on the 60-day eVisa list.
Purpose of travel
Use an eligible visitor class based on passport and stay length.
Easy Visitor or other visitor subclasses may apply depending on the passport and circumstances.
Use a Business Short-Term class rather than a leisure visitor permit.
Visitor permits expressly prohibit paid work; use the appropriate employment / Working Resident route.
ICA publishes specialist classes with separate evidence, approvals and fees.
Special Exemption or Foreign Official classes may be relevant depending on the activity.
Passport examples
| Passport | 30-day Easy Visitor | 60-day Easy Visitor | Current VOA |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes | No — mainland U.S. excluded |
| Australia | Yes | Not listed | No |
| India | Yes | Not listed | No |
| France | Not listed | Yes | No — mainland France excluded |
| Germany | Not listed | Yes | No |
| Spain | Not listed | Yes | No |
| New Zealand | Yes* | Yes | No — mainland New Zealand excluded |
| United Kingdom | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| Canada | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| Japan | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
Visa on Arrival
ICA currently makes Visa on Arrival accessible to a defined list of countries, territories and passport categories including Canada, UK, Japan, Singapore, Fiji, Indonesia, Israel, UAE and several Pacific states and territories.
China is currently listed only for Diplomatic, Official and Service passports. The UAE listing includes Diplomatic, Special, Mission and Ordinary passports. Indonesia, Japan and Israel are listed for all passport types.
Business eligibility
ICA's current Business Short-Term Single Entry class is single entry and valid for 30 days from arrival.
It is available online, through PNG missions before travel, and on arrival for eligible passport holders at Jacksons International Airport.
ICA's current multiple-entry class is valid for 12 months and allows a period of up to 60 days from each arrival.
It is not available on arrival.
The multiple-entry route is for permissible business activity and meetings that do not constitute labour or employment.
Business Multiple Entry criteria
ICA says the applicant must be a full-time employee of the company they represent.
The applicant must be able to support themselves and accompanying dependants.
The applicant must return after the stay.
ICA may request a police clearance certificate.
The applicant must satisfy health requirements.
A genuine invitation from a PNG-based sponsor registered with the Investment Promotion Authority is required.
Business fees
ICA currently lists the Business Short-Term Single Entry class at a US$190 Migration Service Fee plus the US$50 online lodgement fee where applicable.
The Business Short-Term Multiple Entry class currently carries a US$350 MSF plus the US$50 online lodgement fee where applicable.
Employment eligibility
Easy Visitor Permit classes expressly prohibit paid work.
Business travel does not automatically authorize local employment or a local salary.
ICA publishes employment classes for consultancy, specialist work and longer sponsored employment.
Employment routes can require a PNG sponsor, work authorization and class-specific supporting evidence.
Choose the correct class before carrying out paid or employment-type activity.
Some occupations and nationalities can have additional employment requirements.
Universal passport check
ICA states that your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to enter Papua New Guinea.
If you have dual nationality, check the route attached to the passport you will actually present for travel.
The current general ICA guidance reviewed here does not establish a universal “two facing blank pages” requirement for every eVisa holder.
PNGDAC
ICA's 6 August 2026 notice applies to citizens, permanent residents and all foreign nationals.
Airlines are instructed to ensure PNGDAC completion before a boarding pass is issued.
ICA's homepage says PNGDAC can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival, not simply “within 72 hours before departure.”
A valid eVisa or VOA entitlement does not replace PNGDAC.
PNGDAC is a border-arrival form, not another visa fee.
Have the submission confirmation available for travel checks.
Return / onward travel
ICA's general FAQ says that in some circumstances applicants may be asked to provide evidence of return travel.
Some specific classes, including Business Short-Term Multiple Entry, explicitly list a return airline ticket among the required documents. That does not make a paid ticket a universal mandatory upload for every Easy Visitor applicant.
A better visa-route model
| Your situation | Likely route to check | Key eligibility question |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday / family visit | Easy Visitor Permit 30 or 60 Day | Which ICA passport list includes your travel document? |
| Holiday + eligible VOA passport | VOA or eligible advance visitor route | Is your exact passport / territory on ICA's live VOA schedule? |
| One short business trip | Business Short-Term Single Entry | Does your activity fit the business class and is your passport eligible? |
| Recurring business trips | Business Short-Term Multiple Entry | Do you meet sponsor, employment and business-purpose criteria? |
| Paid local employment | Working Resident / employment class | Do you have the required PNG sponsor and employment authorization? |
| Journalism / filming / entertainment | Specialist class | What approvals and sponsor evidence does ICA require? |
| Aid, religious or official activity | Special Exemption / Foreign Official | Does your mission fit ICA's specialist eligibility criteria? |
Eligibility misinformation to avoid
| Weak claim | Better current wording |
|---|---|
| “U.S., Australia, India and all EU passports are 30-day only.” | Incorrect. U.S. appears on both current 30-day and 60-day lists; Germany, France and Spain appear on the 60-day list; Australia and India appear on the 30-day list. |
| “The 60-day eVisa list is the 28-country VOA list.” | Incorrect. ICA's 60-day eVisa list is broader than the current VOA schedule. |
| “U.S., France and New Zealand must use 30-day advance eVisa because they are excluded from VOA.” | Incorrect. Mainland U.S., France and New Zealand are excluded from VOA but appear on the current 60-day eVisa list. |
| “All business travel uses a 12-month multiple-entry visa.” | Incorrect. ICA has both a 30-day Business Short-Term Single Entry class and a 12-month Multiple Entry class. |
| “Business Multiple Entry costs US$350 total.” | ICA currently lists US$350 MSF plus US$50 online lodgement fee where applicable. |
| “All travellers need two blank facing pages.” | Current general ICA guidance reviewed here confirms six months of passport validity but not a universal two-facing-page rule. |
| “Every traveller must upload a paid return ticket.” | ICA says return-travel evidence may be requested in some circumstances; some specific classes expressly require it. |
| “PNGDAC must be done within 72 hours before departure.” | ICA's mandatory notice requires completion before boarding-pass issuance; its homepage says submission can occur up to 72 hours before arrival. |
PNG eVisa eligibility FAQ
ICA says yes. Eligible travellers may receive a visa on arrival; otherwise the appropriate visa must be issued before travel.
Yes. The United States is currently listed on ICA's 60-day Easy Visitor Permit class, although mainland U.S. is excluded from VOA.
Australia is currently listed for the 30-day Easy Visitor Permit but not on the current 60-day list.
India is currently listed for the 30-day Easy Visitor Permit but not on the current 60-day list.
Yes. Germany, France and Spain appear on ICA's current Easy Visitor Permit 60 Day list.
No. First check whether an advance eVisa class is available and appropriate for your passport and purpose. VOA is a separate route, not a requirement to wait until arrival.
Use the visa class that matches your actual purpose. ICA publishes Business Short-Term classes for permissible business activities.
No. ICA's Easy Visitor Permit classes expressly prohibit paid work.
Related PNG eVisa guides
Start with passport and purpose
Check the passport list first, then match the trip purpose and stay period. Do not choose a visa simply because another traveller with a different passport used that route.
Official-reference policy
VisaPNG is an independent information and visa-support website and is not the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority. Visa eligibility, fees, passport lists and arrival rules can change.