MSF
VariesThe MSF is the immigration fee attached to the selected visa class. ICA's payment disclaimer confirms that the MSF can be US$0 in some circumstances.
Migration Service Fees, online charges, receipts and refunds
Papua New Guinea eVisa Fees | Current Charges & Payment Guide
PNG eVisa pricing is built from two different fee concepts. The Migration Service Fee (MSF) depends on the visa class and can be zero for some visitor permits. Separately, ICA charges a US$50 Online Lodgment Service Fee (OLSF) for applications lodged through the eVisa portal. That means US$50 is the complete online charge for some visitor routes—but only one part of the total for many business, work and specialist applications.
US$50 OLSFAll applications lodged online.
MSF variesDepends on the visa class.
Visitor MSF can be $0Easy Visitor 30/60 currently.
Final total shownCheck ICA's payment screen before paying.
How ICA structures the charge
Understand the MSF and OLSF before comparing prices
OLSF
US$50ICA charges the US$50 OLSF for the convenience of lodging an application through the online portal.
MSF + OLSF
Class-specificWhere an MSF applies, add it to the US$50 online fee. ICA displays the conversion and final amount before payment.
Important distinction:
saying “the PNG eVisa costs US$50” is accurate only for a class whose MSF is currently zero.
Current live fee examples
Indicative eVisa charges by class
These examples reflect current ICA eVisa class information. Always use the live payment screen as the final fee authority.
| Visa class | Current MSF | Online lodgement fee | Indicative base total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Visitor Permit — 30 Day | US$0 | US$50 | US$50 |
| Easy Visitor Permit — 60 Day | US$0 | US$50 | US$50 |
| Tourist — Tour Package | US$0 in current class wording | US$50 | US$50 |
| Tourist — Visiting Relatives | US$0 in current class wording | US$50 | US$50 |
| Business Short-Term Single Entry | US$350 | US$50 | US$400 |
| Business Short-Term Multiple Entry | US$350 | US$50 | US$400 |
| Restricted Employment Visa | US$350 | US$50 | US$400 |
| Special Exemption — Aid Worker / Volunteer | US$50 | US$50 | US$100 |
Working Resident, student and specialist permits:
use the exact live visa class or sponsor process to obtain the current fee. These categories can have different MSF structures, and it is safer not to publish a single blanket figure.
Visitor eVisa fees
The US$50 visitor charge is an online lodgement fee
ICA's current Easy Visitor Permit 60 Day wording explicitly states that there is no Migration Service Fee for the Visitor Permit, but applications lodged through the eVisa portal attract a US$50 fee. The current 30-day route follows the same online-fee structure.
30-day visitor
Current online base charge: US$50.
60-day visitor
Current online base charge: US$50.
MSF
Currently US$0 for these Easy Visitor Permit routes.
OLSF
US$50 for applications lodged through the online portal.
Not the same as “free visa”
A zero MSF does not mean there is no online lodgement charge.
Check nationality
The 30-day and 60-day classes have passport-specific eligibility.
Business fees
Business Short-Term currently has a US$350 MSF
ICA's live Business Short-Term class information currently lists a US$350 Migration Service Fee plus the US$50 online lodgement fee where applicable.
For an online application, that gives an indicative base total of US$400 before the portal's currency conversion.
Correction to the supplied draft:
US$350 is not the complete online total for the current Business Short-Term class; it is the MSF before the US$50 OLSF is added.
Payment currency
Published fee and card charge are not necessarily in the same currency
Base rate in USD
ICA's payment disclaimer states that the base MSF rate is set in US dollars.
Online payments in AUD
The same payment disclaimer states that online MSF and OLSF payments are levied in Australian dollars using ICA's published conversion rate.
Check the final screen
ICA says the base USD amount, conversion rate and total levied amount are displayed before payment.
Why this matters:
some embedded visa-class text still describes conversion into PNG Kina. For online payment, ICA's dedicated payment disclaimer specifically states AUD. Use the live payment screen as the final transaction authority.
Payment method
Use the methods actually offered by ICA's live gateway
Credit / debit statement
ICA says MSF and OLSF payments can appear as PNG Consulate General on card statements.
Third-party processor
ICA's payment disclaimer states that online payments are handled through a third-party provider.
No universal card-brand list published
The current public payment guidance reviewed here does not establish a complete “Visa and Mastercard only” rule.
Do not assume prepaid-card support
Use only a payment option actually presented by the live gateway.
Do not invent exclusions
The current public guidance reviewed here does not establish a universal ban list covering Amex, PayPal, transfers or every other payment method.
Issuer approval
If your bank blocks the transaction, contact the card issuer and verify the charge before retrying.
Payment receipt
ICA sends a receipt email after payment
ICA's current eVisa workflow states that once the visa fee is paid, a receipt email is sent. If the application is automatically granted, a separate email contains the authority-to-travel document. If additional consideration is required, ICA sends the final decision later.
Keep the payment receipt and decision messages together. The receipt confirms the financial transaction; it is not the same as visa approval.
Do not overstate:
current public ICA guidance confirms a receipt email, but does not establish that every applicant receives an instant dashboard PDF or a specific universal alphanumeric tracking-code format.
Refund policy
The OLSF and MSF do not have the same refund rule
| Charge | Current ICA position | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Online Lodgment Service Fee (US$50) | Non-refundable | The OLSF pays for the convenience of online lodgement. |
| Migration Service Fee | Refundable only in very limited circumstances | Do not assume a refusal automatically creates an MSF refund right. |
| Bank / card issuer charges | Not controlled by ICA | Any issuer FX fee or overseas-transaction charge depends on the card provider's terms. |
Correction to the supplied draft:
it is inaccurate to say all PNG eVisa fees are “completely non-refundable.” ICA specifically makes the OLSF non-refundable while allowing possible MSF refunds in very limited circumstances.
Requesting a refund
Eligible refund requests are handled by ICA
ICA's payment disclaimer says the third-party payment provider is not responsible for refund management. Applicants seeking an eligible refund must contact ICA.
The current payment disclaimer identifies refunds@immigration.gov.pg for refund requests.
Payment troubleshooting
Verify the transaction before trying to pay again
Card declined
Check available funds and ask your issuer whether an overseas or unusual online transaction was blocked.
No receipt email
Check spam and junk folders, then sign back into the portal before making another payment attempt.
Browser did not return
A timeout does not prove the payment failed. Check the portal and your bank/card record first.
Pending card authorisation
A bank hold alone does not prove ICA completed the application submission. Look for ICA's receipt email.
Possible duplicate transaction
Compare receipt emails and bank records before retrying or contacting ICA.
Statement descriptor
ICA says the charge can appear as PNG Consulate General.
Bank surcharges and foreign exchange
Your bank's fees are separate from ICA's visa charges
No universal 2–5% rule
The current ICA material does not state that every card issuer adds a 2% to 5% surcharge. Fees depend on your bank and card terms.
Exchange-rate differences
Your bank may use its own settlement rate or charge a foreign-transaction fee in addition to ICA's converted amount.
Check the exact card terms
If cost matters, review your issuer's overseas-transaction and currency-conversion policy before paying.
Bank statements and visa fees
A bank statement is not a universal payment prerequisite
The supplied draft asks whether applicants have compiled “three months of mandatory bank statements.” That is not a universal ICA requirement.
ICA's current Business Short-Term Multiple Entry wording explicitly says that a personal bank statement is not a mandatory requirement, although ICA may request one. Visitor and specialist requirements also vary by class.
Better approach:
check the live class checklist instead of attaching financial documents purely because a generic visa guide says they are always required.
Fee misinformation to avoid
Common claims that should not be published as ICA rules
“Every PNG eVisa costs US$50”
False. US$50 is the OLSF; some classes also have a separate MSF.
“Business multiple entry costs US$350 total”
Incomplete. Current online base structure is US$350 MSF + US$50 OLSF.
“All fees are non-refundable”
False. OLSF is non-refundable; MSF refunds are possible in very limited circumstances.
“Visa and Mastercard are the only accepted cards”
The current public payment material reviewed does not publish that universal brand restriction.
“Prepaid travel cards are officially accepted”
Use the payment options actually displayed by the live gateway.
“Amex, PayPal and transfers are all officially prohibited”
Do not publish a universal exclusion list without current ICA evidence.
“Every bank adds 2%–5%”
Issuer fees vary and are not set by ICA.
“Every successful payment creates a dashboard PDF”
ICA confirms a receipt email, not a universal dashboard-PDF format.
“Three months of bank statements are mandatory before paying”
Not a universal ICA requirement; documentation depends on the visa class.
Before you pay
Run a final fee and application check
Correct visa class
Confirm the class matches your nationality, travel purpose and intended stay.
MSF checked
Do not assume the visitor fee applies to business, employment or specialist routes.
OLSF checked
Online applications currently attract a US$50 lodgement fee.
Final currency checked
Review the converted total shown on ICA's live payment screen.
Email correct
The receipt and decision are sent to your registered email address.
Documents complete
Payment triggers submission, so review the application first.
PNG eVisa fee FAQ
Common payment questions
How much is the 30-day Easy Visitor eVisa?
ICA's current class information shows no MSF for the 30-day Easy Visitor Permit, while online lodgement attracts a US$50 fee.
How much is the 60-day Easy Visitor eVisa?
The current Easy Visitor Permit 60 Day has no MSF, while an application lodged through the eVisa portal attracts a US$50 fee.
How much is the Business Short-Term visa?
ICA's live class currently lists US$350 MSF plus US$50 online lodgement fee, for a US$400 base online total before currency conversion.
Are all PNG eVisa fees refundable?
No. The US$50 OLSF is non-refundable. ICA says the MSF may be refunded only in very limited circumstances.
What currency is charged online?
ICA's payment disclaimer says base fees are in USD and online MSF and OLSF payments are levied in AUD using ICA's published conversion rate. Check the live payment screen for the final amount.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes. ICA's eVisa workflow states that a receipt email is sent once the visa fee has been paid.
Related eVisa guides
Check the fee together with the visa class and application
Use the live ICA total
Fees can differ sharply between visa classes
Confirm the visa class first, then review the MSF, US$50 online lodgement fee and converted total shown by ICA before authorising payment.
Official-reference policy
ICA's live payment screen is the final fee authority
VisaPNG is an independent information and visa-support website and is not the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority. Fees, exchange rates and visa-class requirements can change.
PNG ICA — Payment Gateway & Refund Disclaimer: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/global/disclaimer
PNG ICA — Live eVisa Classes: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/evisa/visaclass
PNG ICA — Apply Online: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/account/Apply
PNG ICA — Contact & Offices: https://ica.gov.pg/contact-us