The permitted stay starts when you arrive
ICA's live eVisa class wording states that the 30-day and 60-day visitor permits are valid for their respective stay periods from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
30-day and 60-day visitor stay periods explained
PNG eVisa Length of Stay | 30-Day & 60-Day Visitor Routes
Papua New Guinea's visitor eVisa system includes 30-day and 60-day Easy Visitor Permit routes. ICA's current eVisa class information states that both are single entry and that the permitted stay is measured from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea. The 30-day route does not allow an extension, while the 60-day route may be extended only in limited situations.
30 daysEasy Visitor Permit 30.
60 daysEasy Visitor Permit 60.
Single entryBoth Easy Visitor routes.
US$50 online feeNo MSF for Easy Visitor Permit.
30-day vs 60-day route
The main difference is passport eligibility and permitted stay
| Visitor route | Permitted stay | Entry profile | Extension | Online lodgement fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Visitor Permit — 30 Day | 30 days from arrival | Single entry | Not permitted | US$50 |
| Easy Visitor Permit — 60 Day | 60 days from arrival | Single entry | May be permitted in limited situations | US$50 |
Do not choose only by trip length:
the 60-day route is available only to eligible passport holders listed by ICA. Passport eligibility determines which visitor class you can use.
When the stay starts
ICA measures the visitor stay from the date of arrival
Count the actual permitted period
Plan your departure within the number of days granted by the permit. Do not assume that “30 days” automatically means the same date in the following calendar month.
Use your granted permit conditions
The exact Entry Permit issued to you remains the final document to check for your actual permitted stay and conditions.
Single-entry condition
Leaving PNG ends the use of a single-entry visitor permit
ICA describes the Easy Visitor Permit 30 Day and 60 Day routes as single entry. That means the permit authorizes one entry into Papua New Guinea, not repeated trips during the remaining stay period.
One entry
The permit is used for one arrival into PNG.
Leaving PNG
Do not assume unused days remain available for a second entry after departure.
Regional side trip
A side trip to Australia, Solomon Islands or another country can require a new valid Entry Permit for return.
Multiple-entry need
If your travel pattern requires repeated entries, check a visa class designed for multiple entry.
Airline check-in
Carriers may verify that you have a valid right to enter PNG before boarding a return sector.
Check before departure
Never leave PNG assuming the original single-entry permit remains reusable.
30-day extension
The 30-day Easy Visitor Permit cannot be extended
ICA's live Easy Visitor Permit 30 Day class states that an extension of stay is not permitted.
If your trip is likely to exceed the 30-day allowance, confirm whether your passport qualifies for a different visitor class before travel rather than relying on an in-country extension.
General extension procedure
Extensions must be requested before the current permit expires
ICA's general extension guidance says that extension applications must be lodged well in advance of the expiry of the current Entry Permit.
Extensions are issued only to people who are physically present in Papua New Guinea. ICA also states that there is no period of grace in relation to extensions.
Important:
the general extension process does not override a visa class that explicitly says no extension is allowed.
Other 60-day tourist classes
Not every 60-day tourist permit has identical extension rules
ICA's live eVisa catalogue contains other tourist subclasses—such as Tourist - Own Itinerary—that are also single entry and valid for 60 days from arrival. Some of those classes state that an extension of stay may be permitted.
Easy Visitor Permit 60
Single entry; 60 days from arrival; limited extension situations may be permitted.
Tourist — Own Itinerary
Single entry; 60 days from arrival; ICA states an extension may be permitted.
Check the exact class
Do not assume that every visa labelled “tourist” has the same extension rules or eligibility list.
Entry window vs stay period
The six-month first-use rule is different from your 30- or 60-day stay
First-use rule
ICA says an Entry Permit must generally be used to enter PNG within six months of issue.
30-day stay
Begins from the date of arrival for the Easy Visitor Permit 30 Day.
60-day stay
Begins from the date of arrival for the Easy Visitor Permit 60 Day.
Do not confuse dates
The permit issue date and the permitted in-country stay are different concepts.
Unused approval
If an Entry Permit is not used within six months of issue, ICA says it becomes invalid and a further application is required.
Read the grant
Always check the actual approval conditions issued to you.
Passport validity
Your passport needs at least six months of validity from intended entry
Six-month rule
ICA's current FAQ states that the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to enter Papua New Guinea.
Check before booking
If your passport is close to the six-month threshold, renew it before relying on a visitor eVisa approval.
Use the same travel document
Keep the passport used for the visa application aligned with the passport presented for travel unless ICA has re-evidenced the permit.
Return or onward travel
Return-travel evidence may be requested
ICA's FAQ states that in some circumstances applicants may be asked to provide evidence of return travel as part of the visa application process.
It is therefore sensible to keep a confirmed itinerary showing departure within the permitted stay. However, it is inaccurate to say that every applicant must always upload a paid ticket before ICA will accept the application.
PNGDAC
The Digital Arrival Card is a separate mandatory pre-arrival step
Mandatory for all travellers
ICA's 6 August 2026 notice says PNGDAC is mandatory for PNG citizens, permanent residents and all foreign nationals travelling to PNG.
Complete before boarding-pass issuance
ICA instructs airlines and check-in staff to ensure travellers complete the Digital Arrival Card before a boarding pass is issued.
Do not invent a universal 72-hour rule
The current mandatory notice reviewed here requires completion before boarding-pass issuance. It does not state a universal “within exactly 72 hours before departure” window.
Overstay planning
Do not stay beyond the permission shown on your Entry Permit
No extension grace period
ICA expressly says there is no period of grace in relation to extensions.
Plan departure early
Do not leave travel planning until the final day of your stay if flights could be disrupted.
Apply early if eligible
If your class allows an extension, ICA says lodge the request well before the permit expires.
Do not exaggerate penalties
Overstaying can lead to immigration enforcement, but do not claim that one day automatically causes permanent biometric blacklisting unless ICA says so.
Keep proof of travel
Maintain accessible booking details and your Entry Permit while travelling.
Ask ICA if uncertain
If your permitted stay or extension eligibility is unclear, use the official ICA enquiry channel before the expiry date.
Changing visa status
A visitor permit does not authorize employment
ICA's Easy Visitor Permit classes expressly prohibit paid work. If your travel purpose changes to formal employment, use the appropriate employment route rather than relying on a visitor permit.
The exact rules around changing status depend on the visa class. Do not present a blanket rule that no status change is ever possible for every class unless the specific ICA visa class says so.
For visitor travel:
choose the correct visa class before starting paid work, business activity or another purpose outside ordinary visiting.
Choosing the right stay length
Match the route to passport eligibility and real itinerary
Trip under 30 days
If your passport qualifies for the 30-day route and the itinerary fits comfortably inside the stay period, the Easy Visitor Permit 30 Day may be appropriate.
Trip between 31 and 60 days
You need to confirm that your passport qualifies for a 60-day visitor class. Do not assume every passport can simply choose the longer route.
Trip likely to exceed 60 days
Review the exact tourist subclass, extension rules and alternative visa categories before travel rather than relying on an extension after arrival.
Length-of-stay misinformation to avoid
Claims that should not be presented as universal ICA rules
| Weak claim | Better current wording |
|---|---|
| The 60-day route is a universal “Standard Tourist eVisa.” | ICA has a specific Easy Visitor Permit 60 Day plus other 60-day tourist subclasses. Check the exact class. |
| Every 60-day tourist visa is automatically extendable. | Extension rules differ by class; the Easy Visitor Permit 60 may be extended only in limited situations. |
| The stay starts only when an officer physically stamps the passport. | ICA's class wording says the stay period runs from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea. |
| Every applicant must upload a fully paid return ticket. | ICA says return-travel evidence may be requested in some circumstances. |
| PNGDAC must always be completed exactly within 72 hours before departure. | The current 6 August 2026 ICA notice requires PNGDAC before boarding-pass issuance; it does not state that exact universal timing window. |
| One day of overstay automatically causes detention, deportation and permanent blacklist. | Overstay is a serious immigration issue, but consequences depend on the case and should not be exaggerated beyond official rules. |
| Every visitor class can never change status. | Check the specific visa class. Some ICA classes explicitly prohibit change of status, while rules vary across the broader system. |
PNG eVisa length-of-stay FAQ
Common visitor questions
How long can I stay on the 30-day Easy Visitor Permit?
ICA states that it is valid for a single entry and a period of 30 days from the date of arrival in Papua New Guinea.
How long can I stay on the 60-day Easy Visitor Permit?
ICA states that the eligible 60-day Easy Visitor Permit allows a single-entry stay of 60 days from arrival.
Can I extend the 30-day Easy Visitor Permit?
No. ICA's live eVisa class states that an extension of stay is not permitted.
Can I extend the 60-day Easy Visitor Permit?
ICA states that in limited situations an extension of stay may be permitted.
Can I leave PNG and return on the same visitor permit?
The Easy Visitor Permit 30 Day and 60 Day classes are single entry, so do not assume the permit can be reused after you depart.
Does every visitor need to upload a return ticket?
ICA's FAQ says return-travel evidence may be requested in some circumstances. Keep it ready, but do not describe it as a universal mandatory upload for every visitor application.
Related eVisa guides
Check the stay period together with validity and eligibility
Plan the exit date before you travel
Your permitted stay is a legal limit, not a flexible travel estimate
Check the exact visitor class, passport eligibility and stay period before booking. If your trip may exceed the available stay, resolve the visa route before departure rather than depending on an extension later.
Official-reference policy
Stay periods and extension rules depend on the exact class
VisaPNG is an independent information and visa-support website and is not the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority. Always verify the live ICA visa class and the conditions on your issued Entry Permit.
PNG ICA — Live eVisa Classes: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/evisa/visaclass
PNG ICA — Visitor Visa: https://ica.gov.pg/visa/visit/visitor
PNG ICA — Extension of Entry Permits: https://ica.gov.pg/visa-information/extension-of-entry-permits
PNG ICA — Entry & Re-entry Requirements: https://ica.gov.pg/visa-information/entry-and-re-entry-requirements
PNG ICA — General FAQ: https://ica.gov.pg/faq
PNG ICA — Mandatory PNGDAC Notice: https://ica.gov.pg/public-notices/2026/mandatory-completion-of-png-digital-arrival-card