Entry permission framework

Papua New Guinea eVisa Policy

Papua New Guinea manages foreign entry through an Entry Permit framework administered by the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority. Some Entry Permits can be applied for online as eVisas, some are lodged through diplomatic or paper channels, and a limited group of travellers can still use visa on arrival.

Understand the frameworkCheck visa on arrival
  • Entry Permit first-use rule: six months
  • Visa class controls permitted activity
  • PNGDAC is mandatory before travel
  • Visa on arrival is limited

How the system works

An eVisa is an application channel within PNG's wider Entry Permit system

ICA's official terminology centres on the Entry Permit. The eVisa portal lets eligible applicants select a class, see the documents required, submit information, upload evidence, pay the applicable fee and receive a decision electronically.

Not every category uses the same channel. Some classes are online, some remain paper-based, and others can also be lodged through PNG diplomatic missions.

Use “eVisa” as the digital application route, not as a blanket legal category. The underlying permission is the Entry Permit issued for a specific visa class.

Six-month first-entry rule

An Entry Permit must be used within six months of being issued

This is separate from the permitted stay after arrival.

First use

Enter PNG within six months

ICA states that the holder of an Entry Permit must enter Papua New Guinea within six months of the permit being issued.

If unused

The permit becomes invalid

Failure to enter within that period renders the Entry Permit invalid and requires a further application.

Do not confuse validity-to-enter with length of stay. A class may allow 30, 60, 90 or another number of days after arrival.

Absence from PNG

Six months outside PNG can trigger a fresh Entry Permit application

ICA's policy applies to existing Entry Permit holders other than Permanent Resident Entry Permit holders.

Six months or more away

A further Entry Permit application is required before returning.

New checks

ICA says new health and character checks are required.

Permanent residents

Permanent Resident Entry Permit holders are excluded from this general six-month absence policy.

Visa classes

The right Entry Permit depends on what you will actually do in PNG

RoutePurposePolicy distinction
VisitorHoliday, sightseeing, social and family visitsWork is prohibited
BusinessMeetings, negotiations, trade and other permitted business activityMultiple-entry business does not permit labour or employment
Working Resident / EmploymentPaid workEmployment route and sponsor/work-permit requirements apply
Restricted EmploymentSpecialist short-term technical workClass-specific short-stay work limits apply
Special ExemptionGovernment-approved aid, diplomatic, religious, research and specialist activityCan cover approved paid or unpaid activity

Work restrictions

A visitor or ordinary business visa does not automatically authorise employment

ICA's visitor framework states that work is forbidden. The current Business Short-Term Multiple Entry class is for permissible business activities and meetings that do not constitute labour or employment.

Hands-on technical work, paid employment, ongoing consultancy or specialist labour may require Employment, Restricted Employment, Working Resident or another specialist route.

Visa class follows activity, not convenience.

Visa on arrival

VOA remains available, but only to ICA's current listed countries and territories

Use the live list rather than an approximate historical count.

Eligible examples

Canada, Fiji, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Israel, Indonesia, several Pacific states and specified territories are currently listed.

Passport-type limits

Some entries are limited to specific passport types. China, for example, is currently listed for Diplomatic, Official and Service passports only.

Mainland exclusions

ICA explicitly states that mainland New Zealand, mainland France and mainland United States are not eligible for VOA.

Do not describe ordinary mainland US passport holders as VOA-eligible. Certain US territories are listed separately.

Advance eVisa

Online application availability depends on nationality and class

The eVisa portal shows whether an applicant can lodge online and which documents are required.

Nationality

The passport used for travel affects available routes.

Class

Visitor, business, entertainer, restricted, special-exemption and working-resident classes differ.

Channel

Online application is not universal; some routes remain paper or mission based.

PNG Digital Arrival Card

PNGDAC is a mandatory pre-arrival requirement

ICA's 6 August 2026 notice states that the PNG Digital Arrival Card is mandatory for PNG citizens, permanent residents and all foreign nationals travelling to Papua New Guinea.

ICA's homepage says the card can be submitted online up to 72 hours before arrival, and the 2026 notice requires completion before boarding passes are issued.

PNGDAC is not a visa. It is a separate border requirement and does not replace an Entry Permit.

Designated international ports

ICA publishes specific international ports of entry

Jackson's International Airport

Port Moresby.

Daru

Listed by ICA as a designated international port.

Wutung (Vanimo)

PNG–Indonesia border crossing.

Kagamuga Airport

Mt Hagen.

ICA says visitors or businesspersons using other ports must already hold a valid Entry Permit.

Border admission

An approved Entry Permit does not remove border-document checks

ICA's live eVisa instructions say documentary evidence may need to be presented to border officials when entering Papua New Guinea.

Travellers should keep the passport used for the application and any class-specific supporting documents accessible.

Do not say approval guarantees admission without further checks.

Processing time

PNG does not publish one universal 48–72 hour decision guarantee for every visa class

ICA distinguishes between applications that are automatically granted and applications requiring further consideration.

Automatic grant

Some eligible applications can produce an authority-to-travel email after submission and payment.

Further assessment

Other cases need manual consideration before a decision is sent.

No universal clock

Do not promise one processing timeframe across all classes.

Fees

Fees vary by visa class

ICA charges Migration Service Fees in US-dollar conversions and publishes the fee schedule separately. The eVisa portal shows the amount payable before payment is finalised.

Do not publish a single “$50 eVisa fee” as though it applies to every class.

PNG eVisa feesVisa types

Policy map

Answer these questions before applying

1

Which passport?

Nationality and passport type affect eligibility.

2

What activity?

Tourism, business and employment use different routes.

3

How long?

Stay length can affect class and compliance rules.

4

How many entries?

Single and multiple entry have different conditions.

5

Which channel?

Online, VOA, mission or paper.

6

Which documents?

Use the live ICA checklist.

7

Which port?

Confirm the arrival point.

8

Complete PNGDAC

Submit the mandatory arrival card before travel.

Common policy mistakes

Avoid old lists and universal claims

Incorrect claimBetter current wording
All eVisas have a six-month stay.Six months is the first-use deadline; stay length is class-specific.
Any six-month absence ends permanent residence.Permanent Resident Entry Permit holders are excluded from the general absence policy.
About 28 nationalities can get VOA.Use ICA's current live list.
Mainland US passport holders can get VOA.ICA explicitly says mainland United States is not eligible.
All eVisas take 48–72 hours.No universal processing guarantee applies across all classes.
All eVisas cost $50.Fees vary by class.
A business visa permits employment.Multiple-entry business excludes labour or employment.
PNGDAC replaces a visa.PNGDAC is a separate mandatory border requirement.

Explore policy details

Move from the policy hub to the rule that applies to your case

?Who Needs a VisaCheck advance-permission requirements. EVisa ExemptReview exemptions. AVisa on ArrivalSee the current eligibility list. eeVisa Eligible CountriesCheck online availability. PEntry PermitsUnderstand the underlying system. RImmigration RulesReview compliance obligations. !Prohibited ActivitiesSee what classes do not allow. OOverstayingUnderstand stay-limit consequences. +Visa ExtensionCheck extension eligibility.

Not sure which policy applies?

Start with nationality, purpose, stay length and entry frequency

Those four details usually determine the correct Entry Permit route.

Check visa routeCompare visa types

Official references

Use current ICA policy before travelling

Visa, Entry Permit, VOA and border rules can change. VisaPNG is an independent planning resource and is not the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority.

ICA Entry & Re-entry Requirements: https://ica.gov.pg/visa-information/entry-and-re-entry-requirements ICA Visa on Arrival: https://ica.gov.pg/visa-information/visa-on-arrival ICA Mandatory PNGDAC Notice: https://ica.gov.pg/public-notices/2026/mandatory-completion-of-png-digital-arrival-card ICA Designated Ports: https://ica.gov.pg/visa-information/designated-png-international-ports-of-entry ICA eVisa Classes: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/evisa/visaclass VisaPNG Information Sources