How to Apply for a Papua New Guinea Visa in Raleigh

Papua New Guinea, the most populous Pacific Ocean country and largest by land mass, is rebounding as a leisure and business travel destination despite concerns about civil unrest and crime.  The country reported 140 million visitors in 2023, a 116% increase over the prior year but still below pre-pandemic levels. (https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-tourism-records-significant-growth-in-visitor-arrivals-for-2023/)  While the country is likely off the radar for most residents of the Raleigh-Durham area, Papua New Guinea may be considered by some adventurous travelers as an add-on to an Australia or Southeast Asia itinerary.   

Located just north of Australia, Papua New Guinea occupies the western half of the island of New Guinea, while the eastern half is part of Indonesia.  The northern part of the country was occupied by Germany during the Nineteenth Century and administered by Australia following World War I.  The southern part became British New Guinea in 1888.  The two areas became the Independent State of Papua New Guinea in 1975 and remains part of the British Commonwealth of Nations.  However, for decades since it became a sovereign nation, it has been plagued by civil unrest, corruption, tribal tensions, and political violence. “Reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy,” the U.S. State Department advises (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/papua-new-guinea-travel-advisory.html). “Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters.” Similarly, the British government “advises against all but essential travel to parts of Papua New Guinea.” (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/papua-new-guinea)

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