How to Apply for a Papua New Guinea Visa in Boston

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 Boston and the New England region, 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)

Papua New Guinea (or PNG) covers some 178,000 square miles in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.  The country is home to at least 10 million residents, more than 85% of whom live in rural areas.  PNG has 839 known languages–the most of any nation in the world–and hundreds of ethnic groups.  Only a few of those speak English, the official language.

“PNG’s cultural and linguistic diversity creates a challenging environment for U.S. firms entering the market,” the U.S. Commerce Department stated (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/papua-new-guinea-market-opportunities).  The department noted that historic business ties between PNG and Australia remain strong, and a growing number of Asian firms are operating in the region. “It is important for U.S. businesses to understand local culture and establish local long-term relationships beneficial to all parties.” U.S. companies have played a prominent role in PNG’s mining and energy sectors (including gold, copper, and natural gas), the department continued, with potential opportunities emerging in the high-growth sectors of agriculture, forestry, fishing, and tourism services.  Boston-based companies and businesspeople should take note of the PNG government’s reasons investors are drawn to the country, including abundant natural resources, strong demand for infrastructure, and its strategic location in Asia-Pacific (https://nto.gov.pg/invest-in-png).

Papua New Guinea’s trade centers on Port Moresby, its capital and largest city.  Port Moresby features a blend of traditional and modern architectural styles, plus contemporary hotels, restaurants, and commercial buildings.  While tourist attractions are scarce, popular outings for visitors from Boston include Varirata National Park, Adventure Park PNG, Ela Beach, Port Moresby Mosque, Vision City Megamall, and the National Museum and Art Gallery.  However, Port Moresby has also been called one of the most dangerous cities in the world. “There is a high risk of serious crime in the capital, Port Moresby, and in the cities of Lae and Mount Hagen,” the UK government cautions. “Suburbs of towns and cities can be particularly dangerous.”

Despite its challenges, Papua New Guinea remains “one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful countries on the planet,” stated a government tourism site, https://pngcanberra.org/tourism. “Soaring mountain peaks, unspoiled beaches, lush forests, unique flora and fauna, and the cultural richness of the people, combine to make PNG an increasingly popular destination for tourists.” Papua New Guinea contains one-third of the world’s remaining rainforests and a wide variety of wildlife.  It is located in the Coral Triangle, the richest area of marine biodiversity in the world–an area with more than 600 coral species, 3,000 types of reef fish, sharks, tuna, and more.  Scuba divers are drawn not only to the natural habitat but also to wreck dive sites containing ships, aircraft, and WWII submarines.

“A remote and still relatively undiscovered destination, Papua New Guinea is one of the few places left in the world where you can truly go off the beaten track,” Lonely Planet says (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-papua-new-guinea-experiences). “Whether you’re trekking in remote mountain ranges, searching for the elusive bird of paradise in cloud forests, or travelling to off-the-grid villages to get to know some 750 tribes who call PNG their home, you are likely to have the country’s wonders mostly to yourself.”

Requirements for Obtaining a Papua New Guinea Visa

Citizens of the United States and those with passports from most other countries living in the Boston area must obtain a visa before visiting Papua New Guinea.  The main requirement is holding a passport valid for at least six months which contains at least one blank page.  There are no vaccination requirements.

PNG offers several types of visas, including visitor, tourist, business, student, and sportsperson (https://ica.gov.pg/).  The most popular is the visitor visa, which covers people traveling to Papua New Guinea for a vacation, recreation, sightseeing, or to visit family or friends.  The tourist visa is similar, but does not include family visits.  Business visas are available for those who want to conduct business, attend meetings, or accept short-term employment.  Visitor visas are valid for a 30-day or 60-day period and can be extended for an additional fee after you arrive.  Business visas span 12 months and allow one or multiple entries, with each visit limited to 60 days.

U.S. citizens and those with passports from certain other countries living in the Boston area can obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) online.  Most foreigners can also apply for a traditional paper visa through the PNG embassy or consulate in the country where they live.  Nationals from a few countries in Asia Pacific and the Middle East are eligible for visa on arrival (https://ica.gov.pg/uploads/media/press_release_pdf_1060861-pr-250923-png-announces-voa-for-eligible-countries.pdf).

 

Option 1: Electronic PNG Visa

Citizens of the United States and some 50 other countries can apply for all types of PNG electronic visas through the links at https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/account/Apply.  Visitor e-Visa classes include 30-day and 60-days Easy Visitor permits, plus several other categories.  Business e-Visas include single-entry and multiple-entry options.  The visa fees include $50 for visitor visas lasting 30 or 60 days.  For business, the fees include the $50 online fee plus a migration service fee ($190 for single-entry; $350 for multiple entries).  Fees are payable through the website.

The basic process for a visitor and a single-entry, short-term business travelers is:

  • Complete the online application through the link above.
  • Pay the appropriate fees online.
  • Provide a copy of your passport biometrics page.

Business travelers seeking a multiple-entry visa must also provide:

  • Letter of invitation from a business associate in PNG.
  • Sponsorship letter from your employer.
  • Copy of your return airplane ticket.

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Option 2: Apply In-Person for PNG Visa

Residents of the Boston area can also apply for a traditional visa through the PNG embassy to the United States in Washington, D.C.  General visa information can be found on the embassy’s website at https://www.pngembassy.org.  Application forms for traditional visas are available at https://www.pngembassy.org/forms.html.

To apply for a visitor visa:

  • Download the application, fill it out, and sign it.
  • Make a copy of your airline tickets for your return flight from PNG.
  • Contact the embassy (202-745-3680) to find out what the current fees are and when they take visa applications.

Business visas applicants must also supply the additional documentation about their trip as outlined under Option 1.  Special requirements for other types of visas can be found at https://www.pngembassy.org/migration.html#17.

Bring your documentation, passport, and proof of plane ticket to the embassy to apply for your visa.  The embassy address is:

Embassy of Papua New Guinea
1825 K Street NW
Suite 1010
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: 202-745-3680

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We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Boston or anywhere in the state of Massachusetts or the New England region and have difficulty applying for a Papua New Guinea visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Papua New Guinea visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Papua New Guinea.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. We provide the following Papua New Guinea visa services for our customers in Boston:

  • Papua New Guinea Tourist Visa
  • Papua New Guinea Business Visa
  • Papua New Guinea Visitor Visa
  • Papua New Guinea Student Visa
  • Papua New Guinea Sportsperson Visa
  • Papua New Guinea Hotel Accommodations