Asylum, refugee-status determination and permanent refugee visa

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Papua New Guinea Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

Papua New Guinea operates an asylum and refugee status determination process set out in legislation; a person determined to be a refugee can obtain a refugee visa, which is permanent and gives freedom of movement and work rights.

See recorded sources

https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
PNG has a robust refugee status determination process incorporated in legislation.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
A refugee visa is permanent and provides freedom of movement and work rights.

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

Refugees as recognised under the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. ICA states that West Papuan refugees have received protection in PNG since 1963, and that PNG has also taken in non-Melanesian refugees, both people who arrived independently and people processed in PNG under regional arrangements.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured ICA pages do not reproduce the legal definition of a refugee or the eligibility criteria.

https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/national-refugee-policy
Papua New Guinea recognises the rights of refugees in accordance with its commitments under the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and related 1967 Protocol,and the Principles of this National Refugee Policy, and incorporates these within national legislation.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/png-refugee-protection-in-the-international-context
West Papuan refugees, being the oldest cohort in PNG, have received protection here since 1963.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/png-refugee-protection-in-the-international-context
More recently the country has also welcomed non-Melanesian refugees – including those who arrived independently and those who have been processed here under regional arrangements.

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

Claims are first assessed by ICA officers. PNG may also make arrangements with other countries or international organisations to process asylum seekers' claims. The official source does not state where or how a claim is lodged.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured ICA pages do not say where or how a claim is lodged (at the border, in-country, or by referral).

https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
Their claims are initially assessed by ICA officers.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/national-refugee-policy
Papua New Guinea may enter into arrangements with other countries or international organisations for processing asylum seekers’ claims and where appropriate settlement of refugees.

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Applicants may be given interpreters and help from refugee law experts to prepare their applications. If the first assessment is negative, they can ask for a review by an independent panel of PNG and international lawyers. People recognised as refugees can apply for a refugee visa and a Certificate of Identity; people found not to be refugees must leave PNG. Before removing a non-refugee, ICA assesses whether the person would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary deprivation of life or the death penalty. Support for recently arrived refugees may include language and cultural orientation, case management, and help to find work and accommodation.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured ICA pages say nothing about registration steps, how family members are handled, or support while the claim is pending.

https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
As per Government’s policy, refugees are provided multiple layers of natural justice.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
They may be provided with interpreters and assistance to prepare their applications by refugee law experts.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
If they are initially assessed not to be a refugee, they may have these claims reviewed by an independent panel of eminent PNG and international lawyers.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
If they are determined to be a refugee, they are eligible to apply for a refugee visa and Certificate of Identity.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
Those who receive a negative assessment will be entitled to apply for independent review. Those who are determined as non-refugees will be required to leave Papua New Guinea.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/human-rights-and-social-welfare-of-refugees
ICA conducts rigorous assessments to ensure that any non-refugee who is removed from PNG will not be subject to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary deprivation of life or imposition of the death penalty.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/human-rights-and-social-welfare-of-refugees
For recently arrived refugees, this may include language and cultural orientation assistance, case management support, and assistance to find employment and accommodation.

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

ICA officers carry out refugee status determination. UNHCR no longer conducts it in PNG. The Minister for Immigration and Border Security makes the final decision on refugee status.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured page text gives no contact channel for asylum seekers and no fraud or scam warning specific to refugee claims.

https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
Previously the UNHCR used to conduct refugee status determination in PNG. It has now ceased to do this in recognition of the robustness of PNG’s own process and the competence of ICA's officers.
https://ica.gov.pg/refugees/refugee-status-determination-process
Under PNG law, the Minister for Immigration and Border Security makes the final determination of a refugee’s status.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Asylum, refugee-status determination and permanent refugee visa

What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.