Papua New GuineaStarting a business
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
The Working Resident Business Person or Investor route is for business persons or investors who want to do business and invest in PNG.
This visa is applicable to business persons or investors
The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm what business substance must exist or be demonstrated.
The route requires a Maintenance Guarantee Bond, but the official Business Person / Investor section does not state its amount or a separate income, revenue or capital threshold.
Maintenance Guarantee Bond;
The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the business activity the holder may carry out, its restrictions and the family position.
For the Working Resident — Business Person or Investor route, the official material places Business Person/Investor under the Working Resident Employment Visa. Foreign nationals who will work in Papua New Guinea’s private sector need work visa approval before travel, and an employer or nominated agent is responsible for facilitating a work visa through the Sponsor Portal for new applicants. The Working Resident Employment Visa is a long-stay, multiple-entry visa granted for not less than 6 months and not more than 3 years. The Business Person/Investor class applies to business persons or investors who want to do business and invest in Papua New Guinea; its listed application items are an undertaking/sponsor letter signed at managerial level covering the applicant’s welfare, reason for stay, extension, and guaranteed financial support, a completed application form signed by the applicant, a maintenance guarantee bond, a valid passport bio-page copy, and the prescribed migration fee. For extensions, the source states generally that extension applications must be lodged well before the current entry permit expires; extensions are issued only to people currently in Papua New Guinea, cannot be granted while the person is outside Papua New Guinea, and have no grace period. The fee table lists Working Resident Business Person or investor fees of USD 380, extension fee USD 700, and late extension fee USD 1,350. For longer-term residence, Permanent Residence requires lawful residence in Papua New Guinea for at least 5 years and the applicant must fit a listed category, including a majority owner of a business investment in a registered resident business for at least 5 years with net assets and turnover exceeding K2 million and/or any property investment in Papua New Guinea of at least K10 million. The official material also states that citizenship and dual citizenship pathways are provided to foreign nationals who live in Papua New Guinea for more than 8 years, and that businesspersons, residents, investors and sportspersons can apply for citizenship.
2025 PAPUA NEW GUINEA IMMIGRATION AND ENTRY PERMIT HANDBOOK www.ica.gov.pg Table of Contents General Information.............................................................................................................. 2 Visa on Arrival....................................................................................................................3 eVisa........................................................................................................................................3 Visa Requirements..................................................................................................................9 Visa Fees......................................................................................................................................27 1 GENERAL INFORMATION Before travel to Papua New Guinea, you must check these prerequisites. Passport Validity Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended travel. Work visa Foreign nationals who will be engaged in formal employment in the private sector in Papua New Guinea need a work visa approval before travel.
You employer or a nominated Agent is responsible to facilitate your work visa through the Sponsor Portal (for new applicants). Citizenship and dual citizenship Citizenship and dual citizenship pathways are provided to foreign nationals who live in Papua New Guinea for more than 8 years. Businesspersons, residents, investors and sportsperson can apply for citizenship. Currently there are eight prescribed countries that accepts Papua New Guinea dual citizenship. They are Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, United Kingdom, Germany and United States of America. The information on citizenship and dual citizenship is available on www.ica.gov.pg Visas All foreign visitors to Papua New Guinea need a visa. Visa is regulated and issued by the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA). Either paper or online visa lodgement is accepted. There are a number of visa categories depending on the purpose of your visit. Visit www.ica.gov.pg to apply for eVisa or to find more information on your specific visa needs. Transiting Passengers Transit through Papua New Guinea for less than 7 hours do not require a visa. Transit for over 7 hours waiting time require a visa. If your transit time requires you to wait for more than 7 hours, we recommend that you apply for a visitor visa online. 2
Chinese Tourist and Organized Tour Groups Citizens of China who are Diplomatic, Official, Service and Public passports holders can get Visa on Arrival (VoA) in Papua New Guinea. Chinese tourists with ordinary passports travelling in organized tour groups with a registered tour operator in Papua New Guinea are also eligible for VoA. Work in Papua New Guinea All foreign nationals who wish to work in the private sector in Papua New Guinea require a valid work visa. Applications for a work visa must be submitted by your employer through the Sponsor Portal on the website. Diplomatic Missions Papua New Guinea have Diplomatic representation with certain countries, territories and international organizations around the world. The exact location and postal addresses of all Diplomatic Missions can be found on the Immigration website https://ica.gov.pg/overseas-mission-and-posts 1. PNG High Commission, Canberra, Australia 2. PNG Consulate-General, Brisbane, Australia 3. PNG Consulate, Cairns, Australia 4. PNG High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand 5. PNG High Commission, Honiara, Solomon Islands 6. PNG High Commission, Suva, Fiji 7. PNG Embassy, Jakarta, Indonesia 8. PNG Consulate-General, Jayapura, Indonesia 9. PNG High Commission, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 10. PNG High Commission, Manila, Philippines 11. PNG High Commission, New Delhi, India
13 3 Working Resident Employment Visa This long stay visa is granted without restriction form multiple entries for duration of not less than six (6) months and for not more than three (3) years. Work Visa This visa is granted to a non-citizen for entry into Papua New Guinea for employment purposes. Work visa incorporates work permit requirements which are listed below. This visa must be submitted online (for new applications) through the Sponsor Portal link available on the website. 1. Valid copy of the employee’s passport bio page; 2. Copy of the updated Curriculum Vitae; 3. Copy of the job description; 4. Certified evidence of education qualifications; 5. Copy of employment contract signed by both employee and the employer; 6. Two recent, clear and colour passport size photographs of employee; 7. Employee’s right thumb print. Note: if you provided one in your previous application, you do not need to provide it again. 8. Evidence of membership of professional registration association (where relevant); 9. Evidence of English language proficiency (where relevant); 10. Employer’s certificate of Incorporation from the Investment Promotion Authority; 11. Receipt of payment of fee (non-refundable);
Note: Officers may request for additional documentation for Organizational Structure and/or Justification letter as and when required. 12. Police Clearance; 13. Medical Report including Xray; 14. Maintenance Guarantee Bond (Must be signed and stamped by the employer/ sponsor); * Requirements for renewals, bridging and cancellation are available on the website. Note: You employer is resonsible for submitting your application on the Sponsor Portal available on the website. 13 14 Consultant / Specialist This visa category specifically applies to consultancy services in large corporate companies, Oil and Gas and Mining companies for stay up to 90 days only. Application for this visa can be submitted online. 1. Letter from the PNG based company/sponsor; 2. Copy of valid passport bio page; 3. Prescribed Migration fee; 4. Proof of onward/return ticket. 5. Maintenance Guarantee Bond Fee completed and signed by the sponsor; 6. Copy of the Contract/Service Agreement Short-term Employment Short-term Employment visa class applies to any organizations/companies wishes to employ a non-citizen for a term of 6 months or less. 1. Undertaking/Sponsor Letter. This letter must be signed at managerial level for
welfare of the applicant and including reason for stay and guarantee financial support; 2. Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Company Form 4 and 5; 3. Duly completed application form and must be signed by the applicant; 4. Maintenance Guarantee Bond (Must be signed/stamped by the employer/ sponsor); 5. Copy of valid passport bio page; 6. Prescribed Migration fee; Business Person / Investor This visa is applicable to business persons or investors who want to do business and invest in the country. 1. Undertaking/Sponsor Letter. This letter must be signed at managerial level for welfare of the applicant and including reason for stay, extension and guarantee financial support; 2. Completed Application Form signed by the applicant; 3. Maintenance Guarantee Bond; 4. Copy of valid passport bio page; 5. Prescribed Migration fee; 15 Working Dependent - COS/Visa Extension Working Dependent is an Extension Visa that applies to dependent previously under Working Resident Dependent which he/she decides to working for the principle’s company or other companies hence, he/she must apply for Changes of Status (COS) with Extension Branch. A change of status will be considered in coun- try on the following circumstances:
Where the relationship has been in existence for more than 12 months, a Dependent Entry Permit will be issued in accordance with the Principal’s approved period of stay. 5 Entry Permit Requirements The holder of an Entry Permit must enter Papua New Guinea within six months of the Entry Permit being issued. Failure to enter Papua New Guinea within six months will render the Entry Permit invalid, and as a result, further application will have to be made. As a matter of policy, existing entry permit holders (excluding Permanent Resident Entry Permit Holders) must not be absent from PNG for any period exceeding six months. Entry Permit holders that are absent from PNG for six months or more will need to make further application for an Entry Permit before seeking to return to PNG. In such cases, new health and character checks will be required. Visa Extension Applications for extension of stay must be lodged well in advance of the expiry of the current entry permit. For specific requirements, please refer to the appropriate entry permit category on the website. Extensions are only issued to people currently in Papua New Guinea. Extensions cannot be granted while a person is outside the country. Applicants should be
aware that there is NO period of grace in relation to extensions. Re-evidencing of Entry Permits Passports must be valid for six months or more to enable re-evidencing. Entry permits will only be issued for the period of validity of the passport. Where the validity of the entry permit extends beyond the validity of the passport, a new entry permit will be evidenced once a new passport has been obtained. When an applicant obtains a new passport, a new entry permit will be issued for the balance of the period of stay free of charge. Applicants will be required to complete an application form and provide a copy of the original work permit approval (if applicable). Where an Entry Permit holder is outside PNG, re-evidencing can be undertaken by the nearest PNG Diplomatic Mission. The Missions must obtain approval from Immigration Headquarters before re-evidencing can occur. 5 6 Designated Port of Entry Approved entry ports are Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby and Wutung Land Border Post in Vanimo, West Sepik Province. Entry through any unauthorised ports may result you refused entry or penalties may apply. Entry Permit Cancellation Entry Permits may be cancelled by the Minister for Immigration and Border
All migration fees are charged in United States Dollars (USD). You can make payment through the Online Payment Gateway available on the website www.ica.gov.pg and attach receipt of your transaction with each visa application you make. Visa Type Visa Class Fees Extension Late eVisa Fee Extension Fee Fee USD USD USD USD Visitor Tourist – Tour package Nil 150 700 50 Tourist – Own Itinerary Nil 150 700 50 Visiting Relative Nil 150 700 50 Yatchperson (Crew) Nil 150 700 50 Yatchperson (owner/Captain Nil 200 700 50 Journalist/Reporter 350 500 1,050 50 Easy Visitor Permit 30 days Nil N/A N/A 50 Easy Visitor Permit 60 days Nil 150 700 50 Business Short Term Multiple Entry 350 500 1,000
Short Term Single Entry 190 N/A N/A 50 Restricted Employment Visa (REV) 50 350 N/A N/A *Single Entry Business & REV visas are not extendable Working Employment 380 700 1,350 Resident Consultant/Specialist 380 700 1,350 Short Term Employment 380 700 1,350 Business Person or investor 380 700 1,350 Working Dependent 380 700 1,350 Dependent of Citizen (Working) 380 500 1,050 Dependent 40 75 380 Entertainer Film-maker (Commercial) 500 700 1,350 Film-maker (non-commercial) 40 75 380 Comedian (Commercial) 380 500 1,050 Musician (Commercial) 380 500 1,050 Gospel Group (Charity) 40 75 380 Cultural Group (Charity) 40 75 380
3. Copy of valid passport bio pages for the applicant and both parents; 4. Prescribed Migration fee; 5. Birth certificate of the child dependent; 6. Marriage certificate for the spouse; 7. Statutory Declaration for both partners in de-factor relationships 23 7 Permanent Residence To be eligible For Permanent Residence, applicants must have resided lawfully in Papua New Guinea for a minimum of five (5) years. PR applicants must fall into one of the following descriptions. • Chief Executive Officers of large companies with a work force of 250 em- ployees and an annual turnover of K10 million or more. Only companies that have been operating in Papua New Guinea for more than five years are to be considered. As evidenced by certified documentation. • A person who is the majority owner of a business investment in a registered resident business for at least five years with net assets and turnover exceed- ing K2 million and/or any property investment with a net investment in PNG of at least K10 million. As evidenced by certified documentation. • A person who is a skilled professional who is a medical doctor, specialist or educationist, as evidenced by tertiary level education qualifications and at
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
Explore more pathways in Papua New Guinea · All pathways
Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.