Papua New Guinea visa options for United Kingdom passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Papua New Guinea

Rules are written for foreign (non-PNG-citizen) nationals; specific entitlements such as visa-on-arrival or Easy Visitor Permit eligibility depend on the traveller's nationality per the ICA eligible-country lists.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Visitor / Tourist Visa (incl. Easy Visitor Permit & Visa on Arrival)

  Single entry, 60 days from arrival for most eligible nationals (some nationalities get 30 days); not extendable. Verify per nationality.

  Insurance

  Required. Not stated as a mandatory visitor-visa condition by ICA, but strongly advised given PNG's limited healthcare and reliance on costly private clinics and medical evacuation (often to Australia).

  Good for

  Tourists, holidaymakers and people visiting friends or relatives. Easy Visitor Permit (EVP) and visa-on-arrival are limited to nationals on the ICA eligible-country lists; others must apply for a Tourist visa online before travel.

  Requirement

  Passport valid at least 6 months, proof of being a genuine visitor intending to leave, and (for online routes) an eVisa application; paid work is expressly prohibited. All travellers must also complete the free PNG Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) online within 72 hours of arrival.

• Business

  Business Visa (Single or Multiple Entry)

  Single-entry business visa: up to 30 days (not extendable). Multiple-entry business visa: valid 12 months with up to 60 days per arrival. Verify current terms.

  Insurance

  Recommended. No insurance mandate stated by ICA for business visitors, but private international medical cover with evacuation is strongly advised.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, trade missions or exploratory business visits — not paid employment. Available online (eVisa) for eligible nationalities; APEC Business Travel Card holders with PNG endorsement may enter for business without a visa.

  Requirement

  Passport valid 6+ months, evidence of bona fide business purpose (e.g. invitation, company/trade-mission documentation) and an eVisa or sponsor application. PNGDAC also required.

• Most nomadsWork

  Work Permit & Employment Visa

  Varies by job: short-term work visas up to about 6 months for project/temporary roles; long-term employment visas can extend up to roughly 3 years depending on the role and industry. Verify.

  Insurance

  Requiredto Required. ICA does not universally mandate it, but private health cover is effectively necessary (expats generally cannot use the National Health Plan) and some residence/employer arrangements require proof of health insurance. Verify with employer/ICA.

  Good for

  Non-citizens taking up private-sector employment with a PNG-based employer/sponsor.

  Requirement

  Employer-sponsored: a valid Work Permit (issued by ICA) plus the employment visa, applied for together via the ICSA online Sponsor portal. Employer must show the role cannot be filled locally. Processing typically several weeks. PNGDAC required on entry.

• Work

  Restricted Employment Visa (REV)

  Up to 4 entries within a 12-month period, each stay not exceeding 30 days. Not extendable.

  Insurance

  Recommended. No explicit ICA insurance condition stated, but private international medical and evacuation cover is strongly advised.

  Good for

  Foreign workers needing short, repeated work entries — e.g. fly-in-fly-out specialists or short project assignments.

  Requirement

  Sponsorship/work authorisation via the ICSA online portal, passport valid 6+ months, and documentation supporting the short-term work purpose. PNGDAC required on entry.

• Study

  Student Visa

  Tied to the duration of the enrolled course; varies by individual circumstances. Verify.

  Insurance

  Required. Not stated as a mandatory ICA condition, but private health cover is strongly advised given limited public healthcare. Verify with the institution.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals enrolled in full-time study at a recognised PNG educational institution.

  Requirement

  Confirmed enrolment at a recognised institution, proof of ability to support oneself during study, passport valid 6+ months, and a paper application form downloaded from the ICA website. PNGDAC required on entry.

• Residence

  Permanent Residence

  Indefinite once granted (permanent residence).

  Insurance

  Requiredto Required. Many PNG residence permits require proof of health insurance, and expats typically must hold private cover (international plans advised for hospital, medication and evacuation). Verify current requirement with ICA.

  Good for

  Long-term foreign residents seeking to settle permanently in PNG.

  Requirement

  At least 5 years of lawful residence in PNG, established ties to the country, and an application lodged in-country (Form 1A). Eligibility varies with the types and duration of visas previously held. Holders must enter PNG within 6 months of a visa being issued or it becomes invalid.

• Transit

  Transit Visa

  No visa needed if transit (waiting time) is under 7 hours; a visa is required if the wait exceeds 7 hours (apply for a Visitor visa online).

  Insurance

  Recommended. No transit-specific insurance requirement stated; travel medical cover is advisable.

  Good for

  Travellers passing through PNG en route to another destination.

  Requirement

  Onward travel documentation and passport valid 6+ months; for waits over 7 hours, an online Visitor visa. The PNG Digital Arrival Card is required of all travellers including transit passengers (no airside transit exemption as of early 2026).

General guidance only; PNG visa rules and eligible-nationality lists change frequently, so verify on the official ICA portal (ica.gov.pg) before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United Kingdom → Papua New Guinea: frequently asked

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Papua New Guinea?

Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Papua New Guinea?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Papua New Guinea has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Papua New Guinea?

Entry to Papua New Guinea never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Papua New Guinea visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.