PNG Government bans Visas on arrival for Australian citizens

PNG PM Peter O'neill. Photo: Getty Images

Papua New Guinea government has banned the issuing of Visas on arrival for Australian citizens.  Prime  Minister Peter O’Neill confirmed  that Cabinet made a decision last week to ban visas on arrival for Australians except for those travelling by boat to ports like Kokopo and Tabubil.

The ban, expected to come into force after Mr O’Neill signs off on it, will mean Australian passport holders will need to apply from home before visiting their closest neighbour.

"There is no discrimination whatsoever. All Australian’s travelling to PNG have to get a visa before arrival, except for those Australians who are travelling by boat to ports like Kokopo or Tabubil who will get a visa on arrival because of the difficulties in obtaining them beforehand," Mr O’Neill said.

"But this is all across the world, not only Australia. We have similar arrangements with other countries and we will make sure similar arrangements are in place for other world partners. It is the same arrangement….it’s called reciprocal rights."

Mr O’Neill in an interview yesterday said there was no discrimination whatsoever intended.

In recent days stories have circulated on PNG social media that the National Executive Council has approved the ban when it met last week.

The Tourism Promotion Authority was unaware of the change in the rules until contacted by AAP on Monday.

Tourism Promotion Authority spokesman Colin Taimbari  then sought confirmation from the department of immigration.

"They said the withdrawal of the visa for Australians will come into effect when the Prime Minister signs it," he said. "It will not be in effect until it is signed."

Traditionally a 60-day tourism visa can be issued upon arrival in Port Moresby.

When asked if a ban on visa on arrivals will be a blow for PNG’s struggling tourism industry, Mr Taimbari said "definitely", but declined to comment further.

PNG already has visa-on-arrival bans for all African countries, all Middle Eastern countries and all Caribbean island states.

It also bans visas on arrival for Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and Russian nationals, among others.

In November 2013 it was reported Mr O’Neill threatened to withdraw visa-on-arrival arrangements with Australia unless Australia reciprocated.

"This visa on arrival business for all Australians will be withdrawn by the following year if we don’t get a similar arrangement with them," Mr O’Neill told the ABC.

ABC/Post Courier