PNG Reactivates Visa on Arrival for Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
“The reactivating of the visa on arrival functions for the MSG countries is an important achievement for the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) and helps to restore international travel arrangements to pre-pandemic settings,” Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Labour and Immigration, Hon. John Rosso, said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Labour and Immigration, Hon. John Rosso |
The Melanesian Spearhead Group is an alliance of Melanesian countries. PNG shares close personal and business ties with its Melanesian neighbours and bringing back the reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements with the MSG has been a priority for the ICA.
“Today, PNG reactivates its reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements allowing travellers from countries within the Melanesian Spearhead Group including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia to enjoy streamlined travel to PNG,” Minister Rosso said.
PNG’s Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau said: ‘‘These arrangements will help to reunite families, facilitate business engagements, and build tourism opportunities throughout Melanesia.”
At this time, visa on arrival only applies to passport holders of countries within the Melanesian Spearhead Group and will remove the need for those passport holders to apply for a visa
before travelling to PNG.
Minister Rosso said: “PNG ICA plans to extend the visa on arrival program to countries where formal bilateral visa on arrival arrangements exist, and other countries which provide Papua New Guineans with reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements including other Pacific nations.”
He re-launched visa on arrival for countries within the Melanesian Spearhead Group at the PNG Immigration Headquarters in Port Moresby. The event was witnessed by representatives from the MSG, PNG Government officials, and the media.
The re-launch of the visa on arrival for the MSG follows the reactivation of the online visa auto grant system in August, and highlights the Marape-Rosso Government’s commitment through the ICA to improve the turnaround time for clients, and encourage travel and business.
Next : Port Moresby and Vietnam's Da Nang Sister-city Initiative
Post a Comment