PNG Government Welcomes New Citizens as Rosso Highlights Responsibilities and Loyalty

Papua New Guinea welcomed 22 new citizens during an official ceremony in Port Moresby, where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Immigration, Hon. John Rosso, presented citizenship certificates and approval documents to successful applicants.

 PNG Government Welcomes New Citizens as Rosso Highlights Responsibilities and Loyalty

The presentation followed the approval of 59 applicants granted citizenship and related approvals on February 12, 2026, covering naturalisation, dual citizenship applications, and approvals for PNG citizens seeking dual nationality.

According to Mr. Rosso, five applicants were seeking dual citizenship with Papua New Guinea, while 26 were approved as naturalised citizens and 28 PNG citizens were granted permission to hold dual citizenship with countries that have arrangements with PNG.

He highlighted that eight of the 22 recipients at the ceremony were West Papuans, and that the majority of the naturalised citizens were also from West Papua.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rosso reminded recipients that citizenship carries duties alongside rights, stressing the importance of being law-abiding, productive, and loyal citizens of Papua New Guinea.

He said for many of the new citizens, the formal approval simply recognised the deep ties they had already established in PNG after living in the country for many years.

Mr. Rosso also announced that the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority is working on amendments to expand the prescribed list of countries for dual citizenship and to make regaining citizenship easier for genuine Papua New Guineans, while ensuring the process remains robust and constitutional, stating, “When you recite the Declaration of Loyalty to Papua New Guinea today, you will promise to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this country. I ask that you take that oath seriously… A country is only as good as its people. God Bless Papua New Guinea.”