PNG Government to engage Washington over US visa bond, PM tells travellers to play by the rules

The Marape Government is preparing to open talks with the United States over a visa bond requirement that has caught out some Papua New Guinean travellers, even as the Prime Minister renewed calls for citizens abroad to stick strictly to their visa terms.

James Marape confirmed the diplomatic push this week, saying while PNG fully respected America's authority to run its own immigration system, his Government wanted to know exactly why the country had been drawn into the bond programme and what steps could be taken to have the decision revisited.

 PNG Government to engage Washington over US visa bond, PM tells travellers to play by the rules/Photo PNG Prime Minister James Marape

Introduced on April 2, 2026, the bond applies specifically to select B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants from Papua New Guinea, a measure US authorities say is connected to patterns of visa overstays and immigration compliance concerns.

Marape was careful to frame the issue as a policy matter rather than a diplomatic rift, insisting the bond did not signal any downturn in the relationship between the two countries.

"Our response should not be anger or unnecessary criticism," he said. "Our response must be to understand why this policy has been applied to us, correct whatever issues are within our responsibility, and make a strong case for Papua New Guinea to be reconsidered in future reviews."

At the same time, the Prime Minister put the onus back on Papua New Guinean travellers, saying breaches by a handful of individuals could have flow-on effects for thousands of genuine travellers, from students and professionals to sportspeople and business families.

"A visa is not permission to remain indefinitely," Marape said. "When the authorised period ends, our citizens must return home unless they have lawfully obtained another immigration status."

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs would now pursue further engagement with Washington, working through PNG's diplomatic post in the US and the American Embassy in Port Moresby, with a focus on understanding the compliance data behind the bond and improving awareness of visa rules back home.

The Prime Minister also flagged the financial strain the bond places on ordinary families, noting the cost involved was far from small change for most citizens.

"For many ordinary Papua New Guineans, a bond running into tens of thousands of Kina is a considerable amount of money," he said, adding Government would push for Washington to recognise the impact on small-business operators and families without deep pockets.

Marape further revealed that his administration was looking at a broader reciprocal visa policy that would apply across PNG's international relationships rather than being aimed solely at the United States.

"If countries give Papua New Guineans visa on arrival, we will likewise consider giving their citizens visa on arrival," he said. "If they charge our citizens for visas, we will likewise apply appropriate visa charges. If they require Papua New Guineans to apply for a visa before travelling, then we will likewise apply similar requirements."

On concerns raised by students and their families, the Prime Minister clarified that the bond requirement was limited to business and tourist visa categories and did not extend to student or exchange visitor visas.

"Our young people studying overseas must continue to pursue their education with confidence," he said.

Marape maintained that the decades-long partnership between PNG and the United States, dating to Independence in 1975 and covering security, trade, energy and climate resilience, remained firmly intact despite the visa bond dispute.

"America remains an important partner of Papua New Guinea and of our Pacific region. One visa policy should not define the entirety of our relationship," he said.

He ended with a direct appeal to Papua New Guineans travelling overseas to help protect the country's international reputation.

"Every Papua New Guinean who travels abroad is, in some way, an ambassador for our country," Marape said. "When we respect another country's laws, respect our visa conditions and return home on time, we strengthen the credibility of the PNG passport and make international travel easier for the Papua New Guineans who come after us."