Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.

Dependent children over the age of 18 years and below 24, who are engaged in higher education in Papua New Guinea or overseas and are still be financially supported by principal Permanent Residency visa holder may apply for a Permanent Residency Dependent visa.

The spouse of a Permanent Residency visa holder is permitted to work.

Dependent children over the age of 18 and below the age of 24 who are engaged in higher education and are financially supported by the principal Permanent Residency visa holder may only engage in paid work if it is at the family business. Dependent children may participate in unpaid volunteer or community social events.

There are several conditions which apply to Permanent Residency, which include that an application for Permanent Residency must be made in Papua New Guinea.

A Permanent Residency visa holder must not:

• be convicted of an offence in Papua New Guinea and sentenced to a period of imprisonment for period greater than there (3) months.
• remain outside of Papua New Guinea for more than twelve (12) months continuously without reasonable cause.

A Permanent Residency visa holder may:

• undertake employment in Papua New Guinea, as they are exempt from the provisions of the Employment of Non-Citizens Act.

The Minister may cancel a Permanent Residency visa when the holder is found to have breached any of these conditions.

No. You do not have to provide your passport with your Permanent Residency visa application.

We do, however, require a copy of the bio data pages for you and any dependents listed on your application.

Applications for Permanent Residency visas usually take between 3 and 4 months to process. In some circumstances it may take longer. 

If your application is incomplete and does not contain all the information requires to finalise the application, processing will be delayed.

Applications for renewal of a Permanent Residency visa can take up to 7 business days to process after the application is received by ICA. In some circumstances it may take longer. 

A Permanent Residency visa will be issued with the same validity as the holder’s passport.

If your passport expires, you will need to apply for a new Permanent Residency visa.

There are eight (8) Permanent Residency categories or classes:

1. Majority Business Owner
2. Skilled Professional
3. Chief Executive Officer
4. Spouse of Papua New Guinea Citizen
5. Religious Worker
6. Retired Person
7. Adult Child of Citizen
8. Accompany Permanent Residency Holder as Dependant

In accordance with the laws of Papua New Guinea the holder of a visa must enter Papua New Guinea within six (6) months of the visa being issued.

If you do not enter PNG within six (6) months of your visa being issued, your visa will be considered invalid and you will need to make a new application for a visa.

Permanent Residency permits the holder, during the period the Permanent Residency visa remains valid to:

• undertake employment in Papua New Guinea, without being required to comply with the Employment of Non-Citizens Act.
• enter an exit Papua New Guinea for as many times as required.

An applicant for Permanent Residency must:

• be at least 18 years of age;
• have continuously lived in Papua New Guinea for a period of five (5) years;
• not have been convicted of a criminal offence in Papua New Guinea or abroad;
• meet the mandatory requirements of the class of Permanent Residency applied.

To lodge an application for Permanent Residency, you will need to submit:

• a copy of your Passport’s bio data page;
• a copy of your valid long term visa;
• a copy of your valid work permit; and 
• the Original Migration Service Fee (MSF) receipt.

In addition, you will also need to provide certified copies of the following documents: 

• a Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Police clearance certificate; 
• character references from notable persons in PNG; and
• other certified documents may be required, subject to the type of Permanent Residency visa you are applying for.

You should immediately report your lost passport/visa to ICA, by way of letter and include a copy of the Police report related to the lost or stolen passport.

Once you have been issued a replacement passport, notify ICA and a replacement Permanent Residency visa will be issued.

Permanent Residency is a type of visa given to a successful applicant, which allows that person to reside indefinitely in Papua New Guinea without being a citizen.

Permanent Residency is a privilege and can be revoked at any time by the Minister if the holder is found to have abused or in breach of the Permanent Residency conditions.

You may include your legal dependents (if any), including spouse, biological and adopted children.