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.

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