Non-citizens who overstayed their visas and unlawfully reside in Papua New Guinea must immediately report to the Immigration and Citizenship Authority to be assisted through an in-country ‘visa reissuance incentive’.
“The in-country ‘visa reissuance incentive’ is specifically designed to assist non-citizens who were unable to travel out of the country as a result of the pandemic and the closure of international borders and as a result have overstayed,” says Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau.
The PNG Immigration and Citizenship is providing this incentive to assist unlawful non-citizens and those whose visa nears expiration to come forward voluntarily and be assisted through this pathway.
Hulahau says an increasing number of non-citizens have their visas either expired or nears expiration date but failed to renew it and he warned that they need to contact the authority to seek a pathway that best suits them.
“We are providing this initiative because we understand the difficulties the Covid-19 pandemic has caused that resulted in closure of borders and disruption of international flights and we really want to assist them by offering an extension or reissuance of their visa while they are still in the country.
A key requirement under the Migration Regulation 1979, requires non-citizens to leave the country and reapply for a visa to come back. However, with the pandemic situation, ICA is providing pathways to assist over-stayers to come forward and reapply in-country.
Hulahau cautioned the overstayers not to take advantage of PNG’s caring attitude and warned that ICA will come down hard on those that are taking advantage of the current Covid-19 situation and are not renewing their visas.
“We are giving a two month grace period to over stayers and unlawful non-citizens to come forward voluntarily,” warned the Chief Migration Officer.
Over stayers are encouraged to make contact with the Visa Management Team by email kkapus@immigration.gov.pg or call 327 6183 for assistance in this regard.
