Papua Nya Guinea

Översikt

Capital: Port Moresby (pop. 410,000)
Population: 10,762,817 (2025 est.)
Religions: Protestant 64.3%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 5.3%, non-Christian 1.4%
Languages: Tok Pisin, English, Hiri Motu, some 839 indigenous languages
Time Zone: UTC+10; note: Papua New Guinea has two time zones, including Bougainville (UTC+11)
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +675
Electrical plug(s): Type I

Pengar

The local currency in Papua New Guinea is Kina (PGK). As of 6 October 2026 100 PGK is equal to 22.89 USD.

Currency exchange can be done at airports, banks, exchange offices and hotels.

Travellers should be prepared to use credit or debit card payments in urban areas and cash in rural areas. Cash and credit cards are commonly accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourism-related industries. For smaller establishments, cash may be the only option. Credit cards are accepted in urban areas only. ATMs are only available in urban and/or tourist areas.

A tipping culture does not exist. Tips are neither required nor expected.

El

The power supply in Papua New Guinea is less than reliable. Electricity operates on 240V at 50Hz using plug type(s) I.

Pass

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Papua New Guinea. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure and have one blank page.

Visum

Travellers may qualify for a visa waiver, however this requires the completion of a security check or travel authorisation prior to departure. A visa on arrival scheme is in place for select travellers, but often depends on nationality, purpose of travel and port of entry. All other travellers will need to obtain a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate or apply online (e-visa) prior to travel.

Entry visa requirements vary based on nationality, purpose of travel and other factors. Individual travellers are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all visa requirements, which should be confirmed with authorities at their destination prior to travel.

e-Visas

Easy Visitor Permit (30 days): Foreign nationals of select countries are eligible to obtain a visa upon arrival (Easy Visitor Permit) to enter Papua New Guinea (PNG) for up to 30 days; these travellers must first apply online prior to departure. Check here for further instructions.

The Visa upon Arrival is intended for those entering PNG for the purpose of tourism, sightseeing and visiting relatives or friends, among other government-approved reasons.

Nationals of Brunei, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vanuatu may also apply for a 60-day Easy Visitor Permit.

Easy Visitor Permit (60 days): Foreign nationals of select countries are eligible to obtain a visa upon arrival (Easy Visitor Permit) to enter Papua New Guinea (PNG) for up to 60 days; these travellers must first apply online prior to departure.

The Visa upon Arrival is intended for those entering PNG for the purpose of tourism, sightseeing and visiting relatives or friends, among other government-approved reasons.

E-Tourist Visa (60 days): Foreign nationals may apply for an entry visa online to visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) for up to 60 days. Travellers may apply for one of the following single-entry visas:

• Tourist - Tour Package
• Tourist - Own Itinerary
• Tourist - Visiting Relatives
• Yachtperson
• Sportsperson

Check here for further instructions. Travellers are advised to consult via the embassy or consular services prior to departure.

Visas on Arrival

Visa on Arrival: Foreign nationals of selected countries may enter Papua New Guinea by applying for a visa on arrival (VoA) at all authorised ports, specifically Jackson International Airport (POM/AYPY) in Port Moresby and Wutung land border crossing. Holders of VoA may stay for up to 60 days.

Travellers are advised to contact consular authorities before departure to check eligibility.

Lokal resor

Overview

Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby (POM/AYPY) is the main airport in Papua New Guinea. Travelling by road is particularly dangerous in Papua New Guinea due to poor road conditions and bandit gangs scattered throughout the territory. Buses, boats and other public transport should be avoided because of the risk of theft and assault. Travellers should avoid taxis because of the spread of fake licences. It is strongly recommended to hire specialised providers and security companies for transport.

Travel Safety

Air Travel

Port Moresby's Jacksons International Airport (POM/AYPY) is Papua New Guinea's main international airport, located about 10 km (6.2 miles) outside the city. Jacksons International Airport consists of Domestic and International terminals. It is the main hub of Air Niugini, the national airline of Papua New Guinea. It regularly receives flights from international destinations such as Australia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and China. Although there are taxis outside the arrival terminal, visitors are advised to arrange a hotel transfer in advance through specialist providers and security companies.

Borders and Entry

Border measures: Cross-border travel with Australia's Queensland in the Torres Strait is allowed but restricted on some days.

Entry requirements: Authorities require all arriving travellers to complete an online Papua New Guinea Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) for up to 72 hours prior to arrival, replacing the paper-based form filled out upon arrival.

Identification

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Papua New Guinea. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure and have one blank page.
Travellers with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral" are not allowed entry. The country's laws on LGBTQ people are conservative, and overall social acceptance is low. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer travellers in Papua New Guinea might face legal and social difficulties.

Required Documents

Entry requirement: Authorities require all arriving travellers to complete an online Papua New Guinea Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) for up to 72 hours prior to arrival, replacing the paper-based form filled out upon arrival. Document link: https://pngdac.ica.gov.pg/sbs-dac-ui/#/home

Road Travel

Traffic moves on the left in Papua New Guinea. The speed limit is 60kph (37 mph) in urban areas and 75kph (46 mph) outside urban areas. The legal threshold for driving under the influence of alcohol is 0.8 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood. Paved roads are mainly in the capital. Travellers should hire a 4WD vehicle if travelling outside the main urban areas due to poor road conditions, mountainous terrain and tropical climate. Travellers are advised not to self-drive in Papua New Guinea due to the risk of crime in some parts of the country. Animals, large potholes and careless pedestrians walking on the road make night driving on unlit back roads dangerous.

Rail Travel

There is no rail transport in Papua New Guinea.

Public Transport

There are various means of public transport in Papua New Guinea, such as minivans, taxis and boats. However, due to security concerns, travellers should consider travelling by plane and arranging private transfers.

Buses: PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles) are minivans that function as non-scheduled buses and are a cost-effective way of getting around. However, PMVs are unreliable due to poor maintenance and have been targeted by criminals. There have been incidents of armed robberies of PMVs and of passengers being assaulted and robbed of their belongings.

Taxis: Taxis are available in some major cities. Several taxi companies operating in Papua New Guinea are identified by the ‘T’ on their number plates. Pre-arranged vetted transport from specialist providers and security companies is strongly recommended due to the prevalence of fake licences and registrations issued by corrupt officials.

Vehicle Hire: There are several international and local car rental companies in Port Moresby. An international driving licence is required to rent a vehicle.

Ferries and Boats: Outboard-powered dinghies are an inexpensive means of transport. However, passengers should avoid travelling by boat, as safety equipment, bad weather and the presence of pirates can make boat travel dangerous.

Movement Control Orders

The mountainous area in central Bougainville Island, around the old Panguna mine, is a 'No-Go Zone'. Foreign visitors caught in this zone have been subject to questioning - in some cases for many days - and have had their passports withheld.