Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Suspension of VoA Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
csabao 15:48 UTC 15 Oct 2018 | Thanks to helpful advice here I have bought a plane ticket to PNG for November 17. But visa on arrival is suspended for November: http://www.immigration.gov.pg/ (second item) Living in Norway; will stay in Brisbane a few days before my intended travel. Anybody has any idea of - whether it is feasible to get a visa from Europe in short time? - whether one can get a visa in Brisbane in a few days (for European citizen)? This sucks; I was very much looking forward to the trip. |
friendly_checkingirl 19:31 UTC 15 Oct 2018 | That is really rotten luck but you still have a month before you're due to fly.. The PNG embassy in Brussels seems to be the contact for all European citizens, I'd ring them and ask. https://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy17623/ | 1
majordom 21:42 UTC 15 Oct 2018 | formal announcement here https://www.immigration.gov.pg/component/content/article/8-general/148-png-immigration-suspending-visa-on-arrival-to-enhance-border-security-for-apec.html https://www.immigration.gov.pg/images/documents/Media_Realeases/Public_Notices/Media%20Release-Suspension%20of%20VoA.pdf Temporary suspension to Visa on Arrival (VoA) as part of enhanced border security measures in the lead up to APEC Leaders Week. The suspension will be in effect from 30 October and remain for the duration of November 2018. VoA resumes on 1 Dec 2018 news story here http://www.looppng.com/png-news/temporary-suspension-visa-arrival-80139 as per above contact the embassy in Brussels and/or Consulate in Brisbane and see what they advise - report back as i am sure you are not the only one with this problem | 2
csabao 23:35 UTC 15 Oct 2018 | Thanks @friendly_checkingirl and @majordom . Rotten luck indeed. Will contact Brussels and Brisbane and report back in a few days (stuck in Seoul ATM). Anyone have other recommendations in case PNG doesn't work out? (6 days r/t from BNE) Had an amazing trip to Tanna, Vanuatu, once. There are affordable flights to Bunda, Solomons. Is that worth a trip? Acquaintances say skip Nouvelle Caledonie. | 3
Laszlo 03:54 UTC 16 Oct 2018 | At least in the past, in countries with no PNG embassies, the Australian embassy could also arrange PNG visas, though it wasn't a fast process. I once applied this way in Budapest. Ask them in Oslo. As for the alternatives, the Solomons were my least favourite country in Melanesia, far less nice than PNG and Vanuatu. I loved New Caledonia, but it's obviously quite different. | 4
csabao 15:19 UTC 16 Oct 2018 | Szia Lászlo! Slow process sounds bad given that Australia doesn't have a mission in Oslo. Copenhagen closest. Thanks for your advice, which is interesting since a friend could join me to New Caledonia. (Wrong thread, I know, but still: any concrete tips for 6 days in NC?) PS! I am still grateful to you, @Laszlo, for suggesting Tanna last time I had a conference down south. That was bulls eye! | 5
csabao 12:12 UTC 25 Oct 2018 | I managed to talk to a person at the PNG Embassy in Belgium. The procedure seems to be that you need to send them PASSPORT, one passport photo, application for entry form form filled in, health form filled in, proof of funds. Application fee 40 EUR. "Express couriers" for sending passport and applications back and forth. According to the person the processing time is about 5 working days. A quick search on the web site of the PNG consulate in Brisbane seemed to show that processing times for visas is 15 days! In the end, with much work here, it got too close to comfort for my work trip to AUS, so I unfortunately had to back out. The good news is that Air Niugini supposedly will refund 75% of the air fare (economy!). I trust @Laszlo, so I guess I am off to New Caledonia instead. | 6
Laszlo 12:20 UTC 25 Oct 2018 | 6 days in NC? I would spend one in Noumea, another to visit the Isle of Pines, then tour the Northeast of Grande Terre, especially the Hienghiene area. Alternatively, you could just go from Noumea to one of the Loyalty Islands. | 7
csabao 20:34 UTC 25 Oct 2018 | Thanks, @Laszlo. Highly appreciated. | 8
Thorn Tree 01:00 UTC 26 Oct 2019 | This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you. | 9