PNG no longer issuing tourist visa

I went to the PNG consulate yesterday in Jayapura hoping to get the normal 60 day tourist visa. I was told that the land border crossing was now closed due to security reasons, prob political, and that they were no longer issuing tourist visas to foreigners except Indonesians. The girl behind the desk looked terrified when i walked in the office. Her English was pretty good but when probed about why i could not get a visa she looked even more scared. She just sat there speechless with her mouth open wide. Not another word.

Would advise calling the consulate if you want to go. Perhaps its just a blip and they will be issuing them again soon. By the way, don't rely on the official PNG website to tell you anything. When i checked it, all was OK.

Does anyone have any updates on this? I'm duen to be attempting this border in a couple of months.

All I can say that this consulate has had its ups and downs in the past, too.
When I first tried to go to PNG, no visas were issued, next year no problem, later issued but with much fuss...
Hopefully things will change for the better sooner rather than later, but all we can do is wait and see.
The much more expensive (ca $150) "business visa" may still be available - in recent times they sometimes pushed this one at would-be visitors in Jayapura.

Note that when the land border is closed, it is usually still possible to cross by chartered boat.

More here

what you have just experienced is the 'politics" at play with cross border countrys/i am reliably informed the border is open for all people as of today!!!the reluctance to issue visas into png at that place in entrop is common,they are gun shy because of the serious misuse of png visas by logging companys bringing in people!so they have huge pressure from moresby not to issue the visa,its all too hard so they just turn you away with the old line "the border is closed",thats why the woman was not able to answer you,going the opposite way from vanimo to jayapura is pretty simlple,overnite process.some countrys are not permitted to obtain visa into png from indo...maybe you fell into this weird category?i note that this is your 1st post on thorn tree???