Work Permit in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Work Visa is categorized as follows:

Business Visa

The Business Visa grants entry into and permission to the visa holder to conduct business-related activities in the country. Activities such as business meetings, negotiations, board meetings, and conferences are allowed. The Papua New Guinea government strictly prohibits employment for the holders of this Visa.

Restricted Employment Visa

This visa category is intended for non-nationals with specialized or technical talents which are not available in the country. This visa is only valid for temporary positions. Visa holders are only allowed to stay for thirty days or fewer at a given time and can only visit the nation four times in a twelve-month period.

Working Resident Visa

‍Individuals who wish to find legal employment in the country must apply for a Working Resident Visa. Consultants, Specialists, and Investors will also have to apply for this Visa to gain entry into Papua New Guinea. The validity period of this visa ranges from one year to a maximum of a three-year term.

The Papua New Guinea Work Permit is administered by the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations.

Work Permit

The Work Permit is a letter sent to an employer certifying that a non-citizen employee has been awarded a work permit in Papua New Guinea. The work permit must be kept by the employer and produced upon request to an Authorised Officer. The Work Visa process can be undertaken only after you, as the employer, have acquired the necessary work permits and sent them to your employee. The work permits, as a rule, are non-transferrable, either from one employee to another or from one employer to another.

Long Term Work Permit

A Long Term Work Permit is issued for one-year, two-years, and three-year periods. While three-year is the maximum length of a work permit at a time, in exceptional cases, Good Corporate Citizens are issued a work permit for a five-year term.

Short Term Work Permit

A Short Term Work Permit is granted for a maximum of six months. This work permit is non-renewable, and in case the employee has to stay in Papua New Guinea beyond six months, the employer has to apply for a Long Term Work Permit.

Bridging Work Permit

Granted for a short period, with a validity of sixty days from the day the permit is issued. The permit authorizes foreigners’ right to stay in the country if their current work permit is about to expire while their new work permit application is being processed. Applicants can also apply for this permit if they’re changing their employer or occupation and are waiting for a new work permit to be issued to them.

Work Permit Card

The Work Permit Card is given to every non-citizen who is granted a work permit. The Work Permit Card includes the non-citizen employee’s photograph, thumbprint, and other information. The employee must keep the work permit card handy (much like a driver’s license) and show it to an Authorised Officer upon request.

APEC Business Travel Card

‍Holders of the APEC Business Travel Card can participate in business meetings and negotiations but cannot hold employment positions in Papua New Guinea.

To apply for an Employment Visa, applicants have to produce the following documents at the Consulate:

• A completed Application for Entry Permit form
• A passport with validity for six months extending beyond the visa period; the passport should also have two blank pages for visa stamps.
• A copy of the candidate’s passport containing the biodata pages
• A letter of employment from the employer
• A Papua New Guinea Work Permit
• A police verification report; there should be no criminal charges registered against the candidate.
• A recent medical report and Doctor’s certificate
• A copy of the candidate’s educational qualifications and CV
• Incorporation Certificate of the company where the employee will be working
• A copy of the Maintenance Guarantee Bond paid by the candidate
• An IPA certificate that permits a foreign business organization to conduct work in Papua New Guinea (required only in a select few cases)

The application processing time differs depending on your employee’s country and visa and work permit type. Papua New Guinea has only a select few Embassies/Consulates around the globe.

An applicant can avail of the Visa services from the Papua New Guinea Embassies if your employee resides in the following countries, the list for which is provided here.

The nearest Australian Embassy will process the Visa application in the applicant’s respective countries for all the other countries.

Cost of Papua New Guinea Work Visa

The cost for different work visas is charged according to USD conversions and is as follow:

A complete updated list of the different visa costs can be found here.

The cost for different work permits, to be acquired by the employer, is as follows:

*All application fees for Papua New Guinea Work Permit are non-transferable as well as non-refundable. Therefore, if an application for a work permit is rejected, the fee paid will not be reverted to the applicant.

**The different Papua New Guinea Work Permit fees must be paid via cheque to the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations.

This Is How Multiplier Can Help With The Papua New Guinea Work Visa

We are a Global EOR firm with experience handling and supplying HR solutions, with a local presence in 150+ countries. For Multinational Corporate Companies that seek effective personnel management, our team of professionals can handle the process of onboarding and managing the staff.

The work permits for a Papua New Guinea Work Visa are varied, and the application process for the same is a multi-step and tedious process. Partnering with Multiplier and its in-house specialists can provide you with a one-stop solution to this entire process. Furthermore, we will take care of the applications and permits from the beginning and keep you updated on their developments.

Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 2024/25)

1. Is a work permit required to work in Papua New Guinea in 2024/2025?
   Yes, all foreign nationals intending to work in Papua New Guinea must obtain a valid work permit and work visa before they can legally engage in employment in the country.
2. How long does it take to process a Papua New Guinea work permit in 2025?
   The processing time for a Papua New Guinea work permit varies depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s country of residence. Due to high demand, processing times have been slightly extended in 2025, and it is advised to apply as early as possible. On average, it can take four to eight weeks.
3. What are the key documents required for a Papua New Guinea work visa?
   Key documents include:
   • A valid passport (minimum six months beyond visa period)
   • Completed visa application form
   • Employment offer letter from a Papua New Guinea-based employer
   • A Papua New Guinea Work Permit
   • Police clearance certificate
   • Recent medical report and doctor’s certificate
   • Copies of educational qualifications and CV
4. Are dependents allowed to join foreign workers in Papua New Guinea?
   Yes, dependents can join foreign workers on special visas. Additional documentation such as marriage or birth certificates will be required to prove the relationship between the worker and their dependents.
5. Can I apply for a Papua New Guinea work visa while already in the country?
   No, applicants must typically apply for their work permit and visa from their country of residence. Only after the work visa is granted can they enter Papua New Guinea for employment purposes.
6. What are the costs associated with a Papua New Guinea work visa in 2025?
   The costs depend on the type of visa. For instance:
   • Business Visa (Short-Term Single Entry): 190 USD
   • Restricted Employment Visa: 350 USD
   • Working Resident Visa (Employment/Consultant/Investor): 380 USD
     Additional processing fees may apply for expedited services.
7. Can Papua New Guinea work permits be renewed?
   Yes, most work permits can be renewed, such as the Long Term Work Permit. However, the Short Term Work Permit is non-renewable. Renewal fees for long-term permits are 1,000 PGK per year.
8. What sectors are in high demand for foreign workers in Papua New Guinea in 2025?
   The mining, automation, hospitality, accountancy, and financial services industries are expected to have a strong demand for skilled expatriates in 2025.
9. Can an employer transfer a work permit from one employee to another?
   No, work permits in Papua New Guinea are non-transferable. Each work permit is specific to the employee and the employer. If an employee changes jobs or employers, they will need to apply for a new work permit.