Work permit and work (entry) visa - now processed by the Immigration and Citizenship Authority
Foreign workers in Papua New Guinea need a work permit and a work visa (entry permit). Since late 2021 the Foreign Employment Division that issued work permits has been merged into the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA), which now processes both. The government says the aim is a one-stop system and that foreign workers should help train Papua New Guineans to take over their positions.
1 entry rule for Papua New Guinea based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country or having transited any airport in one need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Papua New Guinea
Money
3
Currency
Papua New Guinean Kina
PGK
Papua New Guinean Kina
Cost of living
67
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
30–42%
Income tax (national)
GST 10%
Resident tax-free threshold PGK 20,000 a year; 42% above PGK 250,000.
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals hired by employers in Papua New Guinea.
Eligibility
Work permit and visa
Immigration (ICA) now facilitates the processing and issue of the entry permit as well as the work permit, after the merger of the Foreign Employment Division into ICA.
Skills transfer expectation
The Prime Minister said at the merger launch that work permits and visas should go to people who will contribute to training and developing Papua New Guineans.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistWork permit application
- FeesWork permit and visa fees
- Steps to applyThe employer applies to ICA for the work permit
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Papua New Guinea
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Papua New Guinea
All routes to Papua New Guinea →Work permits in other countries
- PhilippinesPre-arranged Employment Visa 9(g) (Commercial) with DOLE Alien Employment Permit
- PakistanWork visa
- PolandWork permit for a Polish entity entrusting work to a foreigner (formerly type A) and temporary residence and work permit
- PortugalResidence visa and residence permit for highly qualified activity (art. 61/61-A and art. 90) and EU Blue Card
- PalauNonresident worker permit
- QatarWork Residence Permit (RP) – employer-sponsored
