Visa Conditions For Entry Into Png

[Fluppy]

Something on the tv show 'Border Security' here in Australia brought to my attention.

Here, in Australia, all criminal convictions must be declared before a Visa entry is granted.

Does Papua New Guinea have a similar thing in place?

I am asking because I am autistic. Before I was diagnosed with autism, I was charged (and convicted) of a number of serious assaults, resisting arrest and wilful damage.

That was roughly about 10 years ago. I have not been incarcerated (in prison) or had drug offences or murder or anything serious like that. However neither did the guy on Border Security (whom was denied his Visa) [although he did spend time in prison].

He was a bit sketchy on the details, but thought he was doing the right thing by declaring he had a criminal history.

I do not want to be in the same situation having trained and prepared for so long for this trek only to find I will not be granted a Visa for entry into PNG due to my past and/or pre-existing condition.

One of the reasons I am trekking Kokoda is to raise awareness of autism and autism-related conditions to get teenagers/young adults the funding and the help they need for treatment – so they won't have to go through what I went through and so can avoid confrontations with people in authority/having a criminal history.

Any information regarding Visa entry conditions into Papua New Guinea would be greatly appreciated and would assist me in my planning/preparation of trekking Kokoda.

Thanks all in advance

[Mrs Moo]

Hi Fluppy

This website should tell you all you need to know.

http://www.pngcanberra.org/visas/index.htm

[Fluppy]

Thank you Miss Moo.

Saved the link in my favourites and had a brief glance through. It seems most declarations need to be made if you are intending to reside/work in PNG for 6 months or more. Nothing about if you're only going to be in the country for 10 days

So I think I will need to investigate a little further…

[Boss Meri]

Fluppy, obtain a visitors visa from one of the PNG embassies in Australia and they will just stamp your passport and let you pass through here in PNG. Then you obtain your baggage and will have to pass by the customs inspectors who will either check your bags or just let you go through.

Here in PNG its pretty much laid back. About the only thing they do is hit us with duty for anything we bring thats in bulk as they then think we are going to sell it or its for commercial use.

Have been coming in and out of the country since 1972 and have not seen anyone get the kind of treatment that happens on the show you referred to, Border Security.

No doubt there are special cases where someone tips off the customs people that someone might be carrying drugs or whatever but definitely not the norm.

In fact just last week one of our guides came in on a chartered flight from Kokoda and he did not wrap up his axe that he carries when he walks the track. When the flight landed in Port Moresby instead of offloading at the charter area they ended up at the domestic terminal. On the flight was a new guy to Port Moresby and the bloke with the axe forgot all about him as he tried to wrap his axe up with his shirt just in case it was taken off him.

However, he could not do this quickly enough and they were told to move. Off he went axe in hand and no-one even approached him. He then laughed as he re told the story how one of the other passengers on the flight was dismayed to see the first timer trying to get out of his seat belt.

Apparently with the guide otherwise occupied, he simply stood up and wriggled his way free not knowing you could simply under do the belt!

[Fluppy]

Thank you so much for your advice/suggestion/information Boss Meri and Mrs Moo. It has been most helpful. Boss Meri, you had me smiling with the axe story and the seat belt guy. You never know… the guy in the seatbelt might've asked the guide (had he'd not been busy) to cut him free with his axe

[Author]

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