Non-citizens who overstayed their visa and unlawfully resides in Papua New Guinea must immediately report in person to the Immigration and Citizenship Authority to be assisted through an in-country visa reissuance incentive, the Chief Migration Officer Mr. Stanis Hulahau says.
“The in-country visa reissuance incentive is specifically designed to assist non-citizens who were unable to travel out of the country as a result of the pandemic and the closure of international borders and as a result have overstayed,” says Mr Hulahau.
The PNG Immigration and Citizenship is providing this incentive to assist unlawful non-citizens and those whose visa nears expiration to come forward voluntarily and be assisted through this pathway.
Mr Hulahau says an increasing number of non-citizens have their visas either expired or nears expiration date but failed to renew it and he warned that they need to contact the authority to seek a pathway that best suits them.
“We are providing this initiative because we understand the difficulties the Covid-19 pandemic has caused that resulted in closure of borders and disruption of international flights and we really want to assist them by offering an extension or reissuance of their visa while they are still in the country.
A key requirement under the Migration Regulation 1979, requires non-citizens to leave the country and reapply for a visa to come back. However, with the pandemic situation, ICA is providing pathways to assist over stayers to come forward and reapply in-country.
Mr Hulahau cautioned the over stayers not take advantage of PNG’s caring attitude and warned that ICA will come down hard on those that are taking advantage of the current Covid-19 situation and are not renewing their visas.
“We are giving a two month grace period to over stayers and unlawful non-citizens to come forward voluntarily,” warned the Chief Migration Officer.
Over stayers are encouraged to make contact with the Visa Management Team on email kkapus@immigration.gov.pg or call 327 6183 for assistance in this regard.