Papua New Guinea has launched a new digital Sponsor Portal that makes work permit and visa applications convenient and easy. The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority explains that the platform allows employers to submit applications online, improving processing times and customer service. At the launch on Thursday, August 8th at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, the Acting Chief Migration Officer Wellington Navasivu said this will enhance oversight and convenience for businesses as the new system merges work permits and working resident visas into a single digital application. The Sponsor Portal is a web-based interface that allows private sector companies who employ foreign nationals to lodge a work permit and working resident visa in a single digital application. Acting CMO Navasivu explained that businesses with a streamlined process to lodge the combined work permit and employment visa online with a system that directly interfaces with the Immigration's (ICSA) Border Management System or BMS. "Users of the system can input data and pay the necessary Migration Service Fee (MSF) online at the convenience of their office anytime, anywhere, instead of physically visiting an Immigration Office.” The Sponsor Portal speeds up processing and improves customer service by allowing employers to track applications and communicate with ICSA directly. Employers will also get alerts when employee visas are about to expire. The portal will eventually replace the work permit system with a working resident visa, removing the need for a work permit letter and ID card. "This marks a key achievement for ICSA and the government in making it easier to do business," Acting CMO Navasivu said. "The system makes business more efficient, less cumbersome, but profitable, not just for us in terms of money, but time.” “So this is a tool that's part of our innovation, enhancing the power of technology into our business, and Sponsor Portal, for us, is a pathway to achieving all that." "As a little bit of a historic background, the Sponsor Portal, or Weapon Sponsor Portal, started months, months back." "The first announcement was made in August 2023, during our annual inaugural Immigration Conference at the Stanley House." "It took a while until now, almost a year or so” “We made specific announcements or updates, one of which is during the business conference in Brisbane, that these initiatives were announced.” “And we keep regularly updating the clients." "But we've come to the stage where we're not ready to go, following the launch.” "So, the specific points on the Sponsor Portal, and we aim that this process, or the portal will provide a streamlined business process for us, for yourselves and us.” “And it will work, basically, to achieve one thing, streamlining your visa and work permit application process, and further achieving, among others, less processing times, and also easy access for clients to be able to have interface with us through the medium." "One of the benefits is that you are able to import and pay for applications at the comfort of your office, or your home - and now with a smartphone, you can be able to achieve that, but more so, it will significantly improve the processing times and enhance customer experience for yourselves via this system." "The system will also allow for you to communicate, so interact with the office, and you'll be able to have a timely response." "ICSA will just have an oversight, a management oversight, of all the employees on the system, including the alerts and visa expiry timelines." "There are employees who've got big numbers, and we've been doing business with them, but those of you in the room today to witness the launch are really selected to participate in the initial launch," the Acting CMO told those present at the launch. This was before the PNG ICSA IT General Member conducted a step-by-step presentation on how to access the Sponsor Portal system, and how to use the featured systems, as well as conducting a Q & E session to further clarify what the web-based interface entails and how best users can benefit from its services. Selected companies have already started using the Portal, which requires a registration fee of USD25 and an additional USD75 per application. To access the Portal, go on the immigration website www.ica.gov.pg.