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Papua New Guinea Work Visa
-
Drew Donnelly
- Published
- July 9, 2026
Gain valuable insights with our guide to Papua New Guinea work visas, covering all essential requirements, application steps, and multiple visa options.
Work Visa at a glance
Work Permit, Business Visa, Temporary Resident Permit
4–10 weeks
1–2 years
Yes
Employer sponsorship required; Department of Labour and Industrial Relations approval
PGK 3.50/hour national minimum wage
Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu (all official); English used in business and government
Permanent residence after 8 years of continuous lawful residence
PGK 500–2,000 depending on permit type
Dependent permit available for accompanying family members
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Key Takeaways
- Foreign nationals require a Work Permit from the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations (DLIR) and a Temporary Resident Permit from the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA) before commencing paid employment in PNG.
- PNG’s resources sector (oil, gas, gold, copper), construction, and professional services are the primary employers of expatriate workers.
- PNG has a Citizenship and Investment Programme; certain investment-linked categories may provide accelerated residence pathways for qualifying investors and senior executives.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea (sharing the island with Indonesia’s Papua province) plus numerous offshore islands in Melanesia. Port Moresby is the capital; Lae is the main industrial and commercial centre. PNG is one of the world’s most resource-rich nations, with significant oil, gas, gold, copper, and forestry industries. The economy also includes agriculture (coffee, cocoa, palm oil) and a growing services sector. PNG has extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity, with over 800 languages spoken. The Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA) administers visas; the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations (DLIR) administers work permits.
When Is a Work Visa Needed in Papua New Guinea?
Under PNG immigration law, any foreign national intending to engage in paid employment must hold a valid Work Permit from DLIR and a Temporary Resident Permit from ICSA. The requirement applies to:
- Employees of PNG-registered companies including resource sector operators
- Intra-company transferees to PNG subsidiaries, project offices, or joint ventures
- Technical specialists and consultants on projects exceeding 60 days
- Foreign directors and key executives of PNG-registered entities
- NGO and development sector workers receiving a salary
Types of Papua New Guinea Work Visas and Permits
Work Permit (DLIR)
The Work Permit is issued by DLIR and is the primary employment authorisation for foreign nationals. The employer must demonstrate that the role requires skills not readily available locally and comply with DLIR’s localisation requirements. Work Permits are employer-tied and role-specific, valid for one to two years and renewable.
Temporary Resident Permit (ICSA)
All foreign nationals residing in PNG for employment purposes must hold a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from ICSA in addition to the DLIR Work Permit. The TRP is applied for concurrently with or immediately after the Work Permit. It must be renewed annually in line with the Work Permit.
Business Visa
Short-term commercial visits — meetings, site inspections, bid presentations — may be conducted on a Business Visa for up to 60 days. Business Visas are obtainable on arrival at Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport for nationals of most countries. The Business Visa does not authorise paid employment.
Special Purpose Business Visa (SPBV)
The SPBV is issued for specific short-term technical or specialist activities (up to 30 days). It is processed by ICSA and is useful for emergency technical interventions in the resources sector where a standard Work Permit application would take too long.
How to Apply for a Work Visa in Papua New Guinea
1
Employer Applies to DLIR for Work Permit
The employer submits the Work Permit application to DLIR in Port Moresby. Required documents: company registration certificate; signed employment contract; detailed job description justifying the foreign hire; training and localisation plan; the applicant’s certified qualifications and CV; police clearance; and medical certificate.
2
Employer Applies to ICSA for Temporary Resident Permit
Simultaneously, the employer applies to ICSA for the Temporary Resident Permit. Required documents mirror the DLIR package. ICSA also requires a health clearance (including HIV, TB, and hepatitis screening) for all applicants.
3
Foreign National Obtains Entry Visa
Once DLIR and ICSA approve the permits, nationals of countries not eligible for visa on arrival must obtain an entry visa from a PNG diplomatic mission. Most nationalities (including Australian, New Zealand, EU, US, and UK nationals) can obtain a visa on arrival at Port Moresby.
4
Enter PNG and Complete Medical
On arrival, the worker presents the Work Permit and TRP approvals to immigration officials. If the in-country medical examination has not been completed prior to arrival, it must be completed within 30 days of arrival at an ICSA-approved medical centre.
5
Register with NASFUND and IRC
The employer must register the foreign worker with the National Superannuation Fund (NASFUND) for mandatory superannuation contributions, and with the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) for PAYE income tax withholding. Both must be completed before the first payroll.
6
Annual Renewal
Both the DLIR Work Permit and the ICSA Temporary Resident Permit must be renewed annually. The employer should also submit an updated localisation plan demonstrating progress on training and employing PNG nationals. Renewals should be initiated at least 60 days before expiry.
Papua New Guinea Work Permit Costs and Fees
PNG immigration and work permit fees are denominated in PNG Kina (PGK) and AUD for some processes:
| Cost Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| DLIR Work Permit | PGK 500–2,000 per year |
| ICSA Temporary Resident Permit | PGK 500–1,500 per year |
| NASFUND Employer Contributions | 8.4% of gross salary per enrolled employee |
| Medical Examination | PGK 200–500 |
Professional service fees add USD 800–2,000. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 2,000 to USD 5,000.
Papua New Guinea Work Visa Sponsorship
PNG Work Permits and Temporary Resident Permits are employer-tied. Changes of employer require new DLIR and ICSA applications. Employers must notify both DLIR and ICSA within 30 days if employment ends before the permit expires.
Employers must comply with the Employment Act 1978 of PNG, the Industrial Relations Act, and NASFUND superannuation contribution obligations. DLIR also requires employers to submit annual localisation progress reports.
For international companies without a PNG entity, an EOR registered in PNG can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the DLIR and ICSA processes, NASFUND registration, payroll in PGK, and Employment Act compliance.
Work in Papua New Guinea with Confidence
PNG’s work permit system requires navigating two separate authorities — DLIR for the work permit and ICSA for the residence permit — which makes early coordination essential. The resources and construction sectors have well-established expedited procedures, particularly for emergency technical deployments.
RemotePeople’s Pacific team provides end-to-end work permit management in Papua New Guinea.
Frequently Asked Questions
The DLIR requires employers of foreign nationals to submit a localisation plan alongside the Work Permit application, setting out how the employer intends to train and eventually replace the foreign worker with a PNG national. This reflects PNG government policy on developing local skills. Annual progress reports are required on renewal.
NASFUND (National Superannuation Fund) is PNG's mandatory superannuation scheme. Employers contribute 8.4% and employees 6% of gross salary monthly. All workers in PNG, including foreign nationals, must be enrolled. NASFUND benefits may be accessed on cessation of employment in PNG.
Port Moresby has a complex security environment, and employers typically provide security briefings, transport, and secure accommodation for expatriate workers. Many international companies use dedicated residential compounds. Security planning should be part of any deployment decision. Lae and provincial resource project sites have their own security considerations.
Yes. Spouses and dependent children may obtain a Dependent Permit from ICSA. Dependants wishing to work must obtain their own Work Permit and Temporary Resident Permit. International schools are available in Port Moresby for expatriate children.
Yes. An EOR registered in PNG with active DLIR standing can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the Work Permit and Temporary Resident Permit applications, NASFUND registration, IRC compliance, payroll in PGK, and full Employment Act compliance on behalf of an international company.
Relocate to Papua New Guinea
RemotePeople provides EOR services in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific. We manage DLIR Work Permit applications, ICSA Temporary Resident Permits, NASFUND registration, payroll in PGK, and Employment Act compliance.
Contact RemotePeople to start hiring in Papua New Guinea today.
