Papua New Guinea has taken a decisive step towards modernizing its border controls with South Africa. launch of a new digital arrival card and a dedicated operations center. This initiative, led by the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority, aims to significantly improve the security and efficiency of the country's borders. This new formality has been in force since October 01, 2025.
Digital arrival card to enter the country
The new digital system, called PNG Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC)replaces the traditional paper arrival card with a secure online platform. Travelers to the country will now be able to complete their declarations digitally up to 72 hours before boarding, without paying consular fees. This innovation has the dual aim of simplifying procedures for passengers, while providing border agencies with precise, real-time information on arrivals.
How do I get PNGDAC?
- Submit your request online via the official platform pngdac.ica.gov.pg
- Indicate your personal information (passport number, nationality, profession, etc.) and your entry information (travel dates, flight number, address in Papua New Guinea...)
- Answer questions about health, customs, recent travels and countries visited
- Confirm your request. You will receive a confirmation of your travel document by email.
- Once validated, all you have to do is print it out and send it to present to an immigration officer upon arrival in the country.
Some important information about the visa
The PNG arrival card is not a visaFor this reason, it's important to make sure you understand the conditions for entering the country. Electronic visas are available for all nationalities. You can check your eligibility on the authorities' official website ica.gov.pg/. Depending on your nationality and the reason for your trip, several procedures are available, including Easy Visitor Permit 30 or 60 daysMost travelers are eligible. For other nationalities, it is possible to apply for a visa on arrival or request the electronic tourist visa (e-Visa)depending on whether your trip is organized as an individual or a group.
The goal: secure borders
At the same time, a Immigration Operations Command Center (IOCC) was inaugurated. It will serve as a hub for immigration intelligence and risk assessment, thanks to the continuous analysis of passenger data.
According to Mr. Clarence Parisau, Deputy Chief of Immigration, this technological advance represents a first for the country. "For the first time, Immigration, Customs and the National Inspectorate of Agriculture and Quarantine (NAQIA) have been integrated into a single information system," he said. This integration guarantees reinforced border securityfaster processing and smarter facilitation of travel and trade.
He also stressed the importance of this project for national security: "This is not just a technological achievement; it's a national security priority. It strengthens our ability to protect the people of Papua New Guinea, secure our borders and boost tourism and trade".
These new systems comply with the international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), bringing Papua New Guinea's borders into line with global standards.
The future of this project is already in the pipeline, with a second phase that plans to integrate data from all airlines and ships, taking the country's border security "to the next level".
This new digital arrival procedure, the PNGDAC, is designed to replace the paper card, so there will be a short transition period. Authorities will accept arrivals with paper forms, before switching definitively to digital format. Further announcements will be made by the authorities as soon as paper cards are phased out.
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