Papua New Guinea entry requirements for South Korea passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
South Korean passport holders need a visa to enter Papua New Guinea. You must arrange this before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option for Korean nationals as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply before travel | You need a visa to enter Papua New Guinea. Apply through the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority at immigration.gov.pg. Processing times vary — start at least 4 weeks before your trip.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your South Korean passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Papua New Guinea. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by law, but airlines may enforce 6 months — check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return or onward ticket ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Hotel bookings or a letter of invitation from your host can speed up immigration. Officers may ask where you are staying — have the address and contact details handy. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Carry evidence of sufficient funds — bank statements or a credit card with a reasonable limit. Immigration may ask how you plan to support yourself during your stay. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival — apply before you fly
South Korean passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Papua New Guinea. You must have a visa issued by an embassy before you board your flight. Airlines will check this before letting you check in.
Medical evacuation insurance is a must
Papua New Guinea has limited medical facilities, especially outside Port Moresby. If you get seriously injured or sick, you'll likely need to be evacuated to Australia or Singapore. Make sure your travel insurance covers emergency evacuation — it can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at the PNG embassy
Contact the Papua New Guinea embassy in Seoul (or the nearest consulate) to submit your visa application. You'll need to provide your passport, photos, flight itinerary, accommodation details, and possibly a letter of invitation or proof of funds. Processing takes 2–4 weeks, so apply at least a month before your trip.
2
Prepare your documents for arrival
Once your visa is approved, print a copy of the visa and keep it with your passport. Also print or save digital copies of your return ticket, hotel booking, and insurance policy. At Port Moresby's Jacksons International Airport, immigration officers will check your visa, passport validity, and onward ticket.
3
Arrive and go through immigration
At the airport, join the queue for foreign passport holders. Hand over your passport with the visa, your boarding pass, and your arrival card (you'll fill this out on the plane). The officer may ask about your purpose of visit and where you're staying. Answer clearly and briefly. After stamping, you're free to enter.
Download Papua New Guinea Entry Checklist
PDF · South Korea Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa single entry
Max stay60 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
CostPGK 200 (~$55 USD)
Standard tourist visa for short visits.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay60 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue date
CostPGK 500 (~$140 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers.
Business visa
Max stay90 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
CostPGK 400 (~$112 USD)
Requires invitation letter from Papua New Guinea company.
work visa
Work Permit / Employment Visa
1 year, renewable annually
PGK 1,000 (~$280 USD) plus processing fees
For foreign nationals with a job offer in Papua New Guinea. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from the Department of Labour.
investor visa
Investor Visa
1 year, renewable annually
PGK 2,000 (~$560 USD) plus investment proof
For individuals investing at least PGK 500,000 in a local business. Requires business plan and approval from Investment Promotion Authority.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of course, renewable
PGK 500 (~$140 USD) per year
For enrolment in accredited educational institutions in Papua New Guinea. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for single-entry tourist visa. | PGK 200 (~$55 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | PGK 500 (~$140 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa validity. | PGK 100 (~$28 USD) per day, max PGK 5,000 (~$1,400 USD) |
| Stay extension costExtension may be possible for up to 30 days, subject to approval. | PGK 300 (~$84 USD) per extension |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Papua New Guinea
Transit visa required
South Korea passport holders transiting through Papua New Guinea must obtain a transit visa unless they remain airside and have a confirmed onward flight within 24 hours.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of valid visas for Australia, New Zealand, or the United States may transit without a visa for up to 24 hours.
Transit hubsJacksons International Airport (POM), Port Moresby · Lae Nadzab Airport (LAE), Lae
Health & vaccines for Papua New Guinea
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderJapanese EncephalitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in rural areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue FeverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; outbreaks occur, especially in urban areas.
TuberculosisModerate risk
High incidence; avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present in all regions, including urban areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil) is strongly recommended. Use insect repellent and mosquito nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) Headquarters
P.O. Box 734, Port Moresby, NCD
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and inquiries.
Lae
ICA Lae Regional Office
P.O. Box 123, Lae, Morobe Province
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles visa matters for the Highlands region.
Practical information for KR travellers
Country basics
CapitalPort Moresby
LanguageEnglish, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 3 months.
Money
CurrencyPapua New Guinean kina (PGK)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4.35 PGK
Time zone
Local timeUTC+10
vs New York+15h
vs Los Angeles+18h
Electricity
Voltage240V / 50Hz
Plug types
IAustralian/New Zealand type I plug with three flat pins
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. There is no visa on arrival for South Korean nationals. You must obtain a visa from a Papua New Guinea embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. Apply at least a month before your planned departure to avoid delays.
You apply through the Papua New Guinea Embassy in Seoul. Check their website for the latest application forms and requirements. If there's no embassy in your country, you may need to apply through the PNG embassy in a neighboring country.
You'll generally need: a valid passport (6+ months validity), completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, proof of sufficient funds, and a cover letter explaining your purpose of visit. Some applications may also require a letter of invitation or a police clearance certificate.
Visa fees vary by type and nationality. Expect to pay around 50–100 USD for a tourist visa. Check with the embassy for the exact fee in your currency.
Extensions are not available for tourist visas. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or deportation.
It's not officially required for entry, but it's strongly recommended. Medical care in PNG is limited and expensive — evacuation to Australia can cost thousands of dollars.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.