Printer friendly version
Email
Papua New Guinea
Country Specific Information
On this page » |
|
July 18, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Papua New Guinea is a developing country in the Southwest Pacific. The capital is Port Moresby. Tourist facilities outside
major towns are limited. Crime is a serious concern throughout Papua New Guinea (please see the section on crime below). Read
the Department of State Background Notes on Papua New Guinea for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Travelers must possess a valid passport, onward/return airline ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for the intended visit. Travelers
may obtain business or tourist visas (valid for stays of up to 60 days, with extensions allowed for an additional 30 days)
upon arrival at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. All persons boarding international flights originating from
Papua New Guinea pay a departure fee, which should be included in airline fares. Travelers may obtain more information on
entry and exit requirements from the Embassy of Papua New Guinea, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC
20009, tel. 202-745-3680, fax 202-745-3679, e-mail at kunduwash@aol.com, or via the Papua New Guinea Embassy web site at http://www.pngembassy.org/.
Travelers who plan to transit or visit Australia must enter with an Australian visa or, if eligible, an Electronic Travel
Authority (ETA). The ETA replaces a visa and allows a stay of up to three months. It may be obtained for a small service fee
at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/. Airlines and many travel agents in the United States are also able to issue ETA’s. Travelers may obtain more information
about Australian entry requirements from the Australian Embassy at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel.
202-797-3000, or via the Australian Embassy's web site at http://www.austemb.org/.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau
of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension: Tension between communal or clan groups, particularly in the Highlands region, occasionally
leads to outbreaks of tribal fighting, often involving the use of firearms. Travelers should consult with their tour operator,
the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, or with Papua New Guinean authorities before visiting the region.
Visitors intending to travel to the autonomous region of Bougainville Island should contact the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby
for updated security information. Bougainville Island is not peaceful, law enforcement is weak, and tourist and transportation
facilities are limited. We advise travelers to Bougainville, as in other parts of Papua New Guinea, to exercise a high degree
of caution.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside
the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For
general information about appropriate measures that travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Papua New Guinea has a high crime rate. Numerous U.S. citizen residents and visitors have been victims of violent crime in
recent years, and they have sometimes suffered severe injuries. Carjackings, armed robberies, and stoning of vehicles are
problems in and around major cities such as Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, and Goroka, but can happen anywhere. Pickpockets
and bag-snatchers frequent crowded public areas. Hiking or other travel in rural areas and visiting isolated public sites
such as parks, golf courses, beaches, or cemeteries can be dangerous. Individuals traveling alone are at greater risk for
robbery or gang rape than are those who are part of an organized tour or under escort. Visitors to Papua New Guinea should
avoid using taxis or buses, known as Public Motor Vehicles (PMV's), and should instead rely on their sponsor or hotel to arrange
for taxi service or a rental car.
Road travel outside of major towns can be hazardous because criminals set up roadblocks near bridges, curves in the road,
or other features that restrict vehicle speed and mobility. Visitors should consult with the U.S. Embassy or with local law
enforcement officials concerning security conditions before driving between towns. (See also Traffic Safety and Road Conditions
below). Travel to isolated places in Papua New Guinea is possible primarily by small passenger aircraft; there are many small
airstrips throughout the country. Security measures at these airports are rare. Organized tours booked through travel agencies
remain the safest means to visit attractions in Papua New Guinea. The Embassy recommends that prospective visitors consult
a Primer on Personal Security for Visitors to Papua New Guinea at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1757.html
Kokoda Track: Americans should exercise a high degree of caution when walking the Kokoda Track and traveling through the areas
adjacent to each end of the track. Travelers should travel with guides from a reputable tour company. This is particularly
important given occasional threats by villagers to close parts of the track because of local land and compensation disputes. Trekkers
should ensure that their tour company provides a permit in return for fees paid for this purpose. The Kokoda Track Authority
(KTA) has stationed rangers along the track and at airports to collect fees from trekkers who have not obtained a valid trekking
permit. The KTA can be contacted on telephone (675) 325 6165 regarding payment of the applicable fee.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and
prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you understand the
local criminal justice process and to find an attorney, if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Papua New Guinea is: 000
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea vary from hospitals in Port Moresby and the larger towns to aid posts (including some
missionary stations) in remote areas. Medical facilities vary in quality, but those in the larger towns are usually adequate
for routine problems and some emergencies. However, equipment failures and sudden shortages of common medications can mean
that even routine treatments and procedures (such as X-rays) may become unavailable. A hyperbaric recompression chamber for
diving emergencies is available in Port Moresby. Pharmacies in Papua New Guinea are found only in urban centers and at missionary
clinics. They are small and may be inadequately stocked. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical
services.
Medical conditions arising as a result of diving accidents will almost always require medical evacuation to Australia, where
more sophisticated facilities are available. Medical evacuation companies could charge thousands of dollars to transport a
victim to Australia or the U.S. A last-minute, one-way commercial ticket from Port Moresby to Brisbane or Cairns costs upwards
of US$250 for economy class and upwards of US$550 for business class. The most commonly used facilities are in Brisbane and
Cairns, both in the Australian State of Queensland. Travelers who anticipate the possible need for medical treatment in Australia
should obtain entry permission for Australia in advance. Entry permission for Australia can be granted by the Australian Embassy
in Port Moresby, but it is easier to obtain it prior to leaving the United States (see section above on Entry/Exit Requirements).
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Papua New
Guinea. The Government of Papua New Guinea does not currently have any policy guidelines that prevent entry into the country
by short- and long-term travelers and/or residents.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please
see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Papua New Guinea is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate
in a particular location or circumstance.
Traffic in Papua New Guinea moves on the left. Travel on highways outside of major towns can be hazardous. Motor vehicle accidents
are a common cause of serious injury in Papua New Guinea, especially when passengers are sitting in the open bed of a pickup
truck. Drivers and passengers are advised to wear seatbelts. There is no countrywide road network; roads are generally in
poor repair, and flat tires occur routinely as a result of potholes and debris on the roadways. During the rainy season landslides
can be a problem on some stretches of the Highlands Highway between Lae and Mount Hagen. Criminal roadblocks have occurred
during the day and more widely after dark on the Highlands Highway. Visitors should consult with local authorities or the
U.S. Embassy before traveling on the Highlands Highway.
Crowds can react emotionally and violently after road accidents. Crowds form quickly after an accident and may attack those
whom they hold responsible, stoning and/or burning their vehicles. Friends and relatives of an injured party may demand immediate
compensation from the party they hold responsible for injuries, regardless of legal responsibility. Persons involved in accidents
usually should proceed directly to the nearest police station rather than stop at the scene of an accident.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web site of Papua New Guinea’s national tourism office and national authority responsible
for road safety. For specific information concerning Papua New Guinea driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory
insurance, please contact Papua New Guinea’s Tourist Promotion Authority via the Internet at http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Papua New Guinea’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site
at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Customs: Papua New Guinean and Australian customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or
export from Papua New Guinea and Australia of items such as firearms, certain prescription drugs, wooden artifacts, exotic
animals, food, and sexually explicit material. Other products may be subject to quarantine. It is advisable to contact the
Embassies of Papua New Guinea and Australia in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding each country’s customs
requirements. (See contact information above in section on Entry/Exit Requirements.)
Natural Disasters: Papua New Guinea is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and sudden tidal movements. There are numerous active volcanoes
throughout Papua New Guinea. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.
Documentation: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local
officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available.
Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating Papua New Guinea‘s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Papua New Guinea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Homosexual activity is illegal in Papua New Guinea. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living or traveling in Papua New Guinea are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
through the State Department's travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within
Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Embassy website is http://portmoresby.usembassy.gov. Americans without Internet access may register directly at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby and
obtain updated information on travel and security within Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Embassy is located on Douglas Street,
adjacent to the Bank of Papua New Guinea, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. That address should be used for courier deliveries. The
mailing address is P.O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, NCD 121, Papua New Guinea. The Embassy's telephone number is (675) 321-1455;
after hour’s duty officer telephone number is (675-601-9689); fax (675) 321-1593. Americans may submit consular inquiries
by e-mail to ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov.
****
This replaces the Country Specific Information for Papua New Guinea dated January 22, 2008, updating sections on Information
on Victims of Crime and Medical Facilities and Health Information.
