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🇿🇦South Africa
🇵🇬Papua New GuineaZA-PG

South Africa to Papua New Guinea visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders need an eVisa to visit Papua New Guinea for tourism. Apply online for the Easy Visitor Permit (EVP) before travelling; South Africa is not on the visa-on-arrival eligible list. A South Africa (ZA) ordinary passport holder must obtain a visa before travelling to Papua New Guinea (PG) for tourism. South Africa is not on PNG's visa-on-arrival eligible country list and is not visa-exempt, so the practical route is the online eVisa, known as the Easy Visitor Permit (EVP). It is issued for a 30-day single-entry stay for tourism or visiting, costs USD 50 (payable online in PGK equivalent), and is typically approved within 1-4 business days. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months. The EVP prohibits paid work and cannot be extended. Travellers should apply through the official ICA eVisa portal (evisa.ica.gov.pg) and carry the approval confirmation, proof of onward/return travel, accommodation details and sufficient funds. Visa-on-arrival, suspended globally in March 2020, has been reinstated only for ordinary passport holders of a limited list of countries that does not include South Africa, so SA travellers should not rely on obtaining a visa at the airport.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (Easy Visitor Permit, EVP) - tourism/visit
Maximum stay
30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 50 (payable online, PGK equivalent)
consular fee only
Processing time
1-4 business days (often within 24-48 hours)
standard track
Validity
Enter and use within validity window; 30-day stay from arrival, non-extendable
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eligibility and passport validity
Ensure your South African ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry and has blank pages. South Africa is not on the visa-on-arrival list, so plan to apply online before departure.
· 6-month validity· Apply before travel
/02
Gather supporting documents
Prepare a passport bio-page scan, a passport-style photo, return/onward flight details, accommodation booking and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
· Digital copies· JPG/PDF
/03
Create an account on the ICA eVisa portal
Register at the official PNG Immigration & Citizenship Authority eVisa portal (evisa.ica.gov.pg) and start a new Easy Visitor Permit (visitor/tourism) application.
· evisa.ica.gov.pg· Official portal only
/04
Complete the application and upload documents
Fill in personal, passport and travel details accurately, then upload the required documents. Errors can cause refusal or delay.
· Match passport exactly
/05
Pay the visa fee online
Pay the USD 50 fee by card; it is charged in the PGK equivalent. Keep the payment receipt.
· USD 50· Card payment
/06
Receive eVisa and travel
Wait 1-4 business days for the approval emailed to you. Print or save the eVisa confirmation and present it with your passport on arrival at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby.
· Carry printed copy· Show on arrival
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Papua New Guinea · eVisa (Easy Visitor Permit, EVP) - tourism/visit
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSouth African ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond entry
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least one blank passport page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved PNG eVisa (Easy Visitor Permit) confirmation printout
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photograph
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredAccommodation booking or host details
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RequiredPayment card for the USD 50 online fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalYellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic area
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
situational
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Application link included: PNG Immigration & Citizenship Authority (ICA) - Visitor Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa (Easy Visitor Permit) feeUSD 50Paid online during application, charged in PGK equivalent
Card/currency conversion chargeVariesBank or card issuer fee for international/USD-PGK transaction
Travel insurance (optional)VariesRecommended for medical coverage; not a visa requirement
Total estimateUSD 50USD 70incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Africa not on visa-on-arrival list
PNG reinstated visa-on-arrival only for ordinary passport holders of a limited set of countries that does not include South Africa, so VoA is not a reliable option.
High
/02
eVisa is the standard route for most nationalities
PNG channels the majority of tourist visitors through the online Easy Visitor Permit applied for before travel.
High
/03
No visa-waiver agreement
There is no mutual visa-exemption arrangement between South Africa and Papua New Guinea for ordinary passports.
Medium
/04
Short single-entry tourist stay
The 30-day single-entry EVP fits a typical short tourism or visit trip.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
South Africa to Papua New Guinea route verified
Confirmed via PNG ICA and visa policy sources that South African ordinary passport holders require an eVisa (30-day single-entry Easy Visitor Permit, USD 50); not eligible for visa-on-arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can South Africans get a visa on arrival in Papua New Guinea?
No. Visa-on-arrival has been reinstated only for ordinary passport holders of a limited list of countries that does not include South Africa. South Africans must apply for the eVisa online before travelling.
How long can I stay on the PNG eVisa?+
How much does the eVisa cost?+
How long does processing take?+
Can I work or do business on this visa?+
What passport validity do I need?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Africa passport

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