When you arrive in Papua New Guinea with a PNG eVisa, join the eVisa holder queue at Jacksons International Airport immigration, place your passport on the scanner, and show your eVisa confirmation (printed PDF or phone screen) to the immigration officer. Have your PNGDAC confirmation ready, answer brief questions, and verify your passport stamp before leaving the counter.
Article by the PNG Travel Compliance editorial team. Last updated: 14 September 2026. This guide is compiled from public ICA resources and traveller reports; it is not an official government publication. For authoritative information, visit ica.gov.pg.
Pre-Arrival Checklist & the PNG Digital Arrival Card
For the png evisa arrival process, holders need a printed or digital eVisa confirmation with a legible reference number, a passport valid for 6+ months with one blank page, and a completed PNGDAC before boarding.
- eVisa confirmation PDF on your phone or printed, with reference number and QR code visible.
- Passport valid at least 6 months from arrival date with one blank page.
- PNGDAC confirmation email received after submitting at pngdac.ica.gov.pg up to 72 hours before arrival.
- Return or onward ticket required for entry.
Submit the PNGDAC online to receive a confirmation email; airlines verify PNGDAC completion before issuing your boarding pass (boarding pass verification is mandatory). The PNGDAC is free of charge, mandatory since 1 October 2025 for every traveller including infants, with one form per person. An ICSA public notice dated 6 August 2026 reaffirmed this requirement for all airlines and ground handling agents. Self-service kiosks are available at Jacksons International Airport as a fallback if you have not submitted online.
Presenting Your PNG eVisa at the Border Step by Step
At immigration, PNG eVisa holders place their passport on the scanner, show the eVisa confirmation to the officer, and receive a stamped entry endorsement.
Prepare
Open the eVisa PDF on your phone or hold a printed copy; PNGDAC confirmation ready.
Follow
Signs from the arrivals corridor to the immigration hall.
Join
The eVisa holders queue; overhead signage distinguishes it from APEC, diplomatic, and PNG nationals lanes.
Present
Your passport on the scanner and display the eVisa confirmation with QR code or reference number visible.
Answer
Brief questions on purpose of visit, length of stay, and accommodation: “I’m here on a tourist eVisa, staying [X] days at [hotel].”
Verify
The passport stamp shows correct validity dates, permitted stay, and visa reference number before leaving the counter.
The PNG eVisa covers tourist visits (Easy Visitor Permit, up to 30 or 60 days) and business trips (Business Short-Term, single or multiple entry). In practice, having the eVisa PDF open and the PNGDAC confirmation email ready significantly reduces counter time at Jacksons International Airport.
Immigration Queues & Counter Procedure at Jacksons International Airport
The png evisa arrival process at Jacksons International Airport uses four segregated immigration lanes, with peak wait times of 15-45 minutes between 06:00-10:00.
Four lanes operate: PNG eVisa holders, APEC Business Travel Card, diplomatic, and PNG nationals. Identify your lane by overhead signage before joining. Peak arrival banks between 06:00-10:00 (GMT+10) bring wait times of 15-45 minutes; off-peak queues clear in 5-10 minutes. Arrive at the counter with your passport open to the photo page and phone unlocked showing the eVisa PDF to reduce interaction time.
At the counter, the immigration officer captures a digital facial photograph and fingerprint scans of both index fingers, standard procedure at Jacksons International Airport. The officer then stamps your passport with validity dates, permitted stay duration, and visa reference number. Verify accuracy before stepping away; if the stamp shows incorrect dates, notify the officer immediately.
After Immigration: Customs, Biosecurity & Connecting to Provincial PNG
After immigration at Jacksons International Airport, all carry-on bags pass through a mandatory X-ray scanner; vape products are banned, and currency above PGK 20,000 equivalent must be declared.
Proceed to baggage claim and locate your carousel by flight number. All carry-on bags go through a mandatory X-ray scanner; officers may open bags physically. Vape products are banned (effective 2025) and will be confiscated. Currency above PGK 20,000 equivalent must be declared on both entry and exit from Papua New Guinea.
For domestic connections, walk from the international to the domestic terminal and re-check your baggage. Air Niugini operates flights to Nadzab/Lae (LAE), Tokua/Rabaul (RAB), Buka (BUA), and Daru (DAU). Allow 45-60 minutes for transfer.
Practical Services at Jacksons International Airport
Jacksons International Airport’s arrival hall offers Digicel SIM card kiosks, BSP ATMs, currency exchange, and an authorised taxi stand, all located landside after immigration.
- SIM cards: Digicel kiosk in the arrival hall; English is widely spoken in Papua New Guinea.
- ATM & exchange: BSP ATMs available; local currency is PGK; US dollars accepted in Port Moresby.
- Transport: Authorised taxi stand immediately outside the international exit; pre-arranged hotel shuttles meet passengers at a designated point. Use registered airport transport only.
- Local context: Time zone GMT+10 (no daylight saving time).
Frequently Asked Questions: PNG eVisa Arrival Process
A digital eVisa confirmation on a phone screen is accepted at PNG immigration, but carrying a printed PDF backup is strongly recommended in case of system errors.
Do I need a printed copy of my PNG eVisa, or is a digital copy enough?
A digital copy on your phone is accepted, but a printed PDF backup is strongly recommended in case of device failure or system errors at immigration.
How long does immigration take at Jacksons International Airport?
Typically 5-10 minutes off-peak and 15-45 minutes during morning arrival banks (06:00-10:00 GMT+10).
Can I use ePassport gates at POM with my PNG eVisa?
PNG eVisa holders proceed to the manned immigration counter; ePassport gates are not available for eVisa processing at Jacksons International Airport.
What questions will the immigration officer ask?
Typically: purpose of visit, length of stay, accommodation address, and return or onward travel plans.
What happens if my PNG eVisa does not appear in the system?
Request the immigration supervisor; present your printed PDF and reference number. The officer may contact ICA to confirm your entry permit status.
Is the PNGDAC mandatory for every traveller?
Yes, mandatory since 1 October 2025 for all air travellers, including infants. One form per person. An ICSA notice of 6 August 2026 reaffirmed this requirement.
What items are prohibited in my baggage?
Certain agricultural products, vape products (banned since 2025), and some electronics require permits. Declare currency above PGK 20,000.
Can I get a visa on arrival instead of an eVisa?
Some nationalities may be eligible for a visa on arrival at POM, but the PNG eVisa is recommended for faster immigration processing.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Use the authorised taxi stand outside the international exit or a pre-arranged hotel shuttle. Avoid unregistered transport.
What if my passport stamp has the wrong date?
Notify the immigration officer immediately before leaving the counter. Do not walk away with an incorrect stamp.
Do I need a Yellow Fever certificate?
A Yellow Fever certificate is required only if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
