Many statutory bodies, including the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA), demand the need to show the National Identification (NID) card or the *new* Birth Certificate. There is, however, a real difficulty getting the card or the certificate to produce as evidence of citizenship at present. The delay can frustrate attempts to obtain a new passport too.
I read the information on the ICSA website regarding passport applications. And, at first, found it confusing especially *renewing* my passport. I assumed that since certain requirements changed, my *old* birth certificate was now invalid. I would have to go through the whole process of getting a new birth certificate or NID card. Fortunately, this was not the case.
In fact, it was easy and straightforward because I had already got my passport to present as evidence of citizenship. So, I thought I should share my experience to help others wanting to *renew* their passports.
As implied earlier, while fearing my application was likely to have the wrong attachments (and hence renewal delayed), I made several trips to the ICSA office at Waigani, Port Moresby, to get some answers.
To download the PNG passport application form (PDF Fillable), click here
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| Hong Kong Central - PNG passport holders get Visa On Arrival |
Q1. When to submit passport for renewal/extension of the expiry date
Submit the application 6 months before the due date. For example, for a passport that expires on the 6th of December 2023, the holder should submit their application after the 6th of June 2023.
This is important because those wanting to travel out of the country will have to have at least 6 months validity in their passports (same as travelling into the country).
Q2. What to do to renew an adult passport
- Passport - You do not need a National Identification card or birth certificate. Your evidence of citizenship is the existing passport. (If you are applying for a *new* passport, you are required to produce the NID card.)
- Passport photos - two passport photos must be signed and stamped by *a* legal/authorised person.
- Section 13 of the passport application form must be signed and stamped by *the* legal/authorised person.
- Write a brief but convincing statement about why your application should be considered favourably.
- Include the travel details (Section 10) if you have dates and flights booked/planned travel in advance.
- Processing Fee - pay (see processing fees below) at the Vulupindi Haus and attach the receipt.
Q3. What to do to renew a child passport
- Passport - same as above
- Passport photos - same as above
- Section 13 of the passport application form - same as above
- Write a brief but convincing statement about why your application should be considered favourably.
- Include the travel details (Section 10) if you have dates and flights booked/planned travel.
- Processing Fee - same as above
Additional documents
- Birth Certificate - attach the child's birth certificate whether your child is born overseas or in PNG.
- Parents' Passport bio page - attach a copy of both mother's and father's (or legal guardian's) passport bio page.
- Section 9 (parents/legal guardians' consent) is completed as required
For the applicants wanting to get a new passport, please refer to the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority website.
Top tip. Make sure you have followed all the instructions on PAGE 1 of the passport application form. If you are still in doubt, take your application to the ICSA office. Cross-check with the staff at the office. Finalise your application properly before submitting it.
PNG Passport Processing Fee
The normal processing fee is K100. It takes 15 working days (3 weeks) to process the application.
You can pay K300 to fast-track your application. It only takes 2 days to process the application if you pay K200 more.
Dealing with passport agents
Many Papua New Guineans and foreigners use passport agents in Port Moresby to process their passports and visas. Passport agents are everyday people who are front up at the immigration office at Waigani all day, only some are real businesses.
So, be careful when you deal with them.
If you are in Port Moresby (or travelling in) this information should be sufficient to get your passport ready and pick it up.
Best of all, it can be challenging to do it the first time. But, if you do it yourself, you'll find it easy to do it again.
PNG Travels and Destination
