PNG Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea will engage the United States over the visa bond requirement affecting some PNG travellers, while urging citizens travelling overseas to strictly comply with the immigration laws and visa conditions of host countries.
The US State Department in a media report defended that the bond was not designed to discourage PNG travelers, saying the bond is refundable.
PM Marape in a statement last night said the Government respected the sovereign right of the United States to determine its immigration and border-security policies but would seek clarification on why PNG was included in the visa bond programme.
“The United States is an important and longstanding friend and partner of Papua New Guinea, and we respect its sovereign right to determine its Immigration and Visa Policies,” PM Marape said in a statement.
“We will, therefore, approach this matter respectfully and diplomatically.”
According to information published by the U.S. Department of State, Papua New Guineans may be subject to visa bonds when otherwise eligible for B-1/B-2 temporary business or tourist visas.
PNG was included in the programme from April 2, 2026, with the US Government linking the measure to matters including visa-overstay rates and immigration compliance.
PM Marape said the measure should not be interpreted as the United States closing its doors to Papua New Guineans or as a breakdown in bilateral relations.
“I want our people to understand that this is not a breakdown in Relations between Papua New Guinea and the United States,” he said.
“Our response should not be anger or unnecessary criticism.”
“Our response must be to understand why this Policy has been applied to us, correct whatever issues are within our responsibility, and make a strong case for Papua New Guinea to be reconsidered in future Reviews.”
PM Marape said the development should also serve as a reminder to Papua New Guineans that international travel comes with responsibilities.
He urged PNG citizens travelling to the United States, Australia, New Zealand and other countries to comply with the conditions of their visas and leave when their authorised period of stay expires.
“If Papua New Guineans are travelling Overseas on Visitor or Business Visas, then we must respect the Laws of the country that welcomes us,” he said.
“A Visa is not permission to remain indefinitely.”
PM Marape said visa overstays by a relatively small number of travellers could affect thousands of genuine PNG travellers, including students, business people, professionals, sportspeople and families.
He said the Government would direct the Department of Foreign Affairs to engage through PNG’s diplomatic representation in the United States and the US Embassy in Port Moresby to better understand the data and compliance concerns behind the visa bond arrangement.
The Government would also seek to improve public awareness and PNG’s compliance record, with the aim of having the country reconsidered when the United States reviews countries subject to visa bonds.
“If there are concerns about Papua New Guineans Overstaying Visas, then let us establish the facts and address them,” PM Marape said.
He also said the Government would raise concerns over the practical impact of a large refundable bond on genuine travelers from PNG, particularly small-business operators, professionals and families who may not have immediate access to large amounts of money.
“For many ordinary Papua New Guineans, a Bond running into tens of thousands of Kina is a considerable amount of money,” he said.
PM Marape also announced that the Government was considering reciprocal visa arrangements with countries around the world.
“We will also introduce Reciprocal Visa arrangements; that is a Policy our Government is looking at right now. This is not just for the USA, but for all countries,” he said.
He said PNG would consider applying similar visa arrangements based on how other countries treated Papua New Guinean travellers.
“If countries give Papua New Guineans Visa on Arrival, we will likewise consider giving their Citizens Visa on Arrival,” he said.
PM Marape stressed that the proposed policy was not targeted specifically at the United States but was part of a broader review of PNG’s immigration and visa arrangements.
He said reciprocity was intended to ensure PNG citizens and the PNG passport received appropriate treatment internationally while maintaining the country’s openness to tourists, investors, business travellers and development partners.
PM Marape also urged students and parents not to assume that every Papua New Guinean travelling to the United States would be required to pay the visa bond.
He said the published US visa-bond measures specifically concern certain applicants for B-1/B-2 temporary business and tourist visas, while student and exchange visitor visa categories are separate.
“Our young people studying overseas must continue to pursue their education with confidence,” he said.
PM Marape said PNG-US relations remained strong, with opportunities for greater cooperation in security, defense, education, trade and investment, energy, resources, infrastructure, climate resilience and people-to-people relations.
“America remains an important partner of Papua New Guinea and of our Pacific region. One Visa Policy should not define the entirety of our Relationship,” he said.
He called on Papua New Guineans travelling overseas to remember that their conduct also affects the reputation of the country.
“Every Papua New Guinean who travels abroad is, in some way, an ambassador for our country,” PM Marape said.
“When we respect another country’s Laws, respect our Visa Conditions and return home on time, we strengthen the credibility of the PNG Passport and make international travel easier for the Papua New Guineans who come after us.”
He said the Government would continue diplomatic engagement with the United States while reviewing PNG’s own visa arrangements to ensure they remained fair, reciprocal and in the national interest.