Government eases travel between Melanesian nations

THE people of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries such as Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu are now allowed visas on arrival into Papua New Guinea (PNG).
This was the announcement made yesterday by the Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau as well as the Acting Minister for Labour and Immigration John Rosso, after the borders had been shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) for two years.
Hulahau said that this was the first time since the forced border shut down and that citizens of Melanesian Spearhead Group countries such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, PNG and New Caledonia would be granted visas on arrival.
“These arrangements will help to re-unite families, facilitate business engagements and build tourism opportunities throughout Melanesia,” he said.
“This will also enable Papua New Guineans to travel to MSG countries freely, in the spirit of reciprocity or the reciprocal arrangement between the sister Melanesian countries.”
Rosso pointed out that in the months ahead, ICA would look at expanding the visa on arrival to other eligible countries and territories where PNG had bi-lateral or multi-lateral arrangements with.
“By restoring visas on arrival for MSG countries, we are a step closer to restoring international travel arrangements prior to Covid-19.
“So we’ll start with MSG and continue with other countries that will also come into reciprocal partnerships with us,” the Lae MP said.
“On this note, let me make it clear; in the future the government may only consider visa on arrival for other nationalities only on the basis of reciprocity.”
The re-launch of visas on arrival for MSG follows the re-activation of the online visa auto grant system in August and highlights the Government’s commitment through ICA to improve turnaround time for clients.