India, Russia join eVisa system list

IMMIGRATION and Border Security Minister Petrus Thomas has announced the expansion of Papua New Guinea’s electronic visa (eVisa) system to a host of new nationalities ,including India, Russia and South Africa.
Thomas said the expansion of ICA’s eVisa system to a further 20 countries showed the commitment ICA had to use its role as PNG’s border agency to promote prosperity for the country through promoting ease of travel for more visitors and investors.
“Everyone involved in Apec 2018 will remember that PNG made our hosting theme ‘Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future’.
“Since Apec, all agencies were challenged to engage with technology and pursue digital transformation of services.
“In this spirit, I can announce that as of today, all Apec member states including Russia will have access to an online visa to come visit PNG without the need to visit a PNG embassy or high commission.
“I have also approved expansion to a range of Commonwealth member States from all over the world – including India, South Africa and Cyprus.
“Through this expansion, PNG and our tourism industry has just been opened to about three billion perspective visitors from these 20 countries,” Thomas said.
To complement the eVisa expansion, ICA has taken even further steps to utilise technology to service its clients better.
Thomas said: “Last year we launched the new ICA website www.ICA.gov.pg
“This was a bold, fresh look that reflects where ICA’s agenda is leading it.
“In support of today’s eVisa expansion, I am pleased to announce that the ICA website is now available in Mandarin Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia – with further language options being made available soon,” he said.
“This is the first for any government agency to have a website with language options.”
Thomas said ‘PNG’s eVisa was a world standard traveller facilitation system, which allowed visa applicants to lodge visa applications at any time and in any location where they had access to the internet.
In supporting a seamless traveller experience, the eVisa also facilitates ICA’s capacity to increase revenue collection for the Government through the user-pays service model.
“Since it was launched a few months ago, eVisa has processed 5,000 applications – that is 5,000 fewer people waiting to get a visa and 5,000 business people and tourists who have had a seamless, modern application process to visit our country.”