Over 149 applied for citizenship

IMMIGRATION and Border Security Minister Bryan Kramer says the Citizenship Advisory Committee recently processed 43 citizenship applications after last meeting about two-and-half-years ago.
“The recommencing of the CAC hearings is encouraging after the last one was held in September 2019,” he said.
He said due to legislative and political factors the committee was unable to meet until it was resolved and the permanent members of the committee were sworn in by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae on April. He said the committee was responsible for deliberating on citizenship matters through files compiled by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA), and provide recommendations to the minister responsible to make decisions on.
“The total number of applications received up to May 6, by ICA were 149 which have been assessed and met all mandatory requirements and received positive clearance from relevant security and regulatory agencies,” Kramer said.
“Of the 43 applications deliberated by the committee on April 29 and 30, five applicants applied for citizenship through the naturalisation pathway while 38 applied for dual citizenship under other pathways.
“There are eight different citizenship pathways.”
Kramer said most applicants had lived in the country for more than eight years.
“106 applications are to be presented to the committee for deliberation in the next meetings and 137 are still pending clearance from security and regulatory agencies.”
Kramer said the ICA was stepping up the processing of the backlog of permanent residency and citizenship applications.