Revised visitor visa requirements for PNG travellers to United States

THE revised visitor visas for Papua New Guineans travelling to the United States (US) complements a recently-signed Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two countries, a cabinet minister says.
“In the face of rising geopolitical tensions, this is a token and another step for our relations with the US. This revised visa and its extended terms are a giant leap for our people-to-people level basis with the US in terms of regular
exchanges, dialogue and integration in business, social and the wider scope of inter-relations,” Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said in a statement.
The US government announced last week that Papua New Guineans travelling to the US on a visitor’s visa (B1 and B2) can now stay up to six months on single entry since April 17.
It was previously valid for a maximum of one month.
The US embassy, in a statement, said the change would bring immediate, tangible benefits to Papua New Guineans visiting family members, attending conferences, engaging in tourism, with terms enabling PNG citizens to apply for their visas several months in advance of their travel.
“This change will also enable US embassy Port Moresby’s consular section to make visa interview appointment times available for applicants to schedule more than a month in advance,” the US embassy said.
Visitor visas valid for 12 months’ multiple entries will remain.