Papua New Guinea Arrival Card — PNGDAC in English
Complete your Papua New Guinea digital arrival card (PNGDAC) in English with our online form. Prepare your arrival in Port Moresby without stress or queues at the kiosks.
Welcome to Papua New Guinea
The PNGDAC is the mandatory digital arrival card introduced by Papua New Guinea's Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA). In force since 1 October 2025, it replaces the paper card handed out on board and is completed online within 72 hours before arrival. For the first time, immigration, customs and the quarantine authority (NAQIA) share a single system. The ICSA has reminded airlines and check-in staff that the PNGDAC is a pre-travel requirement.
Online or at the kiosk?
Why you should no longer wait until arrival to complete the PNGDAC
Port Moresby airport offers kiosks to complete the arrival card on the spot. But they remain a fallback: the PNGDAC is designed to be completed before travel.
A pre-travel requirement: the ICSA has reminded airlines, ground handlers and check-in staff that the PNGDAC must be completed before leaving for Papua New Guinea. It is better not to discover the formality at the counter.
Kiosks remain a fallback: the self-service kiosks at Jacksons Airport are intended for travellers who could not complete the declaration in advance. They are shared among all passengers on a flight, and the wait adds to the immigration queue.
The right approach: complete your declaration within 72 hours before arrival, before leaving for the airport. If your flight includes a long layover, make sure you are within the window at the time of submission.
Key takeaway
Complete the PNGDAC within 72 hours before your arrival, before heading to the airport. The kiosks in Port Moresby are only a fallback.
When to complete the PNGDAC?
The form opens 72 hours before your arrival. The ICSA presents it as a pre-travel requirement: it is best to have submitted it before heading to the airport.
Earliest
72 hours before arrival time
Optimal
Between 48 and 24 hours before arrival
Latest
Before check-in for your flight to Port Moresby
Common PNGDAC mistakes
The system is new, and travellers often fall into the same traps.
Relying on the kiosks on arrival
The kiosks at Jacksons Airport can help in a pinch on arrival, but the ICSA has reminded airlines that the declaration must be made before travel. Do not leave without completing it.
Completing the form too early
The window only opens 72 hours before arrival. On long journeys via Singapore, Manila or Brisbane, count from your arrival time in Port Moresby.
Confusing the PNGDAC with a visa
The arrival card is not a visa. If your nationality requires one, the e-Visa or visa must be obtained separately.
Underestimating the biosecurity rules
Bringing in fruit, vegetables and animal products is strictly prohibited. A false declaration can lead to confiscation of the items and prosecution.
Forgetting a declaration for each child
A parent's declaration does not cover their children. Each minor must have their own arrival card with their own passport number.
Required Information Table
| INFORMATION TO PROVIDE | PERSONAL DATA |
|---|---|
| PERSONAL DETAILS | Surname, First name, Date of birth, Sex, Nationality, Passport number, Passport expiry date |
| TRIP | Arrival date, Country of departure, Purpose of stay, Intended length of stay |
| FLIGHT | Airline, Flight number, Arrival airport (Port Moresby — POM) |
| ACCOMMODATION | Name and address of accommodation, City, Province, Contact phone number |
| CUSTOMS AND HEALTH | Goods to declare, Cash over PGK 20,000, Food, plant or animal products, Health questions |
Customs and biosecurity
What the arrival card asks you to declare
The PNGDAC is not just about identity: immigration, customs and the quarantine authority (NAQIA) now use the same information.
Strict biosecurity: Papua New Guinea protects an exceptional biodiversity. Bringing in fruit, vegetables and animal products is strictly prohibited.
Cash and valuables above 20,000 kina (PGK) must be declared to a customs officer, on arrival as well as on departure. A false declaration can lead to confiscation of the goods and prosecution.
The health questions cover your condition at the time of travel and your recent movements. Answer accurately: an inconsistent answer may lead to additional screening on arrival.
Arriving in Papua New Guinea with the PNGDAC
At Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby, the process is straightforward if your declaration has already been submitted.
- 1
Before departure
Submit your PNGDAC online and keep the confirmation on your phone: the ICSA has reminded airlines that it is a pre-travel requirement.
- 2
Immigration
Present your passport and the PNGDAC submission confirmation to the immigration officer for checking, along with your visa or e-Visa if required.
- 3
Kiosks for late filers
Travellers who have not completed the declaration in advance can use the airport's self-service kiosks, at the cost of an additional wait.
- 4
Baggage, customs and biosecurity
Collect your luggage, then go through customs and quarantine (NAQIA) checks, which now have access to the information in your declaration.
Who must complete the PNGDAC?
The digital arrival card applies to everyone arriving in Papua New Guinea by air, regardless of their status.
Foreign visitors
Tourists, business travellers or family visitors: the PNGDAC is mandatory whether you hold an e-Visa, a visa on arrival or another entry permit.
Citizens and residents
Papua New Guinean nationals and permanent residents returning home must also complete the digital arrival card.
Children and infants
Each traveller has their own declaration, including babies. A parent or guardian completes it using the child's own passport.
Groups and families
The official portal offers individual or group submission, convenient for families and organised trips.
Papua New Guinea arrival card information
What is the PNGDAC?
The PNG Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) has replaced the paper arrival card since 1 October 2025. It is completed online within 72 hours before your arrival and covers your personal details, passport and trip, along with the declarations for immigration, customs and quarantine. You receive a submission confirmation to present along with your passport on arrival.
Which nationalities are concerned?
All travellers entering Papua New Guinea must complete the PNGDAC: foreign visitors, residents and Papua New Guinean citizens. A separate declaration is required for each traveller, including children and infants.
Which entry points are concerned?
The PNGDAC applies to travellers arriving by air at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby (POM), the country's main international gateway.
Places to visit in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
The Kokoda Track, 96 km through the Owen Stanley Range, is one of the most legendary hikes in the Pacific. Dense jungle, remote villages and the memory of the 1942 battles line this 8 to 10-day trek.
The Sepik River winds for over 1,000 km across the north of the country. Its stilt villages, spirit houses (haus tambaran) and wood carvings make it one of the great centres of Oceanic art.
The Highlands, around Mount Hagen and Goroka, host spectacular “sing-sings” every year, where hundreds of clans gather in traditional feather headdresses and body paint.
Rabaul and Kokopo, in East New Britain, offer the sight of the Tavurvur volcano, hot springs, Second World War wrecks and a bay that is ideal for diving.
Milne Bay and Tufi are renowned for their tropical fjords and some of the richest coral reefs in the world: diving, snorkelling and encounters with coastal communities.
Document Timeline
History and evolution of the document.
Before October 2025
Travellers complete a paper arrival card (Incoming Passenger Card) handed out on board.
Before October 2025
Travellers complete a paper arrival card (Incoming Passenger Card) handed out on board.
1 October 2025
Official launch of the PNG Digital Arrival Card by the ICSA, replacing the paper card.
1 October 2025
Official launch of the PNG Digital Arrival Card by the ICSA, replacing the paper card.
2 October 2025
Official launch in Port Moresby: immigration, customs and quarantine (NAQIA) share a single system for the first time.
2 October 2025
Official launch in Port Moresby: immigration, customs and quarantine (NAQIA) share a single system for the first time.
Transition period
The paper card is kept in parallel for a few months before being gradually phased out.
Transition period
The paper card is kept in parallel for a few months before being gradually phased out.
Today
The PNGDAC is mandatory for travellers arriving by air in Port Moresby; kiosks remain available at the airport for latecomers.
Today
The PNGDAC is mandatory for travellers arriving by air in Port Moresby; kiosks remain available at the airport for latecomers.
PNGDAC validity
The digital arrival card is tied to a specific trip and arrival date.
Duration
Valid for the declared arrival only
Entries
One declaration per entry into Papua New Guinea
Extension
Cannot be extended: a new declaration for every trip
Frequently Asked Questions — Papua New Guinea
What is the PNGDAC?
The PNG Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) is Papua New Guinea's mandatory digital arrival card, managed by the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA). Since 1 October 2025, it has replaced the paper card and combines identity, travel and customs and health declarations.
Is the PNGDAC mandatory?
Yes, all travellers arriving in Papua New Guinea must complete it before arrival, whether they are visitors, residents or citizens. The ICSA has reminded airlines that it is a pre-travel requirement.
How do I complete the arrival card online?
You can complete your PNGDAC through ArrivalCards. The form asks for your personal details, passport, flight, accommodation and customs and health declarations. The confirmation is sent to you by email.
When should I complete the PNGDAC?
The declaration can be submitted from 72 hours before your arrival in Papua New Guinea, including the day of arrival. Complete it before heading to the airport.
Does the PNGDAC replace a visa?
No. The digital arrival card is neither a visa nor an entry authorisation. If your nationality requires a visa, you must obtain it separately, for example through the official e-Visa portal.
Can I complete the arrival card at the airport?
Self-service kiosks are available at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby for travellers who have not completed the declaration in advance, but the wait can be long. The PNGDAC is designed to be completed online before travel.
How much does the PNGDAC cost?
The PNGDAC is free on the official portal. On ArrivalCards, the service fee is €29 incl. VAT per arrival card issued for translation, dossier verification and customer support.
Is the form available in my language?
The official Papua New Guinea portal is available in English only. ArrivalCards provides a translated and simplified form in 9 languages, including English.
What documents do I need for the PNGDAC?
You will need your passport, your flight details, the address of your accommodation in Papua New Guinea, your visa or e-Visa if required, and a valid email address.
Is the PNGDAC required for children?
Yes, every traveller — including children and infants — must have their own declaration. Parents or legal guardians complete it on behalf of each minor, using the child's own passport.
A reliable and secure service.
Processing Time
Your arrival card is typically processed within 24 hours. We recommend applying at least 3 days before your travel date.
Requirements
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity, recent passport photo, travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
Fees
The service fee is €29 incl. tax per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees. This covers form translation, application verification, and customer support.
How It Works
Simple, fast, and stress-free.
Fill in the online form
Complete our secure form with your personal information and travel details
Receive your arrival card by email
We process your application and send your electronic arrival card directly to your inbox
Present your card upon arrival
Upon arrival, simply present your electronic card to immigration authorities
Sources
- Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA) — PNGDAC traveller guide
- National Information Center (info.gov.pg) — ICSA launches the PNG Digital Arrival Card
- Papua New Guinea Customs Service — International Airport Arrivals
- France Diplomatie — Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, entrée / séjour
Information checked in September 2026