Madang

Passport validity requirements

To enter Papua New Guinea, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or proof of right of abode. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Papua New Guinea. Visas can be obtained in advance online or at a Papua New Guinea (PNG) Embassy or High Commission. Tourist/visitor visas can also be obtained on arrival at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby.

Applying for a visa

Apply for a Papua New Guinea visa online before you travel using the ‘Online Services’ tab on the Immigration & Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA) website.

PNG has recently reintroduced visa on arrival for certain categories of traveller. Details are available on the ICSA website. You may need to show evidence of an onward flight ticket.

Vaccine requirements

You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Papua New Guinea guide.

Digital Arrival Card

From 1 October 2025 all travellers to Papua New Guinea must complete and submit online a Digital Arrival Card. This is free of charge and should be submitted within 72 hours of arrival.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Papua New Guinea, see:

• prohibited goods
• duty-free allowances for travellers

You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

It is illegal to enter Papua New Guinea with many fruits, vegetables and animal products due to local quarantine controls.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Papua New Guinea, see:

• prohibited goods
• duty-free allowances for travellers

You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

It is illegal to enter Papua New Guinea with many fruits, vegetables and animal products due to local quarantine controls.

Emergency services in Papua New Guinea

Ambulance: 111 

Fire: 110

Police: 112

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers and funeral directors in Papua New Guinea
• dealing with a death in Papua New Guinea
• being arrested or imprisoned in Papua New Guinea
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Papua New Guinea on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces due to the high risk of tribal fighting
• Enga Province in the Highlands, except Wabag District

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Interruptions to water and electricity supply

Papua New Guinea can experience interruptions in the supply of water and electricity to urban centres. The water supplier to Port Moresby, Water PNG, completed some planned maintenance works in mid-August.

Consider personal preparedness and regularly check media updates from Water PNG for the latest information.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator  
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Enga Province

Following wide-spread intercommunal violence in Wapenamanda area of Enga Province, the provincial government has declared all districts except Wabag District, which remains relatively safe, as ‘fighting zones’. The authorities report deaths, destruction of property, and the closure of public services. Checkpoints, random searches, and curfews have been introduced.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

It is a serious offence to use, possess or traffic illegal drugs, including marijuana. If convicted, you can get a long prison sentence.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal. People who are convicted face up to 14 years imprisonment. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.