Papua New Guinea seeks US dialogue over new visa bond requirement

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced that his government will seek diplomatic dialogue with the United States regarding a new visa bond requirement. The policy, which affects certain B-1/B-2 temporary business and tourist visa applicants from Papua New Guinea, involves a substantial refundable bond of approximately US$20,000.

Marape stated that while the government respects the sovereign right of the United States to set its own immigration and border-security policies, it seeks clarification on why Papua New Guinea was included in the programme. The US government has linked the requirement to concerns regarding visa overstays and immigration compliance.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the bond requirement should not be viewed as a deterioration in bilateral relations, describing the United States as a “longstanding friend and partner.” He urged Papua New Guineans to strictly comply with the immigration laws of host countries, noting that overstays by a small number of individuals could negatively impact thousands of genuine travelers, including students, professionals, and families.

To address the issue, the Department of Foreign Affairs will pursue discussions with Washington to understand the data driving the decision and to improve the country’s compliance record. The government also acknowledged the financial burden the bond places on ordinary citizens.