Your international business will likely include citizens from your country of expansion, but you may send current employees abroad as well. When you have nonnational employees, you need the proper documentation for them to live and work overseas.
Types of Work Visas in Papua New Guinea
The country offers a few types of business and work visas. As an international employer, you’ll likely be concerned with three types, which include:
- Employment visas: This documentation is for any nonnational looking to work in the country. The length of this visa and individual requirements will vary base on the nature of employment.
- Restricted employment visas: This visa type is for nonnationals with specialized or technical skills not available in the country. This visa is only allowed for short-term positions. Visa holders must only stay for 30 days or less at a time, and they can enter the country four times over a 12-month period.
- Business visas: If you plan to travel to Papua New Guinea to conduct business negotiations, attend meetings, or explore investment opportunities as a noncitizen, you’ll need this visa.
Requirements to Obtain Papua New Guinea Work Visas
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to guide your international employees through the work visa process. There a few essential items applicants will need to include with their application, and you should confirm they have them. Items include:
- A valid passport.
- A letter of employment.
- A doctor’s certificate.
- A police statement of character from the country of origin.
- A work permit letter of approval.
As the employer, you’ll need to provide a letter of employment for your applicant. The doctor’s certificate should prove that the applicant is in good health, and the applicant should also have a copy of their passport photo to attach to the form.
Work permits are separate documents from a work visa. If an employee works with a visa but not a work permit, the government will consider their employment unlawful.
Application Process
Before an applicant starts the process of getting a work visa, they should obtain a work permit from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Employees must apply before they enter the country. Requirements include items like:
- A signed employment contract.
- A curriculum vitae.
- A copy of the job description.
- A copy of the certificate of incorporation for the hiring company.
Much like the visa process, the work permit process will require assistance from the employer.
Once the applicant receives their work permit, they can submit the appropriate work visa application with attachments to the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA). They should submit all materials to their nearest consulate. Once they have approval, the visa holder can enter the country and begin working as a legal employee.
Other Important Considerations
When an employee’s work visa is about to expire, they can file for an extension to continue working in the country. They may be denied this extension depending on the nature of their work.
If a work visa holder intends on staying in Papua New Guinea for a long-term period, they can apply for permanent residence. This documentation only applies to specific groups of people, including specialized workers and spouses of citizens. If this option is available to an applicant, they may want to consider permanent residence for potential benefits.
Partner With G-P
As you navigate expansion to Papua New Guinea, you’ll want an experienced global PEO on your side. With our help, you can simplify your global expansion and focus on growth right away. Reach out to G-P today to learn more.