Photo: Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko
In another milestone achievement in Australia-Papua New Guinea relations, visa issues that businesses and individuals face will come to an end as both countries agreed to set up a visa office in Port Moresby with a 14-day processing turnaround period.
The Australian visa office in Port Moresby is set to be opened in July this year and will be managed by a competent dual committee from both countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said in a press conference.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs said the new Australian visa office committee will ensure strict management with the visa processing.
"We have set up one of the strongest and most powerful committee ever in the history of this country between Australia and Papua New Guinea, which will include the two Deputy Prime Ministers, the two Foreign Affairs Ministers, the Internal Security Minister of PNG, the immigration minister of Australia, and we will also have the Minister for Pacific Affairs, Pat Conroy, in this committee as well," Minister Tkatchenko said.
The committee will focus on dealing with visas on arrival or going into Australia, and also will address issues arising from within the immigration and foreign affairs departments.
Tkatchenko also expressed his sentiments on a reciprocal arrangement that was earlier revealed by Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso that will see the issuing of short-term visas to Australian businesses over a 12-month period.
"I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister on his commitment and assistance in ensuring that PNG also will be announcing a reciprocal arrangement for multiple entry visas for Australian businesses. This will make it easier for Australians when coming into the country to do business," Mr. Tkatchenko stated.
Previously, the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby had no visa function. Their office in Suva, Fiji managed visa services for clients in Papua New Guinea, which had been one of the biggest issues surrounding processing.
The difficulty and delays many Papua New Guineans face when applying to visit Australia has been a long-standing frustration for the country, as people had to wait for months to get their travel documents processed and approved.
Earlier this year during the 29th Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the return of the facility to Port Moresby. The decision was made to further strengthen Australia-PNG relations in working more collaboratively and ensuring regional cooperation and stability, she said.
