THE Papua New Guinea Government says it respects the sovereign right of the United States Government to administer its Immigration and Border-Security Policies.
Prime Minister James Marape made these comments in response to media reports on the high charges of a US Visa Bond being imposed by the US Government on Pacific Island Counties, including PNG.
While this is all playing out at the government level, Marape said his government it will engage constructively with the US Government on concerns raised by Papua New Guineans on high charges for the United States Visa Bond.
“We will, therefore, approach this matter respectfully and diplomatically. Our government will engage the United States Government through the appropriate Diplomatic channels to better understand the concerns that have resulted in Papua New Guinea being included under this arrangement and, importantly, what we as a country can do to address those concerns,” said Marape.
Papua New Guina is amongst 50 countries listed under the US’s Department of State as a country with high overstays rate in the US. On 02nd April 2026, Papua New Guinea was listed as a country that needed Visa Bonds costing up to K80,000.
“For many ordinary Papua New Guineans, a Bond running into tens of thousands of kina is a considerable amount of money. We will respectfully convey this reality to our American partners while acknowledging the concerns that their Policy is designed to address,” said Marape.
Nationals from other Pacific Island Countries that will need a US Visa Bond include Vanuatu, Fiji and Tuvalu. Those three countries were added to the Countries needing a Visa Bond on the 21st of January 2026.
The Prime Minister said the actions by the US Government should not be interpreted as the United States closing its doors to Papua New Guineans, nor should it be allowed to undermine the broader relationship between the two countries.
“If Papua New Guineans are travelling Overseas on Visitor or Business Visas, then we must respect the Laws of the country that welcomes us. A Visa is not permission to remain indefinitely,” said Marape.
Papua New Guinea and the United States established formal Diplomatic Relations at PNG’s Independence in 1975.
The Bilateral Relationship remains important between both nations, and Marape said PNG values the friendship and partnership with the American Government and People.
“I want our people to understand that this is not a breakdown in Relations between Papua New Guinea and the United States. Our response should not be anger or unnecessary criticism. Our response must be to understand why this Policy has been applied to us, correct whatever issues are within our responsibility, and make a strong case for Papua New Guinea to be reconsidered in future Reviews,” said Marape.
