Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has sought further dialogue with the United States over its new visa bond policy.
In a statement, Marape acknowledged that the US had copped them with a “substantial” US$20,000 visa bond for ordinary business and tourism travel to the US, saying Papua New Guineans were concerned.
“I want our people to understand that this is not a breakdown in relations between Papua New Guinea and the United States,” Marape said.
“The United States is an important and longstanding friend and partner of Papua New Guinea, and we respect its sovereign right to determine its Immigration and Visa Policies.”
It is a refundable sum of money for when the traveler leaves the country, through if they stay a day longer than their agreed travel time, or if they claim asylum, they lose it.
Prices range from $10,000 to $25,000 across a list of 60 nations, including Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga and PNG. Tonga has been subject to a far more comprehensive travel ban, with very few exemptions, since January.
For PNG, Marape said his people are beginning to travel to the US in greater numbers, “for education, business, employment, sport, tourism and professional development.”
He said he wanted to demonstrate that most Papua New Guineans were “genuine travellers.”
“Our intention is to work with, not against, the United States on this matter,” Marape said.
“If there are concerns about Papua New Guineans Overstaying Visas, then let us establish the facts and address them. We will encourage better compliance from our Citizens … who respect the laws of their host countries.
