Consular Services Indes

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Consular Section issues visas for PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu residents to visit the United States. A visa constitutes permission to apply for entry to the United States at the port of entry, where the immigration officer will determine admittance and length of stay. All PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu residents need visas in order to apply for entrance to the United States. Visas are issued in accordance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, as amended, enacted by the United States Congress. The Consular Section provides visa services only on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Issued visas will generally be ready for pickup on the following day.

To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary visit to the United States for business or pleasure, applicants must:

Apply for the visa in the consular district where they are resident (the United States Consular Section in Port Moresby).

Be physically present in the consular district where they apply.

Overcome the presumption that they are intending immigrants. To do so, applicants must show compelling ties to their home country that would assure their need to leave the United States and return home.

Provide proof of sufficient financial resources so that they would not become a financial burden to the United States taxpayer.

According to United States law, the applicant assumes all of the burden of proof to qualify for a visa.

General information regarding visas

All applicants between the ages of 14 to 79 years old must apply in person during regular visa hours.

According to United States law all nonimmigrant visa applicants are presumed to be intending immigrants. Applicants must demonstrate to the Consular Officer that they are not intending immigrants. It is the responsibility of all applicants to demonstrate strong, binding ties to their home country that would compel them to leave the United States and return home.

A visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. A visa is permission to apply to the inspectors at the border for admission. The inspectors decide whether applicants may be admitted and for how long they may stay in the United States.

All visa applicants must pay the U.S.$131 (PNG Equivalent) application fee before the interview with the Consular Officer. After the interview, if the visa is issued, there may be a visa issuance fee based upon treaties with other countries and the United States. If the Consular Officer determines that an applicant is not qualified for a visa, the U.S.$131 application fee is not refundable. These are the only fees associated with visas. There are no fees for forms, information or access to the Embassy. [Note: All visa fees are payable in United States dollars or kina and should be paid only to the Cashier in the Consular Section. For denominations of $5 and larger, the Embassy only accepts bills with larger face amount (newer series dollars). Exact change is appreciated. The Consular Section does not accept personal or company checks. They can accept cash in either U.S. dollars or PGK, bank checks or credit cards for the exact amount]

Do not give passports, applications, supporting documents or application fees to anyone except the consular staff inside the Consular Section of the United States Embassy.

CONSULAR SERVICES

GENERAL INFORMATION