FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
Q: HOW CAN I RENEW MY VISA?
A: A visa cannot be renewed regardless of its type. You have to apply for a new visa.
Q: HOW DO I APPLY FOR A 6 MONTHS TOURIST VISA?
A: Papua New Guinean, Solomon Islands and Vanuatuans are usually issued with a multiple entry B1/B2 Business/Tourist visa valid for 12 months or 5 years (click here for issuance fee information). The validity of the visa has no bearing on the length of stay. Each time you enter, the Immigration Officials at the port of entry will determine how long you may stay. If the amount of time given to you is not sufficient you may contact the nearest the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (U.S.C.I.S.) office, or under its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). You should apply for your extension well in advance. Approval or denial of the extension is at the discretion of the U.S.C.I.S.
Q: CAN I APPLY FOR A VISA IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA IF I AM NOT AN PAPUA NEW GUINEA PASSPORT HOLDER OR A PERMANENT RESIDENT HERE?
A: An applicant has the right to apply at any Consulate abroad. However, it may be harder to qualify for the visa when applying outside your own country of permanent residence. If you choose to apply in Papua New Guinea it is on the understanding that you may be refused, and the application fee is non-refundable if the visa is not issued. You are expected to demonstrate you have strong ties to your country that you will return to after your visit to the U.S., therefore applicants are advised to always apply in their own country of permanent residence if possible. The decision on the issuance of the visa will be made at the time of application.
Q: I WANT TO APPLY FOR A C1/D (OR B1/B2) TO WORK AS CREW ON A PLANE/SHIP/YACHT, WHAT DO I NEED?
A: A letter of employment on the company letterhead (may be a faxed copy) submitted with all other requirements outlined on the non-immigrant visa general information sheet. The Consular Officer will determine if you will be issued with a C1/D crew visa or a B1/B2 business/tourist visa.
Q: I WAS ARRESTED/CONVICTED YEARS AGO, DO I NEED A VISA?
A: Anyone convicted of or punished for a crime involving moral turpitude (regardless of how long ago or if the conviction was not recorded) is ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a visa. If there is any doubt regarding the nature of the offense, it is advisable to apply for a visa. The applicant submits details as to the court date, the type of offense, and the outcome, usually with a police certificate or court documents. If the police certificate says "no recordable convictions" but the person has committed a crime he or she must seek out court documents. He or she must also include the port of entry and exit to/from the US and the expected dates of travel. This information is in addition to the usual requirements for the type of visa being applied for.
Q: I HAD A DRINK DRIVING CHARGE, DO I NEED A VISA?
A: A single drink driving charge which didn't involve a jail sentence does not preclude you from using the Visa Waiver Program. When completing the Visa Waiver Program questionnaire given to you on the aircraft you must answer yes to the question have you been arrested or charged. Consequently, you need to carry with you documentation (e.g. court records) to show you were not jailed. If you do not have this documentation you may prefer to apply for a visa.
Q: IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR APPLYING FOR A WORK VISA?
A: No.
Q: MY DS-2019/I-20/I-20M FORM HASN'T ARRIVED FROM THE US. CAN I APPLY FOR THE VISA WITH A PHOTOCOPY OF THE APPROVAL NOTICE TO WORK/STUDY.
A: No, you must have the original documents to apply, and you must bring pages of the form to the Consulate.
Q: CAN I PRESENT A COPY OF MY I-797 APPROVAL NOTICE FOR MY WORK VISA?
A: No, either you must have the original I-797 or the Consulate must have received direct notification of the approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) or other U.S. Government source. The consulate CANNOT accept a faxed copy from the applicant, the employer, or the lawyers.
Q: MY COMPANY IS SENDING ME TO THE US OFFICE FOR TRAINING, DO I NEED A VISA?
A: The Visa Waiver Program and the B1/B2 visa allows you to attend short, in-house training courses of less than 90 days or 6 months, respectively. You should carry a letter with you on the Company Letterhead stating the purpose of the trip, the approximate length of stay, and that your salary will continue to be paid from the Papua New Guinean Company. If your company has affiliated offices in the United States, you must be able to show that you will not be providing services during your training period.
Q: DO I NEED INDIVIDUAL BANK CHECKS/POSTAL MONEY ORDERS FOR THE ISSUANCE FEE FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBERS WORK/STUDY VISA?
A: No, you may include the one bank check or one postal money order for the total amount of the issuance fee. (The Post Office will however issue individual receipts for each application fee paid.) If any one visa application is delayed, however, you may need to make alternate arrangements.
Q: HOW LONG CAN I STAY AFTER MY STUDY/EXCHANGE VISA EXPIRES?
A: On a study (F, M) or exchange (J) visa you may enter the U.S. no more than 4 weeks before the official start of the program. On a J or M visa, you may stay 30 days after the official end of your program. On an F visa, you may stay for 60 days after the conclusion of your studies.
Q: WHAT IF I WANT TO STAY LONGER THAN THE 30 DAYS AFTERWARDS ON MY J VISA AS A TOURIST?
A: You should apply for a tourist visa at the same time you apply for your J visa. If you are applying for both you will need two DS-156 application forms and two photos. You must pay two application fees at Papua New Guinea Post and attach a receipt to each DS156. You must include all the other documentation required for the J visa. If you wish to remain longer than the 30 days after the end of your program you must contact the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (U.S.C.I.S.) office in the state you are in and ask for a change in status from your J visa to your tourist visa. You should ask for this change in status about 2 months before the official end of your program. Alternatively you could leave the U.S. within the 30 days after the end of your program and re-enter on your tourist visa.
Q: HOW LONG CAN I STAY AFTER THE END OF MY WORKING VISA?
A: On the E, H, L, O, P, Q, and R you may enter the U.S. 10 days before the official start of your work and you may stay 10 days after the official end of your work.
Q: CAN I GET A VISA TO DO CASUAL WORK?
A: No, there is no visa that covers casual work. You must have an employer sponsor you as described in the working visa information sheet.
Q: CAN MY RELATIVE IN THE U.S. SPONSOR ME?
A: Only your employer can sponsor you for work.
Q: HOW DO I APPLY FOR A SPORTSMAN VISA?
A: The P visa covers Athletes. Refer to the information sheet Working in the U.S. Alternatively, the B2 tourist or Visa Waiver Program allows participation in contests as amateurs or for prize money only. If you are sponsored by a company in the U.S., and they are paying you sponsorship fees, you must have a P visa.
Q: I HAVE AN INDEFINITE VISA, IS IT STILL VALID?
A: Indefinite validity visas are no longer issued. They are valid for only 10 years from the issue date. If the visa was issued longer than 10 years ago you need to apply for a new visa unless you are eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program.
Q: DO Papua New GuineaNS NEED 6 MONTHS VALIDITY ON THEIR PASSPORT?
A: No
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Required Documents
Visas for Medical Care
Student Visas
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