More than 60,000 expat workers are employed in Papua New Guinea. As the economy has grown, the number of foreign workers has increased. Scott Roberts of recruitment consultants Cadden Crowe lists some dos and don’ts when bringing expats to PNG.

Cadden Crowe’s Scott Roberts

Like any other independent nation, Papua New Guinea has its work permit and visa regulations for non-national, or expat, workers. If you do not abide by the rules then both the employer and the employee are legally liable.

It is important to know the requirements and your role as an employee and employer.

All expats looking to work in PNG, whether it be for the short term or the long term, require a visa. The options range from a business visa, which covers short trips for meetings, through to a three-year residential work permit.

Myths and traps

There is a myth that it is alright to come into PNG and work on a business visa until told otherwise, or until a regular visa is ‘worked out’. Do not fall into this trap.

If you are coming to work in PNG, or are employing expats, then they must have a valid work permit and visa aligned to a specific employer and specific job.

There are many stories, but the system is not complicated.

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The business visa only allows you to travel to the country to attend meetings, check on progress or carry out functions necessary to the operation of your business. It is for those people whose role is based outside PNG.

Applying for a visa

The system to obtain the relevant visa is straightforward but it requires you to understand the system and to co-operate with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations and PNG’s Immigration and Citizenship Service.

Follow all instructions—doing so will save time in the long term

Using a registered employment agent in PNG can be a shrewd investment—they understand the system, know the departments, will check all the necessary paperwork before anything is lodged and will follow up until processing is complete.

There are many stories, but the system is not complicated. It runs relatively smoothly and many of the delays and ‘war stories’ often relate to poor planning, not allowing enough time or incomplete documentation.

Here are some simple dos and don’ts that are worth considering.

Dos

1. Follow all instructions—doing so will save time in the long term.
2. Ensure all documentation is completed correctly and supporting documents are authenticated.
3. Allow enough time. Timeframes are given for each type of visa and these are adhered to by the departments. Plan your business around these timeframes and not vice verca.
4. Cooperate with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service and the relevant consulate.
5. Know the requirements of the home country from which you are employing because some, such as the Philippines, will require additional focus in PNG.
6. Ensure that the role for which you wish to obtain a visa is on the list of roles for expats.

Don’ts

1. Don’t take short cuts. The systems, timeframes and instructions are there for a reason. Taking short cuts will only delay the application.
2. Do not assume they will let you in. PNG is an independent nation. Like Australia: no visa, no entry!
3. Do not assume a business visa will be approved. If you are residing and working in PNG, it will not.
4. Do not break the law—get the required work permit and visa. If your employer says it is OK, then request written confirmation from the Department of Immigration.
5. Do not expect the departments to fit into your timetable. They are very open with the timeframes and they stick to them. They are not there to work around your company’s timetable. It is up to you to plan around these timetables. (At the same time, some industries or companies will get fast-tracked).
6. Do not assume that because someone is employed by one company they will automatically qualify to work in another. All work permits and visas are fixed to a specific job and specific employer. If either your job title, or employer, changes then you will need a new work permit and visa to match.

Scott Roberts is Managing Principal of Cadden Crowe

Where expats come from

According to Carmen Voigt-Graf at the National Research Institute, there are currently 63,102 expat workers in PNG. The breakdown of nationalities is:

• Australia: 36 per cent
• Philippines: 24 per cent
• Other developed nations: 13 per cent
• Other developing nations: 11 per cent
• Indian sub-continent: 6 per cent
• China: 6 per cent
• Malaysia: 4 per cent