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Papua New Guinea: visas, tax & cost of living

Papua New Guinea: honest, sourced estimates on entry rules, the digital nomad visa, tax residency and the cost of living, tailored to your passport.

Papua New Guinea: visas, tax & cost of living
Your passport

United KingdomPapua New Guinea

Your move to Papua New Guinea on a United Kingdom passport

  • VisitMediumVisa required in advance
  • NomadHardDifficult, indirect route
  • RelocateHardLimited residence routes

Visiting

You need a travel authorization (an ETA) before you board. Apply online, pay the small fee, and keep the approval with your passport.

Passport validity:Passport valid for at least 6 months, and entry permits are issued only for the passport validity period.

At the border:Most visitors must apply online for an e visa at the ICA portal before travel and show proof of a genuine visit and onward departure.

Working remotely

No dedicated nomad visa; the usual route is a standard residence permit.

Tax and residency

You are generally treated as tax resident if you are present in Papua New Guinea for more than 183 days in a 12 month period or your domicile is in the country, and residents are taxed on worldwide income while non residents are taxed only on PNG sourced income (estimate, confirm with the IRC).(estimate)

The UK decides residence with its Statutory Residence Test (days in the UK plus your ties). As a non-resident you are usually taxed only on UK income; where one exists, a double-tax treaty with the destination decides who taxes what.

Practical

Currency:PGK. Cost of living:mid.

Healthcare:Public care is very limited, so foreigners rely on private clinics and should carry international insurance covering medical evacuation to Australia or Singapore.

Driving:An International Driving Permit alongside your national licence is recommended and often required by rental firms.

Sources: Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) · ICA Visitor Visa · Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) · PwC Tax Summaries, PNG individual residence · GOV.UK: tax on foreign income · HMRC: double-taxation treaties

Estimates, not advice. Confirm with the official sources before you act.

Frequently asked questions

Papua New Guinea: is there a digital nomad visa?
No dedicated digital nomad visa; most people use a standard residence permit instead.
Papua New Guinea: when do you become a tax resident?
You are generally treated as tax resident if you are present in Papua New Guinea for more than 183 days in a 12 month period or your domicile is in the country, and residents are taxed on worldwide income while non residents are taxed only on PNG sourced income (estimate, confirm with the IRC).
Papua New Guinea: what is the cost of living?
The cost of living is moderate and the local currency is the PGK. Treat any figures as estimates.
Papua New Guinea: do you need health insurance?
Public care is very limited, so foreigners rely on private clinics and should carry international insurance covering medical evacuation to Australia or Singapore.
Papua New Guinea: can you drive on a foreign licence?
An International Driving Permit alongside your national licence is recommended and often required by rental firms.

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Last verified: 2026-06-26

Voymo gives general information to help you organise your move. It is not legal, tax, or immigration advice, always confirm with an official source or a qualified professional before you act.

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