![]() AUSTRALIA’S foreign minister Senator Penny Wong says Australia will approve 75 per cent of visa applications from Papua New Guinea within two weeks. Wong said Papua New Guineans applying for an Australian visa would have their application processed in Port Moresby, instead of in Fiji as is currently being done. “We had a very frank and open discussion (at the Australia-PNG ministerial forum in Canberra last week) on visa-related issues,” she said. “Ministers recognised that the quality of timely visas was underpinning our bilateral ties. “So we have agreed to open in-country visa processing to Papua New Guinea.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Labour and Immigration John Rosso said PNG would be issuing multiple-entry visas to Australian business people. “This will make (it) easier for Australians going to PNG to do business,” he said. “These will be short-term visas over a 12-month period instead of being issued every month when you need it.” Prime Minister James Marape welcomed the new visa arrangement with Australia, saying it would “ensure an efficient and speedy Australian visa-issuing arrangements to help labour, business and broader people-to-people connections”. “This means that at least 75 per cent of completed visitor visa applications will be processed within 14 days, with in-country visa processing in PNG,” he said. “This expands opportunities for Papua New Guineans to enter the Australian labour market, including increasing training and skilled labour under the new Australian Pacific Engagement Visa.” The forum was co-chaired by Wong and Tkatchenko. Statement /TheNational/PNGfacts Also read
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