25/04/2024
US Visitor Visa Extension
Effective April 17, 2024, the U.S. Embassy has announced a significant revision in visa regulations for Papua New Guinean citizens travelling to the United States.
Previously, visitor visas (B-1/B-2 visas) for Papua New Guineans allowed only a maximum stay of one month with a single entry. However, under the new guidelines, these visas will now permit a maximum stay of six months with single entry.
This adjustment is a part of the revised visa reciprocity schedule and is set to greatly benefit Papua New Guineans intending to visit the United States. It allows them the flexibility to plan their visits well in advance, facilitating activities such as visiting family, attending conferences, and engaging in tourism.
Furthermore, the update will streamline the visa application process, enabling applicants to schedule their visa interviews more than a month ahead of their intended travel dates.
This change is particularly significant for the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, as it will alleviate scheduling constraints and enhance efficiency in visa processing.
It's important to note that while 12-month, multiple-entry visas remain an option for qualified short-term business (B-1) visa applicants for an additional fee, they are no longer available for tourist (B-2) visa applicants as of April 17, 2024.
For more detailed information regarding these revisions and the revised visa reciprocity schedule, individuals are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov.
The Department of State emphasizes that through these visa services, it aims to promote travel and tourism, facilitate regulated labour flow, support business travel and investment, safeguard national security, and contribute to key U.S. economic sectors while also sustaining numerous jobs across the nation.
