Employers encouraged to file early ahead of holiday closures

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Government offices in Papua New Guinea will be closed for much of December and early January for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. The country’s peak application season is approaching.

What does the change mean? Applicants with time-sensitive applications should file them as soon as possible and anticipate possible delays over the next couple of months.

• Implementation time frame: 
• Visas/permits affected: Work and entry permits, restricted employment visas.
• Who is affected: Anyone applying for work and entry permits, restricted employment visas or needing other immigration services processed by the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations or the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Impact on processing times: Processing will come to a halt for much of December and the possibility of delays should be expected both before government offices close for the holidays and after they reopen.
• Business impact: Employers should factor in the holiday closures and resulting delays when planning business schedules and start dates.
• Next steps:Time-sensitive applications should be filed as soon as possible and, in the case of work permits, absolutely no later than 30 November.

Background: Peak application season in Papua New Guinea usually starts in October, as the country prepares for offices to be closed in December and January. This year, the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations (DLIR) and the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority will be closed beginning the third week of December for at least two weeks and are expected to reopen on 4 or 5 January. Work permit and work permit renewal applications must be submitted to DLIR no later than 30 November in order to be processed before the New Year. Visa lodgements will be tended to until 22 or 23 December.

BAL Analysis: Entry visa and work permit applicants are advised to prepare time-sensitive applications as soon as possible. The last date for filing a work permit application to be processed before the New Year is 30 November, though it is a good idea to submit applications for both visas and work permits well in advance of that date if possible.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Papua New Guinea. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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