Papua New Guinea
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Hela and Southern Highlands provinces because of the high risk of tribal fighting.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Papua New Guinea’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.
There is a high risk of tribal fighting in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. If you’re planning to travel there, you should take greater care than usual, stay away from large crowds and gatherings, and consider enhanced security precautions. A curfew has been imposed in Enga province due to an escalation in violence. See Tribal Fighting.
There is a high level of serious and violent crime. Law and order is poor or very poor in many parts of the country. Carjacking is an ever present threat, particularly in Port Moresby and Lae. See Crime
Papua New Guinea is prone to seasonal natural disasters including tropical cyclones and flash flooding. Monsoon season in Papua New Guinea runs from November to May. Monitor the latest weather reports. See Natural disasters
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Papua New Guinea, attacks cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
If you need consular support, contact the British High Commission in Port Moresby.
Consular support is limited outside of Port Moresby.
Update history
2025-04-04 23:32
Updated information following an earthquake in the region (‘Warnings and insurance’ & ‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-02-22 14:03
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-01-12 10:59
Information about a state of emergency in Port Moresby (‘Summary’ page).
2024-01-10 10:45
Information about civil disorder in Port Moresby (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-24 16:38
Information about volcanic activity (‘Natural disasters’ page) and curfew Tribal violence (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2023-08-14 15:42
Information about volcanic activity (‘Natural disasters’ page) and curfew in Enga province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-22 09:17
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-09 09:12
Updated information on Crime (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-04-24 16:05
Updated information on entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-12 09:49
Updated information on Entry rules in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-15 09:40
Updated information on earthquakes (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2022-09-05 09:41
Updated information on entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) (‘Entry Requirements’ page). Updated information on areas experiencing civil unrest (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-08-10 13:10
Updated information on entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-07-21 09:31
Updated information on risk of tribal fighting and national elections taking place in July 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-29 16:39
Updated information on mask wearing and authorised COVID-19 test centres (‘Coronavirus’ page). Updated information on changes to entry rules and visas (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-21 11:09
Updated information on changes to entry rules in response to COVID-19 (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-21 15:48
Updated information on changes to entry rules in response to COVID-19 (‘Entry requirements’ page) and recent low level volcanic activity (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2022-02-22 15:51
Updated information on changes to entry rules in response to COVID-19 (‘Entry requirements’ page)