Some researchers may wish to be affiliated with other national government departments or non-government organizations with a direct interest in the proposed research. However, this normally requires some prior arrangement with the agency concerned.
It should be noted that proposals for medical research are vetted by the PNG Medical Research Advisory Council, rather than the National Research Institute, and the visa approval process is then handled by the Institute of Medical Research , P.O. Box 60 , GOROKA, EHP, Papua New Guinea .
Also, film-making proposals are vetted by the National Film Institute. The visa approval process is handled by the National Film Institute, P.O. Box 795 , Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province , Papua New Guinea.
(Tel: (675) 732 2897; Fax: (675) 732 2938; email: visas.nfi@global.net.pg )
Affiliating institutions normally require, as minimum conditions of affiliation, that the researcher(s) should introduce themselves on arrival in PNG, to the National Research Institute, and should present a written report and/or seminar at the institute before their departure.
Affiliating institutions have no official obligation to assist researchers with accommodation, transportation, telephone calls, mailing costs, or other services.
Provincial Approval
As well as institutional affiliation, researchers intending to conduct field work outside the National Capital District must also obtain the approval of the relevant provincial governments. The National Research Institute will negotiate this approval, and will forward a copy of the proposal, along with a request for provincial approval, to the officer responsible for research in the relevant provincial administration. Researchers should bear in mind that provincial authorities may take some time to respond to these requests, and should normally allow at least two months for this process to be completed. It may be necessary to ask NRI's Research Visa Liaison Section to make follow-up enquiries on a regular basis, as provincial approval is essential before research visas will be approved and a project can commence.
Researchers who plan long periods of field work in Papua New Guinea may take the opportunity of first visiting the country on a reconnoitre visit, in order to facilitate the institutional affiliation process with the National Research Institute. Those who do not have this opportunity are advised to communicate directly with the National Research Institute and to refrain from communicating with affiliating institutions or provincial governments in order to reduce the risk of confusion.
It should be noted that many provinces have definite research policies and guidelines, and some are inclined to withhold approval of a foreign research application which is perceived as being inconsistent with these policies. Some provinces also charge fees, over and above visa charges, and NRI's research facilitation and management fees.
Provincial governments also normally require, as a condition of their approval, that the researcher(s) should introduce themselves on arrival in the province, and should present a written report and/or seminar to relevant provincial agencies before their departure.
Technical Approval
Some categories of research projects may require technical approval from established academic committees before recommendation for visa issuance is conveyed by NRI to the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service, and then subsequently to the relevant High Commission, Embassy, Consulate, or Australian Diplomatic Mission.
The Marine Scientific Research (MSR) Committee has the technical role of reviewing and assessing marine scientific projects such as marine geological expeditions, as well as living and bio-technical marine resource research programs and cruises. This process is to ensure conformity with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which is in force in Papua New Guinea , and the Conditions and Guidelines for conducting Marine Scientific Research in Papua New Guinean waters.
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is responsible for the technical review and assessment of biological projects, through the PNG Institute of Biodiversity (PINBIO) network, for commercial projects, and the Species Working Management Group for general academic biological research. This process is to ensure conformity with the Fauna (Protection and Control) Act, the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora. DEC is responsible for the control and management of this legislation and provides the appropriate permits, as required. A duplicate set of voucher specimens must be deposited at the University of Papua New Guinea or the Natural History section of the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery .
The PNG Forest Research Institute is also responsible for the approval of flora specimens for export. Duplicate collections are required to be deposited at the PNG Forest Research Institute/National Herbarium.
Journalist Visa Approvals require sanctioning by the Prime Minister's Media Unit, together with the general logistical requirements for the issuance of research visas. Such visas are valid only for 60 days and require the holder to possess a return or ongoing ticket.
NRI will advise researchers when these technical reviews are required, and will coordinate any dialogue from the MSR Committee, PINBIO, and DEC in the administrative process with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Special Exemption: Researcher/Academic Visa Fees
The Papua New Guinean High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate which issues a multiple entry, Special Exemption: Researcher/Academic visa will levy a visa charge for doing so. The amount of this fee varies from time to time, and even between High Commissions, Embassies, and Consulates. The prescribed fee is K100 (approximately equivalent to US$41 or AUD$39).
Project Research Facilitation and Management Fees
Researchers are required to pay a separate Project Research Facilitation and Management Fee to the National Research Institute for processing and managing the project and visa approvals:
• US$120 (or equivalent) for a researcher who spends two months or less in the country;
• US$180 (or equivalent) for a researcher who spends more than two months in the country; or
• US$500 (or equivalent) for a research team of four or more who carry out any period of research.
Extension of Researcher/Academic Visas
The extension of current Special Exemption: Researcher/Academic Visas can be effected either in country or out-of-country, where only 60 days per arrival has been granted, or where a research project is ongoing. Each application should be accompanied by an application to Extend Entry Permit Form, a passport (in-country) or a copy of a passport ID page and current visa (out-of-country), and a brief statement concerning the research that is to be carried out during the requested extension period.
For in-country research visa extension, a Migration Service Fee (MSF) of K100 is payable to the Department of Finance. For out-of-country research visa extensions, an MSF of K150 is payable to the Department of Finance (if paid in-country), and covers the visa extension fee and transmission costs to the nominated High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate for collection.
Where such payments are made at the collection post, the prescribed fee is the equivalent of K150 which may vary between collection posts.
All previous fees due and payable to the National Research Institute must be paid before an extension request will be processed.
A management fee of US$20 (or equivalent) is due and payable to the National Research Institute for facilitating each research visa extension.
New Research Projects or Programs
Where a researcher or a research team embarks on a new research project or program, a new Project Research Facilitation and Management Fee is due and payable to the National Research Institute under the same scale of fees for previous research projects.
Payment of Fees
Fees payable to the National Research Institute must be paid prior to the commencement of research in Papua New Guinea. If it is not possible to pay the appropriate amount in PNG kina, payment of the equivalent amount in US dollars or Australian dollars is acceptable. Payment of such fees, on arrival will avoid costly bank charges for all parties. The Institute will not authorize an extension of any research visa beyond the initial two-month period until these fees have been paid .
Researchers who make multiple visits to Papua New Guinea in connection with a specific research project will not be required to pay more than one Project Research Facilitation and Management Fee to the National Research Institute for that project. However, where a researcher embarks on a new or separate research project, or on a project with a research team, and wishes to enter the country on a different research assignment, they will be required to pay a new Project Research Facilitation and Management Fee, as per the given schedule. The Institute reserves the right to decide what constitutes a 'single project'.
Some provincial governments also levy their own provincial research fees on foreign researchers, and have provincial research guidelines. These fees are ad hoc in nature, and there is no consistency in the level of charges imposed. NRI's Research Visa Liaison Section can provide up to-date information on the fees (if any) that are charged by most provincial governments. Researchers are advised to make any payment of such fees to the Provincial Administration on arrival in the relevant province. They should not include this payment with the payment of the Research Project Facilitation and Management Fees to the National Research Institute. Researchers should be aware that some provincial and local authorities may also request some form of compensation for approving a project.
Under no circumstances should Project Research Facilitation and Management Fees be paid to any other affiliating institution, except for the Institute of Medical Research for medical and human biology research projects and for film-making fees through the National Film Institute. Only the National Research Institute has the authority to levy such fees. The National Research Institute will not recognize other such payments as a substitute for its own facilitation and management fees.
Research Findings
Two copies of all publications containing the results of research conducted using visas authorized by the National Research Institute and approved by the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Immigration should be sent to the Institute, where they will be recorded as 'Publications Received'. They will be deposited in the Institute's research library, and a copy forwarded to the New Guinea Collection in the Michael Somare Library at the University of PNG. Researchers who are affiliated to institutions other than the National Research Institute should forward additional copies to those institutions as a condition of their affiliation. Provincial governments should also be sent copies of publications arising from research conducted in their respective provinces.
Two copies of CD-ROMs, films, and/or tapes made by researchers affiliated to the National Research Institute should also be forwarded direct to NRI. The National Research Institute will retain a copy of such material, and make arrangements to forward the second copy of the material to the appropriate holding institutions. Should any work be deposited with another institution, and not initially with NRI, evidence of such a deposit should be sent to NRI.
Researchers who fail to send copies of their publications, tapes, or films to the National Research Institute will have breached one of the agreed conditions of the research visa approval process. The Institute will not authorize the issue of any further visas to researchers who breach any of the conditions of the signed research agreement.
Cultural Property
The National Cultural Property (Preservation) Ordinance (amended 1967) of Papua New Guinea is designed to preserve the cultural heritage of the country for future generations. Physical locations which are protected by the Ordinance include:
- caves or other places in which ancient remains ― human or other ― may be found
- carvings, paintings, or other representations on rocks or in caves;
- deposits of ancient pottery or historical remains; and
- places used in former times as ceremonial or burial grounds.
A person shall not disturb or otherwise interfere with a place or an object referred to in this list. There are severe penalties for violation of this section of the Ordinance. Any person who is planning to investigate or work on a site of this nature should obtain written permission from the Trustees of the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery prior to the initiation of their activities. A written request outlining the proposed project should be sent to the Museum Director, P.O. Box 5560, Boroko NCD 111, Papua New Guinea to obtain affiliation (Tel: 675) 325 2458/5364; Fax: (675) 325 1779).
Permits that allow the export of items which are protected by the Ordinance can only be issued by the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery . Letters of request for such permits should be addressed to the Museum Director, indicating the nature of the material for which an export permit is sought. In the case of items being exported on a temporary basis, the request should additionally indicate the name and address of the Institution, as well as the person who will be responsible for the return of the material to Papua New Guinea , and the date by which the material will be returned.
Biological Specimens
Researchers wishing to export dead animals, animal parts, plant materials, or marine biological specimens also need to obtain official permits for this purpose. Requests for such permits should be sent to the Director, Resource Inventory Branch, Department of Environment and Conservation, Box 6601, Boroko, NCD, 111, Papua New Guinea (Tel: (675) 325 0195; Fax: (675) 325 0182). A duplicate set of specimens should be deposited with the University of Papua New Guinea, Biology Department, and/or the National History Section of the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery.
Plant Specimens
Researchers who wish to export any species of flora and other plant species need to obtain official permission from the Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 314, Lae, Morobe Province (Tel: (675) 472 4188; Fax: (675) 4724357). Specimens to be exported should be duplicated and deposited with the PNG Forest Research Institute.
Geological Specimens
Research organizations that wish to export geological samples must obtain permission for the Geological Survey of PNG and provide a detailed list of mineralized samples to be exported. While acknowledging that PNG may not have adequate facilities to maintain a duplicate set of samples, the samples exported remain the property of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. An MSR organization maybe granted a long-term loan of samples, the samples must be kept for the future benefit of MSR in PNG, and access by PNG scientists granted, as and when required.
Intellectual Property Rights
Researchers shall include with their research proposal a full disclosure of all field and research work to be carried out on samples and specimens of flora, fauna and geological matter collected, including marine biota, the objectives of such work, and any intention, needs, or potential requirements to patent, or otherwise formally or generally establish exclusivity of usage of any material, discoveries, or by-products derived therefrom. Copies of Memoranda of Understanding or Agreement through PINBIO, and with other Papua New Guinean organizations, in respect of such activities and any patent rights or gains, shall be included as part of the application. It is emphasized that ignorance of Papua New Guinean policies, laws, and legislation is no legal plea.
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