Published: August 11, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Papua New Guinea Travel Advisory and Papua New Guinea Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Port Moresby
Harbour City Road, Konedobu, Port Moresby, N.C.D. Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675-308-9100
After-hours emergencies: +675-7200-9439. Hours: Monday-Friday, 0745-1630.
OSAC Country Chapters
Port Moresby Country Chapter is active. Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Papua New Guinea Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea (PNG) due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy. Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters. Do not travel to Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, due to the potential for civil unrest; and the Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka, due to civil unrest, and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Papua New Guinea and assessed Port Moresby to be a CRITICAL-threat location for crimes, indicating that there may be widespread risk and frequent occurrences of violent crime present in the country, and that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
The crime emergency line in Papua New Guinea is 112.
Port Moresby suffers from high unemployment, with up to half of the population reportedly living in squatter “settlements.” The export-driven economy continues to rely on global commodity prices. An uptick in the prices of key commodity exports has helped, but the risk of price fluctuations remains. Inflation is a recurring challenge. Port Moresby ranks 166 out of 172 cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2024 Livability Index. However, visitors who exercise common sense and apply appropriate security measures can generally move around the city safely and conduct business without significant issues.
Crime rates against foreign diplomatic staff and private-sector personnel are significantly lower than rates of crime committed against the public. This is due mainly to comprehensive security plans laid out by sponsoring countries/organizations that include but are not limited to rules on movement; identification of high-crime areas; security escorts; tracking devices; on-call response teams; housing alarms; 24/7 guard surveillance; redundant comms; and real-time threat reporting.
Failure by security managers to develop a comprehensive security plan significantly increases risk to their clients. Similarly, disregarding security protocols developed by one’s security officer significantly increases the likelihood that the individual will fall victim to a security incident.
Be particularly cautious of pickpocketing in crowded public places, especially local public markets. Bag snatchers may try to open doors of automobiles stopped or moving slowly in traffic. They may also try to snatch cell phones, bags or valuables if the windows are down. Sophisticated criminal enterprises exist, with capabilities that sometimes exceed that of local law enforcement authorities. Many businesses in Port Moresby have gated parking lots with guards on duty.
Locals may perceive Westerners as wealthy, making them targets of opportunity. U.S. citizens have been victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault, carjacking, home invasion, kidnapping, and armed robbery, although not as frequently as in the past. Much crime is deterred because of the security measures many companies and private Western citizens take. Criminals may become aggressive during a crime if they meet with resistance, which highlights the need to brief staff upon arrival not to risk harm over a wallet or phone.
Tensions between communal or clan groups may result in violent conflict at any time, including in Port Moresby and other urban areas. Especially in the Highlands region, tribal conflicts that happen in the provinces sometimes spill over to Port Moresby. Tribal conflicts, while often deadly and destructive, do not typically involve outsiders or westerners. Westerners who find themselves endangered by tribal conflict are usually in the “wrong place, wrong time” category.
Offenders use guns and other homemade weapons in attempted ambush attacks on main roads in residential areas during broad daylight and at night. In rural and isolated areas of Port Moresby, incidents of stone throwing at vehicles have occurred, for no purpose other than amusement. Stone throwing also occurs in Port Moresby along the Poreporena freeway and the Hubert Murray Highway, mostly at night. Criminals may coordinate robberies and carjackings based on known direction of travel chokepoints. Carjackers routinely stand in the road to block passing vehicles and demand compensation and/or personal property from vehicle occupants. Driving at night significantly increases the risk of encountering a criminal roadblock or carjacking. At night, offenders are more unpredictable due to intoxication or impairment. Victims are usually only harmed when they resist, when a misunderstanding occurs, or a secondary opportunist crime occurs (e.g., sexual assault, kidnapping for ransom).
Criminal gangs use any means necessary to force passengers from their vehicles. One such scam involves pretending to patch potholes on roads, expecting motorists to compensate them for the work done. The location is usually in the MOMASE (Morobe, Madang, & Sepik) and Highlands regions, and some areas in Port Moresby where there is less vehicle traffic. Another tactic involves a person pretending to be injured in the road. Do not stop to help this individual. Call the authorities or report to a security manager to seek local police assistance. If the person is lying in the middle of the road, drive around them. If you cannot, remain in your car, drive away using any available way, and call for assistance.
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should contact the U.S. Embassy at +675 308 2100 for assistance. Report crimes and law enforcement-related emergencies to local police by calling 112 or toll-free number 1800 100. In the event you are unable to get through to the police, operators with St. John Ambulance Service may be able to assist you by passing your request to the police control center. You may also contact the U.S. Embassy. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.
The systems typically used in more developed countries to vet prospective candidates for employment are not present in PNG. Improper record keeping, forged documents, the absence of a well-implemented national identification card system, lack of birth certificates, etc. make it nearly impossible to properly screen candidates to any acceptable standard. The lack of a well-maintained criminal database, coupled with informal and undocumented criminal punishment, exacerbate the problem. As a result, local record and fingerprint checks represent less than ideal tools in the employee vetting process.
Education certificate fraud is common, and private companies may face challenges verifying an applicant’s employment history, education, etc. The best course of action is to speak directly to the institutions that have issued the diploma about the certificate’s veracity before hiring based on educational history.
Crime rates are highest in and around major cities such as Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Mount Hagen, and Goroka; but crimes can occur anywhere. There is a greater risk of violent crime for those who travel alone, especially when hiking in isolated rural areas. Pickpockets and bag-snatchers frequent crowded public areas, including parks, golf courses, beaches, and cemeteries. Bag-snatchers may try to open doors of automobiles stopped or moving slowly in traffic.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Papua New Guinea, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
With an influx of expatriate workers supporting the extraction industries technically and administratively, the frequency of kidnappings may increase. Kidnapping for ransom or political influence does occur with recent cases occurring in Western Province. In February 2023, a foreign citizen was kidnapped; in late 2022, foreign citizens employed by an international company were kidnapped and held for several days. With the growing trend of quickly settling ransom demands with cash, these trends are not likely to change.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Moresby as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Papua New Guinea.
Transnational terrorism is uncommon in PNG. Outsiders do not easily blend into the PNG culture; therefore, transnational terrorists may find it relatively difficult to plan attacks or conduct violence discreetly.
Tribal warfare occasionally resembles indigenous terrorism but is usually conducted on a person-to-person level. Tribes often battle each other using both traditional and modern weapons over disputes involving land, water, livestock, and marriages. Acts of violence often result in retaliatory attacks. It should be noted that official PNG government messaging seems to indicate a shift in tone towards what it is considered terrorism. What used to be considered tribal violence is starting to get referred to as “domestic terrorism.” The Counter-Terrorism Bill of 2024 defines terrorism and establishes a Counter-Terrorism Joint Security Task Force. A special anti-terrorism police unit, Kumul 23, has been created to respond to acts of terrorism. As of May 2025, it is too early to determine how these orders will be carried out.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Moresby as being a Medium-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. This was rated “High” just a few years ago.
The U.S. Department of State has included an Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Papua New Guinea, indicating that there is a likelihood of widespread political violence present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious civil unrest. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Since gaining independence in 1975, PNG has experienced periods of political volatility. In some parts of the country, electoral contests involve widespread violence, fraud, bribery, voter intimidation, and undue influence. General elections occur every five years
Papua New Guinea held general elections in July 2022 and is set to host local elections in mid-2025 and national elections in 2027. Dozens of election violence-related deaths were reported in several locations in 2022, both during the pre-polling and vote-counting periods. The electoral roll, which holds the country’s list of registered voters, has not been updated since 2012, thereby disenfranchising nearly one million eligible voters. Although Australia sent 130 defense force personnel to assist with logistics, they did not serve in a security capacity, and thus local security personnel were overmatched by the number of additional voters and voting locations.
Intense disputes between politicians often gridlock Parliament while inadequate resources, understaffing, and corruption limit the effectiveness of services provided by government.
Protests & Demonstrations
The constitution provides for the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respects these rights. Public demonstrations require police approval and 14 days’ notice. If public demonstrations occur without official approval, police normally request crowds to disperse. If that fails, and if violence or public disturbances ensues, police have used tear gas and fired shots in the air to disperse crowds.
Demonstrations occur frequently and provide opportunities for ordinary people to take advantage to loot. They are colloquially known as “opportunists.” They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Tensions between communal or tribal groups may also lead to civil unrest involving violence.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There is no Anti-U.S./Anti-Western sentiment. Local opinions of the United States are generally positive, with the opinion based mostly on World War II American assistance and the prolonged work of missionaries, especially in the Highlands.
Law Enforcement
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Correctional Services maintain internal security and report to the Ministry of Internal Security. When requested by the constabulary commissioner, defense force elements may deploy to support the constabulary, typically utilized in perimeter and checkpoint security. Civilian authorities at times have not maintained effective control over the security forces. Historic tensions between the Constabulary and the Defense Forces are a serious concern. The police and military have a long-standing mutually antagonistic relationship that, at times, has hampered security and law enforcement operations, reflecting the lack of professional development, poor command and control structures, and the consequences of stress placed on organizations tasked with more responsibilities without an equal increase in resources.
Police Response
Police presence is limited outside the capital; in the event of an emergency the local police may not have the resources to respond in a reasonable period. During times of civil unrest, police will be preoccupied and are unlikely to respond.
If you are a victim of crime, you may report or register a complaint at any police station in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred.
File a police report as soon as possible after a crime has been committed. If the victim is not capable of reporting the crime in person, someone else may file a police report on their behalf. The police will provide an interpreter, if needed. Victims can also report a crime to the PNG Embassy in the U.S. if they have already left the country.
The U.S. Embassy may file a complaint on your behalf. If you have difficulties filing your police report with an official, contact the U.S. Embassy immediately. You may need a police report to file for crime victim compensation or insurance reimbursement. If you do decide to file a report, send a copy to the Embassy, along with your address and phone number in the event they need to communicate with you.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Papua New Guinea, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Papua New Guinea.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government does not enforce the law effectively. There were numerous reports of government corruption; officials often engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.
International civil society and human rights groups termed corruption “widespread” and “pervasive.” Corruption was a problem in part due to weak public institutions, patronage systems, lack of transparency, politicization of the bureaucracy, and the social pressure of traditional clan obligations. Corruption and conflicts of interest were of particular concern in extractive industries, most notably the logging sector, and in government procurement.
The constitution prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court, but these provisions were rarely enforced.
PNG law permits police officers to search any person, building, vehicle, cargo, or baggage that they have reasonable grounds to believe may relate to any offense against public order or the crime decree.
Although the constitution prohibits torture, individual police and correctional-services officers reportedly beat and otherwise abused citizens or suspects before or during arrests, during interrogations, and in pretrial detention.
The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respects judicial independence and impartiality. The law provides for a presumption of innocence and due process, including a public trial “within a reasonable time,” and the court system generally enforces these rights, except for timeliness. The shortage of judges created delays in both the trial process and the rendering of decisions.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is not common in Papua New Guinea. However, as the use of technology in the country increases, so too does the threat of cybercrime. The government passed a Cybercrime Code Bill in 2016 in part to address these concerns. In 2021, PNG’s Department of Finance was struck with a ransomware attack, with hackers demanding a Bitcoin ransom payment in exchange for data. A month later after the attack on IRC on February 21, it was reported that the Bank of PNG (BPNG) experienced a cyber incident. Most recently, the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) was hacked on January 28, 2025, using ransomware.
Credit card skimming in PNG was a growing concern and emerging threat, posing a risk to the security of the banking system. Two Romanian nationals were arrested in Port Moresby in January 2025 for allegedly participating in the card skimming scheme.
Import/Export Restrictions
PNG customs authorities enforce strict regulations governing firearms, certain prescription drugs, wooden artifacts, animal products, food, and sexually explicit material. Do not bring firearms into the country. Other products may be subject to quarantine. You should contact the Embassy of Papua New Guinea in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Starlink has not yet been licensed for use within the country. Regardless, it is estimated there are around 4,500 Starlink users within the country.
Materials considered obscene are illegal in PNG; the interpretation as to what constitutes obscene materials is loosely defined.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
