How to Get Papua New Guinea CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 8 years
- Language
- Required, no test
- Dual citizenship
- Not accepted
- Civic test
- Required, no test specified
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Not acceptedNew citizens must give up their previous citizenship.Citizens who naturalise abroad lose their citizenship automatically, with exceptions.
- Available routes
- Region
- Oceania
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
Residence in Papua New Guinea is the basis of this route, together with the other conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
- Residence
- 8 years
Residence for 8 years required.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship
Renunciation of foreign citizenship required (except if person is a citizen of a prescribed country and obtained permission for retention of citizenship).
- Language
- Required, no test or certificate specified
Person speaks and understands language.
- Civic knowledge
- Required, no test specified
Respect for customs and cultures of the country, reasonable knowledge and understanding of the rights, privileges, responsibilities and duties of citizenship.
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Good character required.
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Person is unlikely to become a charge on public funds
Marriage or civil partnership
Marriage to a citizen of Papua New Guinea is the basis of this route, together with the conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Spouse of a citizen can apply to the Minister for citizenship by marriage. Criteria: Residence for 12 months in preceding 3 years, good character, marriage valid in PNG laws (but not under custom) and renounce other citizenship (unless a dual citizen).
Descent (citizen parent)
For a person with a parent who is a citizen of Papua New Guinea, the rules below set out how this route works. The law of Papua New Guinea confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
Descent (born in country)
Registered birth in PNG on or after date of independence (16 September 1975). One parent must be a citizen or would have been entitled to citizenship on independence.
Descent (born abroad)
Person born outside PNG on or after independence (16 September 1975). One parent must be a citizen or would have been entitled to citizenship on independence day. Birth must be registered.
Child of a new citizen
This route covers children of a person who becomes a citizen of Papua New Guinea, subject to the conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Transfer to a child
Person with one parent or grandparent who was or is eligible to be a citizen can apply to the Minister for citizenship by descent. Criteria: Residence for 12 months in preceding 3 years, good character, renounce other citizenship (unless a dual citizen).
Child coacquisition
Child of an applicant for naturalisation can become a citizen at same time as applicant.
Adoption
For people adopted by citizens of Papua New Guinea, the rules below set out what applies. Although the law of Papua New Guinea provides the basis, an additional step is still required.
Citizenship status to be determined by reference to natural parents, unless the Minister decides to allow an adoptive parent or grandparent (including adoption by custom) to be taken into account where the result would be to recognise citizenship
Other family members of citizens
This route covers certain family members not covered by the marriage or descent routes in Papua New Guinea. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person with one parent or grandparent who was or is eligible to be a citizen can apply to the Minister for citizenship by descent. Criteria: Residence for 12 months in preceding 3 years, good character, renounce other citizenship (unless a dual citizen).
Former citizens (reacquisition)
This route covers people who previously held citizenship of Papua New Guinea, subject to the conditions below. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Former citizen by automatic citizenship on date of independence (16 September 1975) or by descent can regain citizenship after 5 years residence (reduced to three years residence if person acquired foreign citizenship upon marriage and the marriage breaks down).
A child who loses PNG citizenship as a result of their parent losing PNG citizenship (Constitution Art. 74(3)) can apply to regain PNG citizenship. Minister to grant citizenship where that is in the best interests of the welfare of the child.
Stateless persons
Statelessness, or the risk of it, is the basis of this route in Papua New Guinea. The law of Papua New Guinea confers citizenship automatically, independent of any administrative decision.
Foundling or child of unknown identity or citizenship status will be deemed to have at least one parent who was a citizen (and thereby an automatic citizen)
Special achievements
For people whose achievements or contributions are recognised by Papua New Guinea, the rules below set out what applies. Authorities retain discretion and may refuse an application even when the conditions are met.
Person in a particular sport who is likely to win recognised medals can apply for naturalisation. Person in a particular sport who is likely to win recognised medals can apply for naturalization (Constitution). Criteria: Committee will consider sporting background, specific qualifications and skills to be gainfully employed, knowledge or undertaking to learn language, other connections to country (Act).
Person who has "resources, capital, commitment and credentials to invest in the country's economy to create employment and impart skills to citizens" can apply for naturalisation. Criteria: Committee will consider business and investment background and standing in any other country, background in creating employment and imparting skills to employees in other country, holds relevant investor visa, knowledge or undertaking to learn language, other connections to country.
Not available in Papua New Guinea: Birth in the country, Citizens of specific countries, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Residence during childhood, Very long residence, Refugees, Public or military service, Investment. Coded by GLOBALCIT for 1 January 2024 and updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
As a general rule, the law of Papua New Guinea does not allow a second citizenship in either direction.
- New citizens
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Citizens who naturalise abroad lose their citizenship automatically, with exceptions
Automatic loss of citizenship by obtaining nationality or citizenship of another country by voluntary act other than marriage. Automatic loss of citizenship by exercising a right exclusive to nationals of another country or taking oath or allegiance to foreign country. Except if citizenship of a designated country is acquired and permission is requested for retention of citizenship (Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vanuatu). Automatic loss of citizenship where person travels on a foreign passport (some exceptions, including with approval of minister).
Compare with neighbours
Under the law of Papua New Guinea, 8 years applies, exceeding the usual 5 years found across Oceania.
See how Papua New Guinea compares with every country in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fiji | 5 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Kiribati | 7 years | Required, no test | Not accepted |
 Marshall Islands | 10 years | Test or certificate | Not accepted |
 Solomon Islands | 10 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Tuvalu | 7 years | None | Accepted |
 Vanuatu | 10 years | Test or certificate | Citizens abroad only |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Constitution: Art. 67.
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Papua New Guinea Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/papua-new-guinea/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/papua-new-guinea/">How to Get Papua New Guinea Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become a Papua New Guinean citizen?
8 years of residence is the period for ordinary naturalisation in Papua New Guinea. Other legal conditions also apply.
Does Papua New Guinea allow dual citizenship?
Not as a general rule. The data codes dual citizenship as not accepted in Papua New Guinea.
Do I need a language test for Papua New Guinean citizenship?
Language ability is required for Papua New Guinean citizenship, though no test or certificate is specified.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Papua New Guinean citizenship?
Civic knowledge is required for Papua New Guinean citizenship, though no specific test is defined.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Papua New Guinean citizenship?
Yes, you must give up your current citizenship to get Papua New Guinean citizenship.
Can I get Papua New Guinea citizenship by marriage?
Yes, Papua New Guinea provides a marriage route. Procedure: discretionary.
Can I get Papua New Guinea citizenship by descent?
Yes, the law of Papua New Guinea provides citizenship by descent from a citizen parent. Procedure: automatic.
Can I get Papua New Guinea citizenship by investment?
The data shows no investment route for Papua New Guinea.
Related pages
Also see: Papua New Guinea passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.