At first the foreign minister said changes apply to ‘anyone who is not a tourist’, but it appears this exemption no longer stands

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Papua New Guinea has officially banned visas on arrival for all Australian visitors, after the Abbott government refused to return the favour to their nearest neighbour.

From 1 March, all Australians wanting a visitor, short-term single entry or restricted employment visa must apply through their nearest PNG consulate before setting off.

Last month PNG foreign minister Rimbink Pato said the changes would apply to “anyone who is not a tourist”, but it appears that exemption no longer stands.

All international airlines have been notified not to let Australians without visas on board flights to PNG, and those that somehow do will be immediately flown out.

Details of the ban were outlined in an official statement signed off by PNG’s chief migration officer Mataio Rabura, and confirmed by the PNG consul general in Sydney.

It comes after PNG decided to revoke the service for Australians last December, following bilateral talks in Canberra between foreign minister Julie Bishop and Pato.

But it decided to wait before enforcing the ban so the Abbott government could “reconsider its response”, and so Australians with travel plans were not inconvenienced.

However, it appears Bishop’s trip to Port Moresby earlier this month failed to resolve the impasse, with PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill’s request for a visa waiver scheme again rebuffed.

“After the visit by ... Julie Bishop, MP, during which the prime minister reiterated PNG’s desire for Australia to reciprocate its visa on arrival facility, and the response of maintaining the status quo, the government’s decision to ban the visa on arrival facility to Australian passport holders will now be enforced,” the statement read.

Under the terms of the ban, Australians on cruise ships or those flying in or out of PNG to board or depart a liner don’t need to apply beforehand because their visas are granted electronically.

Those transiting for less than eight hours also don’t require a visa, but must remain within the airport.

Comment has been sought from Bishop’s office.