Recognizes dual citizenship under certain conditions and for specified countries: Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, United States of America and Vanuatu.

The Citizenship Act, which was passed in February 1976, allows Papua New Guinean citizenship to be acquired in several ways: naturalization, birth, and descent.

An applicant for citizenship must provide the following documents:

• four (4) passport-size photographs
• four (4) certificates from Papua New Guinean citizens who have known the applicant for at least two (2) years attesting to the applicant's character and suitability for citizenship
• a copy of the applicant's birth and marriage certificate (if any)
• copies of educational qualifications, e.g. Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Master's, etc.
• a statement of assets, liabilities, investments, business interests, and savings accounts both in Papua New Guinea and abroad, showing their value and location. (These details will be kept strictly confidential)

Citizenship by naturalization may be granted to foreign citizens when the following conditions are met:

• a citizen of another country must have lived on the territory of New Guinea for at least 8 years
• a foreign citizen is obliged to renounce his former citizenship
• a foreign citizen must have plans to live in the country in the future
• the foreign resident must have no criminal record.
• In addition, it is also important to respect local customs, culture, know the language of the country, and have a means of livelihood and a stable source of income.

To apply for citizenship through naturalization, you must complete these three forms:

• Application for Papua New Guinean citizenship
• Application for obtaining citizenship by naturalization
• Personal data form

Inclusion of children in the naturalization program

Children may be included in the parents' application for citizenship, provided that the children are under seventeen (17) years of age at the time of the application.

Children over the age of seventeen (17) must file a separate application for citizenship through naturalization.

Registration of Papua New Guinean citizenship within 12 months of birth abroad

This way serves for Papua New Guinean citizens to register the birth of their child abroad. This must be done within 12 months after the birth of the child. The definition of "child" applies to both biological and legally adopted children.

Citizenship by origin

This way is for applicants who have a parent or grandparent who is/was a Papua New Guinea citizen (or was eligible to be a Papua New Guinea citizen if they had lived until Independence Day - 16 September 1975); and have lived in Papua New Guinea for at least 12 months during the 3 years prior to applying for citizenship.

Applicants can also be granted permission to obtain dual citizenship of a specified country: Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, United States of America, and Vanuatu. Without dual citizenship approval, this option will require you to renounce all other citizenships as part of obtaining Papua New Guinea citizenship.

Citizenship through marriage

This way is for applicants who:

• are legally married to a Papua New Guinean citizen
• have lived in Papua New Guinea for at least 12 months in the 3 years prior to applying for citizenship
• Applicants can also be granted dual citizenship of a specified country: Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, the United States of America, and Vanuatu. Without dual citizenship approval, this option will require renouncing all other citizenships as part of obtaining Papua New Guinean citizenship.

Obtaining permission for dual citizenship of the established country (18-19 years old)

This way is for Papua New Guinean citizens aged 18-19 who want to be granted permission for dual citizenship of a specified country: Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, United States of America, and Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinean citizens can legally hold dual citizenship until the age of 19. At this stage, they are obliged to:

1. Renounce the citizenship of another country, whose citizenship they have; or

2. Obtain permission for dual citizenship in a specified country (Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, Great Britain, United States of America, and Vanuatu);

or

3. Relinquish Papua New Guinean citizenship.

Papua New Guinean citizenship is automatically lost if options 1 or 2 are not completed by the age of 19.

Obtaining permission for dual citizenship of established country (over 19 years old)

This pathway is for PNG nationals aged 19+ who wish to obtain dual citizenship of a specific country: Australia, Fiji, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vanuatu.

If you are a citizen of PNG and have dual citizenship, your rights are limited by the PNG Constitution (Sections 50, 51 and 65). Dual nationals do not have the right to vote in elections, hold public office, or own land.

If you were a PNG citizen and became a citizen of another country without dual citizenship approval, you will automatically lose your PNG citizenship.

Loss of citizenship

• Voluntary: Voluntary renunciation of Papua New Guinean citizenship is permitted by law. For details and paperwork, contact an embassy. The person must be at least 19 years old.
  Compulsory:
  • A person voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship, apart from marriage
  • A person exercises the rights of a citizen of a foreign state
  • A person takes an oath of allegiance to another country
  • A person joins a foreign armed force without government permission
  • A person travels on the passport of another country
  • Naturalized citizenship was obtained by fraud
  
  
  Persons recognized as refugees by the Papua New Guinean government:
  Can apply for citizenship by naturalization (long-term resident, investor or athlete) or citizenship by marriage