Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby and the Kokoda Track are entering a more documentation-focused phase for international adventure travel. Travellers arriving by air must complete the Papua New Guinea Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC), while anyone planning to trek the Kokoda Track must also deal with a separate permit and operator-licensing system. For Australian trekkers travelling through Port Moresby, the message is simple: immigration paperwork and trekking compliance are two different boxes, and both need attention before the expedition begins.
Key Stats
- PNGDAC: Mandatory for travellers entering PNG by air
- Submission window: Up to 72 hours before arrival
- Main airport covered: Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby
- PNGDAC completion time: Approximately 3–5 minutes when information is ready
- Kokoda trek permit: Required to legally walk the track
- Kokoda operator requirement: Commercial operators must hold a Commercial Operations Licence
- Group PNGDAC submission: Up to 10 travellers
- Main international gateway: Port Moresby
- Kokoda tourism gateway: Port Moresby/Owen’s Corner and Kokoda
- PNGDAC validity: One entry on the stated arrival date
The Digital Arrival Card Is Now A Crucial Travel Step
The PNGDAC replaces Papua New Guinea’s traditional paper incoming passenger card and applies to all travellers entering PNG by air.
Travellers can complete the form online within 72 hours before arrival, including the arrival date. The system requires passport information, flight details, accommodation information, travel purpose, health declarations and goods or prohibited-items declarations.
That means Kokoda-bound travellers should treat the digital form as part of their pre-departure checklist rather than something to ignore until landing.
The immigration system can accept group submissions, allowing travel agencies, tour leaders or families to submit details for up to 10 people at once.
Port Moresby Becomes The Documentation Checkpoint
For most international Kokoda trekkers arriving by air, Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby is the first major entry point into Papua New Guinea.
The PNGDAC confirmation is sent by email after submission. Travellers do not have to print it, although immigration authorities recommend downloading the confirmation or keeping accessible evidence on a device.
The form is not a visa.
That distinction matters because completing the Digital Arrival Card does not replace the requirement to hold the appropriate immigration permission for the trip. Papua New Guinea’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority states that travellers are responsible for obtaining the correct visa or entry permission before travel where required.
Kokoda Has A Completely Separate Compliance Chain
And here comes the second piece of the puzzle.
The Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) states that trek permits are the legal mechanism for walking the Kokoda Track. Permits can be obtained through licensed commercial operators or by individuals who are not conducting a commercial operation.
Commercial tour operators face an additional requirement: they must hold a Commercial Operations Licence (COL).
The KTA says licensed operators must meet minimum standards covering areas including first aid, communications equipment, compliance with PNG laws, group-size information, respect for local culture and land ownership, and porter welfare.
So booking a trek is not simply a matter of paying a tour company and turning up.
Why The Permit Matters For Trekkers
Kokoda is a physically demanding trek through rugged terrain and areas with deep historical and cultural significance.
The permit system supports the management of the track and provides a formal framework for trekkers, operators and local communities.
The KTA states that trek-permit revenue contributes to community payments, track maintenance, safety work and administrative costs.
For travellers, the practical takeaway is that a permit should be arranged before setting off rather than treated as an optional extra.
Licensed Operators Matter Too
The KTA specifically advises trekkers to check that the company they choose is a Licensed Tour Operator.
According to the authority, operators conducting commercial treks without the required licence can be stopped by KTA Rangers, while unlicensed operators do not provide the same minimum safety and operational obligations.
For international visitors, checking the operator’s current licensing status should therefore be part of the booking process.
The Trek Is About More Than Adventure
Kokoda combines rainforest trekking with one of the most significant Second World War landscapes in the Pacific.
The route passes through communities and locations associated with the 1942 Kokoda campaign, while the surrounding forests and mountains provide a demanding wilderness environment.
Travellers should therefore plan for physical preparation, appropriate equipment, medical considerations, communications arrangements and local cultural protocols.
The KTA describes preparation as essential because the trek is physically and emotionally challenging.
Travellers Should Keep Three Documents Separate
For a Kokoda holiday, three separate compliance questions should be considered:
First: Does the traveller have the appropriate PNG visa or entry permission?
Second: Has the PNGDAC been completed correctly within the permitted window?
Third: Has the Kokoda trek been arranged through the appropriate permit and operator system?
One document does not replace another.
Travel Details For International Visitors
Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport is Papua New Guinea’s principal international gateway.
Kokoda trekking logistics can involve onward domestic transport, road transfers and aviation arrangements depending on the selected itinerary and operator.
Papua New Guinea uses the Papua New Guinean kina (PGK).
Travellers should carry passport documentation, relevant immigration evidence, PNGDAC confirmation and trek documentation, while also allowing flexibility for domestic travel arrangements.
FAQ
1. When should the PNG Digital Arrival Card be completed?
It can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival, including the day of arrival.
2. Is the PNGDAC a visa?
No. The Digital Arrival Card is an immigration declaration and does not replace a visa or other required entry permission.
3. Do Kokoda trekkers need a permit?
Yes. The KTA states that trek permits are the legal way to walk the Kokoda Track, with commercial trekkers required to use appropriately licensed operators.
Timeline And Events
- 2005: The Kokoda Track Trek Permit Law established the formal permit framework.
- 2010: The Kokoda Track Authority introduced Commercial Operations Licences for tourism businesses operating along the corridor.
- 1 October 2025: PNGDAC was introduced to replace the traditional paper incoming passenger card.
- 2026: PNGDAC remains mandatory for travellers entering Papua New Guinea by air.
- 6 August 2026: The latest immigration directive highlighted the pre-travel Digital Arrival Card requirement.
- 2026: Kokoda trekkers continue to require appropriate permits and licensed commercial operators.
Conclusion
Papua New Guinea is making the Kokoda journey increasingly documentation-led from the moment an international traveller prepares to fly. The PNGDAC, visa or entry permission and Kokoda trek permit operate as separate requirements, while commercial expeditions must also use appropriately licensed operators. For travellers arriving through Port Moresby, completing the digital arrival process before departure and confirming trek documentation in advance can help prevent avoidable administrative problems before the demanding Kokoda adventure even begins.
