Rosso’s Immigration legacy: Passport backlog cleared, borders strengthened

Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso has left the Immigration and Border Security Ministry after delivering major reforms, which include clearing the passport backlog, expanding immigration services across the country and introducing new digital systems.

Mr Rosso officially handed over the ministry to the new Minister for Immigration, William Bando, on Wednesday, July 22.

When Rosso took over Immigration ministry in October 2022, one of the biggest challenges was the large number of delayed passport applications and a shortage of passport books caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the government worked with the passport manufacturer to secure more passport books and speed up processing.

“Today, there is no backlog,” Mr Rosso said.

During his three years and nine months, Mr Rosso said the authority had made major improvements.

“We’ve accomplished a great deal in a short time. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re certainly not where we used to be,” he said.

Under his leadership, ICSA set up offices in Mt Hagen and Kokopo to provide regional services. New offices were also established in Arawa, Motukea International Sea Port, Rabaul Sea Port, Kiunga, Tabubil and Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport in Lae.

Mr Rosso said the opening of the Passport Printing Office at the Momase Regional Office in Lae was one of the key achievements of his term.

He said people from the Momase region, Highlands and parts of the New Guinea Islands could now access passport services closer to home instead of travelling to Port Moresby.

ICSA also improved visa services by reintroducing visa auto-grant processing, expanding online visa applications and increasing Visa-on-Arrival access for more countries.

Mr Rosso said these changes helped promote tourism, trade and investment in Papua New Guinea.

The authority also strengthened its international services, with migration officers appointed to PNG diplomatic missions in countries including China, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and the Philippines.

Mr Rosso highlighted technology upgrades as another major achievement, including the introduction of the new PNG e-passport with improved security features in 2025.

ICSA also launched the Sponsor Portal, allowing companies to apply online for work permits and working resident visas.

The introduction of the PNG Digital Arrival Card replaced the old paper arrival card, allowing travellers to complete arrival information online before travelling.

The Immigration Operations Command Centre was also established in Port Moresby in 2025 to strengthen immigration intelligence and border monitoring.

Mr Rosso also took a tough approach against foreigners who breached PNG’s immigration laws.

He said more than 500 illegal foreign nationals had been removed from the country during his time as minister for activities including illegal work, illegal businesses and other breaches of visa conditions.

“We welcome foreigners and their business, trade and investment to PNG, but they must follow our laws,” he said.

Mr Rosso also re-established the Citizenship Advisory Committee to address delays in citizenship applications.

The committee helped clear a backlog of applications, including cases involving West Papuans who have lived in PNG for many years.

He also directed a review of immigration laws, including the Citizenship Act, to address issues affecting Papua New Guineans who lost citizenship while working or studying overseas.

Mr Rosso thanked Chief Migration Officer Wellington Navasivu, senior officers and all ICSA staff for their support during his time as minister.

With Mr Bando now taking over the ministry, he inherits an immigration authority that has undergone major changes in services, technology and border management under Mr Rosso’s leadership.