Repatriation from Papua New Guinea to the UK

Expected timelines

How long does repatriation from Papua New Guinea take?

Timelines depend on circumstances. Here is an honest guide to what to expect.

Factors that can extend the timeline

• PNG is one of the most geographically diverse and infrastructure-poor countries; many areas accessible only by small aircraft or boat
• No Strasbourg Convention; full bilateral processing required
• High crime environment in Port Moresby and urban areas; deaths in security incidents involve police with limited forensic resources
• Limited forensic infrastructure; Port Moresby General Hospital is the main facility
• No direct UK cargo flights; all routing via Brisbane or Sydney to London
• Remote Highlands and island province deaths require charter aircraft evacuation before documentation begins

Documentation

Documents required for repatriation from Papua New Guinea

All of these must be obtained before air transport can take place.

The process

Overview of the repatriation process from Papua New Guinea