STUDENTS who were turned back by Papua New Guinea immigration on arrival in Moresby this week travelled under tourist visas, it was revealed.
More than 10 students travelling to begin their studies at various universities in PNG were affected.
“They boarded Air Niugini bound to PNG on Monday but were stopped by the PNG immigration officers on their arrival at the airport because they hold tourism visas,” a source said.
“The immigration department at the airport advised them to return and obtain student visas to allow them stay in PNG for a year.
“On Tuesday morning they sent them back and their return tickets were paid for by Solomon Islands high commission oin PNG.
“They slept overnight at the high commissioner’s residence.
“When they arrived back in Honiara they found out that their names were registered in the high commission’s system but not approved by the PNG immigration,” the source revealed.
He confirmed that the students were advised by NTU to travel on tourism visas.
“But it violates the PNG immigration policy, so they have to send them back to Honiara.”
The source claimed that the main cause of the visa delay was the student attaché failed to lodge the students’ visa application in time.
A parent whose nephew was affected said the students boarded the flight in desperation because they were already five weeks late.
“That surprised me as I just drop him (my nephew) on Monday and he rang me the next day (Tuesday) to pick him at the Henderson airport.”
He said the National Training Unit should have liaised on behalf of the students for their visas.
The PNG High Commission in Honiara referred calls made to their office to the NTU, which has failed to replay questions sent to them via email.
By STEPHEN DI’ISANGO
