[6] Birthright nationality applies to: Regular naturalization in Papua New Guinea is acquired by submitting an application to the Minister with the responsibility for the administration of immigration.
[5] Applicants must provide evidence that they are of good character, have familiarity with the language and customs of Papua New Guinea, are self-supporting, and have resided within the territory for eight years.
[9] A special naturalization process for persons who have performed distinguished service to the public or nation is permitted for economic development or sporting achievement.
Portions of the coast of the island that would become known as New Guinea were regarded as part of the Hindu thalassocratic Majapahit Empire, which had declined by 1516.
Blown off course, he arrived at an island populated by the Papuan people and spent time in the port of Versija waiting for more favorable wind conditions to continue his journey.
[19] Two years later Álvaro de Saavedra encountered the Admiralty Islands off the northern coast of the Papua lands.
[24] In 1660, the Dutch and Moluccan sultanates, signed an agreement defining the territories each claimed, to prevent future disputes.
[26] Three years later, the Sultan of Tidore aligned with the Dutch East Indies Company and the Spanish withdrew from the area, leaving New Guinea independent from outside rule.
[30] In 1816, the Dutch government took over the territories formerly managed by the East India Company, continuing the vassal relationship with the Sultanate of Tidore.
[33] At the end of the conflict, under terms of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814, Dutch possessions were restored, which included in Article 5, the claim of New Guinea for its vassal state.
[33][34] Because of continuing disputes, the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 was agreed upon, delineating obligations of the two empires and stipulations to regulate trade and commerce.
[34][35][Notes 1] From the 1870s missionaries and traders operated on the eastern side of the island and various of the Australian colonies sought annexation of the territory.
[35][40] Queensland's action, prompted Germany to declare a protectorate over the northeastern part of New Guinea to protect its trade aspirations.
[41] German possession of the northeast, in turn caused a British response, making the southeastern part of New Guinea a Protectorate.
[42][43] Initially the territory included the northeastern portion of New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, but was extended in 1886 to encompass the North Solomon Islands.
Though similar legislation was not passed in the other Australian colonies, it became standard practice for women to lose their nationality upon marriage according to naturalisation records of widows seeking repatriation.
Within three days, the Germans surrendered and Australia established a military administration over Kaiser-Wilhelmsland, which would remain in place for seven years.
[67][68] In 1920, the Australian parliament passed a bill to create the civil administration in the territory, which included provisions to abolish slavery, prevent forced labour, and control alcohol and firearms.
[77] For those born abroad on or after the effective date, legitimacy was still required, and could only be derived by a child from a British father (one generation), who was natural-born or naturalised.
[79] Because of its status as part of the British Dominions, inhabitants of the Territory of Papua were subject to the provision of the uniform nationality law.
[81] In 1931, the Statute of Westminster confirmed full legislative independence for the Dominions, creating the possibility for separate nationality in member states of the empire.
In 1935 in New Zealand and in 1936 in Australia, legislation was passed to allow married women who might become aliens by marriage to retain their British nationality while residing in either country.
[98] Also in 1949, Australia began administrating the two territories as a single entity; however, for nationality, the policies remained different in each area.