25.01.2016
On 9 January 2016, the Ministry of Immigration and Population published a new notification concerning the issuance of visas. With effect from 11 January 2016, twelve (12) types of single-entry visas and three (3) types of re-entry visas are available for foreigners wishing to visit and/or stay in Myanmar.
On 9 January 2016, the Ministry of Immigration and Population published a new notification concerning the issuance of visas. With effect from 11 January 2016, twelve (12) types of single-entry visas and three (3) types of re-entry visas are available for foreigners wishing to visit and/or stay in Myanmar.
On 9 January 2016, the Ministry of Immigration and Population published a new notification concerning the issuance of visas. With effect from 11 January 2016, twelve (12) types of single-entry visas and three (3) types of re-entry visas are available for foreigners wishing to visit and/or stay in Myanmar. With the introduction of Employment Visas, this may be a first step towards the implementation of an employment permit system and stricter enforcement of immigration, labour and tax compliance in Myanmar.
Please find below a short summary of the most important changes.
With the exception of nationals from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, every foreigner wishing to enter Myanmar must obtain a visa.
Previously, foreigners were able to apply Tourist Visa, Social Visit Visa, Meditation Visa and Business Visa (for both single and multiple entry).
With effect from 11 January 2016, foreigners may now choose between twelve (12) types of visas:
(i) Gratis Diplomatic/Official Courtesy Visa (GDC/GOC);
(ii) International Organizations (Official Visa);
(iii) Tourist Visa;
(iv) Business Visa;
(v) Employment Visa;
(vi) Social Visa;
(vii) Religious Visa;
(viii) Education Visa;
(ix) Journalist Visa;
(x) Crew Visa;
(xi) Workshop/Seminar/Meeting/Research Visa; and
(xii) Transit Visa.
The aforesaid visas shall generally be applied for at the respective Myanmar Embassies and Consulates. In addition, certain nationals may apply for Visas on Arrival or e-Visas.
In addition, the new regulations provide for three (3) types of re-entry visas:
(i) Multiple Journey Special Re-entry Visa;
(ii) Special Re-entry Visa or Single Re-entry Visa; and
(iii) Re-entry Visa for foreigners entitled to reside in Myanmar permanently.
Re-entry Visas must in future be applied for from within Myanmar at the Foreigners Affair Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Population in Yangon, Myanmar.
Until now, most foreigners working in Myanmar were holding a Business Visa applied for at one of Myanmar’s Embassies and Consulates.
By law, foreigners residing in Myanmar for more than 90 days were further required to apply for a Foreigner's Registration Certificate. Until recently, this requirement was however rarely enforced by the immigration authorities, and Foreigner’s Registration Certificates were primarily applied for by foreigners requiring a Long Term Stay Permit or working for enterprises established under the Foreign Investment Law. The additional issuance of a Long Term Stay Permit, which was only available to persons holding a Foreigner’s Registration Certificate, allowed foreigners to reside in Myanmar without having to leave the country every 70 days as required for holders of a Business Visa.
Many foreigners residing in Myanmar on a long term basis did however refrain from applying for a Foreigner's Registration Certificate and Long Term Stay Permit due to the rather cumbersome application process.
With the implementation of the new visa regulations, Myanmar Embassies and Consulates may now only issue single entry visas. Anyone wishing to obtain a multiple-journey or re-entry visa will in future have to apply with the Foreigners Affair Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Population. It is our understanding that the Multiple Journey Special Re-entry Visa is similar to the previously available Long Term Stay Permit. In future, any person wishing to obtain a multiple entry visa may thus also be required to obtain a Foreigner’s Registration Certificate.
Further, the introduction of Employment Visas may be a first step towards the creation of a comprehensive employment permit system and stricter enforcement Myanmar’s immigration, labour and tax laws, since applicants may have to submit supporting documents such as certificates of employment, labour registration certificates or even tax payment receipts.
Until now, details of the implementation of the new system are unclear (the official notification of the Ministry of Immigration and Population is attached below). For further clarification or assistance with the application of Foreigner’s Registration Certificates, Long Term Stay Permit or the new re-entry visas please do not hesitate to contact us.
Luther Law Firm Limited
| Sr. No | Type of Visa | Visa Fees | Period of Stay | Terms & Conditions Required for Visa application | Abbreviation | Duration Of Visa | Single(S) or Multiple (M) | Remark |
| 1 | Gratis Diplomatic /Official Courtesy Visa (GDC/GOC) | Free | Tour of Duty | i. The order of Myanmar assignment as a diplomat/member of diplomatic mission by the country concerned ii. List of duty assignment by the ministry concerned | GDC/ GOC | Tour of Duty | M | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 2 | International Organizations (Official Visa) | 20 US$ | 28 Days | i. International Organizations recognized by UN ii. Organization that have registered according to Myanmar Association Registration Law iii. Recommendation by the Focal Ministry iv. Place of Business within Myanmar, type of Business, undertaking to abide by the existing national Laws. | O | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 3 | Tourist Visa | 20 US$ | 28 Days | i. Vacation ,visit and temporary stay only ii. Return air ticket iii. Address of the Hotel to stay at or the tour/ travel agent iv. The Details the itinerary of the package tour and undertaking by the tour/ travel agent | T | Three months | S | No Entitled to extend the visa |
| 4 | Business Visa | 36 US$ | 70 Days | i. Forms prescribed by Myanmar Investment Commission/Ministries concerned e.g. Form6/Form 26 by the Ministry of Commerce. ii. Receipts certifying payment of taxes imposed iii. Valid company/firm | B | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 5 | Employment Visa | 36 US$ | 70 Days | i. Certificates of employment as recommended by the Ministry concerned, e.g. Ministry of construction/ Ministry of Hotel & Tourism/ Ministry of communication & Information Technology/ Oil Exploration/fishery/ Soccer player ii. Labour Registration Certificates issued by the ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare iii. receipts certifying payment of taxes imposed | P | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 6 | Social Visa | 36 US$ | 28 Days | i. Documents certifying that applicant is Ex-Myanmar citizen ii. Documents certifying the relationship with Myanmar citizen iii. Full address of stay | S | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 7 | Religious Visa | 36 US$ | 70 Days | i. Application for visa to be submitted together with a letter of recommendation form the Ministry of Religious Affairs. ii. In the event of application for meditation: (a) recommendation by the Ministry of Religious Affairs certifying that the meditation centre is recognized by the ministry (b) recommendation by the in-charge of the meditation centre (c) undertaking not to do any job except meditation (d) return air ticket | R | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 8 | Education Visa | 36 US$ | 70 Days | i. Recommendation from the respective university/University of Foreign Languages in the event of Schooling II. Recommendation from the respective schools in the event of lecturing at the schools under the Ministry of Education | U | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 9 | Journalist Visa | 36 US$ | 28 Days | i. Recommendation of employment in local media ii. Documents certifying that the employing media is recognized by the Ministry of Information / Ministry of Home Afairs III. Recommendation from the ministry concerned to certify the attending of a local event | J | Three months | S | No Entitled to extend the visa |
| 10 | Crew Visa | 36 US$ | 28 Days | i Entry visa for those working as crew members; a. Invitation Letter by a local air line/recommendation for employment as current crew member. b. Permission / recommendation by the Ministry concerned recognizing the airline. II. Entry Visa for Crew on board a special flight; a. recommendation by the country concerned to certify that the special aircraft is used for the official visit by the hand of state. b. landing permission by the Ministry concerned and application by sponsor company for the crew and personal undertaking in the event a special aircrafts owned by private individuals | M | Three months | S | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 11 | Workshop/Seminar/Meeting/Research Visa | 36 US$ | 28 Days | i. In the event of application for attending Workshop/Seminar /Meeting; a. mention exaxt dates of events b. direct invitation by the Ministry and untertaking to abide by visa rules with FAPC permission ii. In the event of application for Research Visa; a. direct invitation by the Ministry mentioning the duration of stay b. FAPC permission | M | Three months | S | Only the Research Visa can be extended. The rest Workshop/Seminar/Meeting Visas cannot be extended. |
| 12 | Transit Visa | 10 US$ | 24 hours | Air ticket for a journey that will proceed forward not be retrospective | X | 24 hours | S | Not entitled to extend |
Visas shall be applied for at respective Myanmar Embassies and Consulates.
As for Visa On Arrival, the Business visa, Workshop/Seminar/Meeting/Research Visas, Crew Visa and Transit Visa applications will be permitted by Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport and Nay Pyi Taw International airport.
As for e-Visa, applications shall be submitted to http://evisa.moip.gov.mm
| Sr. No | Type of Visa | Visa Fees | Period of Stay | Terms & Conditions Required for Visa application | Abbreviation | Duration Of Visa | Single(S) or Multiple (M) | Remark |
| 1 | Multiple Journey Special Reentry Visa | 180 US$ | Duration permitted period | ii. People from enterprises, companies and organizations holding business visa, crew visa, gratis diplomatic/officcial courtesy visa, official visa shall submit round reasonswhy they need multiple journey special re-entry visa along with recommendations from the Ministry concerned. Note: In the event of asking for exemption from visa fees in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Ministry concerned, visa fees will be exempted. | W | During permitted period | MJSRV | Entitled to extend visa as per requirement |
| 2 | Special Re-entry Visa or Single Re-entry Visa | 54 US$ | Duration permitted period | Those holding the official visa, Business visa, employment visa, social visa, religious visa, education visa and research visa can apply for Re-entry visa of they wish to leave Myanmar during the permitted period but mus Re-enter before expiry of permitted period. | W | During permitted period | Single (SRV) | - |
| 3 | Re-entry Visa (for the foreigners entitled to reside within the country permanently) | 5000 Kyats | Permitted to live aboard for six months | i. Only for the foreigners entitled to reside within the country permanently. ii. In the event of continuous living abroad, six month stay abroad permit can be extended three times at the embassy concerned. iii. Permanent Resident Status holder foreigners cannot extend stay abroad permit | RV | Two month from the date of permission | Single (S) | In the event of more than 24 consecutive month stay abroad. |
Application shall be submitted to stay permit section ,Foreigners Affair Branch at No-122, Ground Floor , Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon
 | Alexander Bohusch
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