Overview
Tourism industry in Myanmar is still developing and the tourist influx is improving every passing year. The Myanmar government reinstated the electronic visa application system recently making it easy for travel enthusiasts to enter the country.
International travelers must know about the entry policy of Myanmar before planning their trip. Once they understand the policy, they can navigate through the visa application process confidently.
Allowed Activities
Tourist e-Visa
- Sightseeing (recreational visits)
- Meeting with friends and/or relatives
- Holiday visit
Business e-Visa
- Attend business meetings
- Attend conferences
- Attend trainings
- Attend Seminars
Processing Steps
Online Application
Form is received and reviewed for approval.
Receive Document
Receive the approved document via e-mail.
Arrive in Myanmar
Present the document upon arrival.
Requirements for Application
Passport Validity Upon Entry to Myanmar
It is of great importance to note that your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival in Myanmar territory. Also, make sure the passport has at least two pages available so it can be stamped upon entry.
Ports of Entry to be Used
How you arrive to Myanmar does matter when traveling with the e-Visa. It is important to be aware of the available entry ports that are allowed with the visa. Currently, there are only three (3) airports the visa online allows you to enter in the country.
Name of allowed airport:
- Yangon International Airport
- Mandalay International Airport
- Nay Pyi Taw International Airport
Name of allowed land border:
- Tachileik Checkpoint
- Myawaddy Checkpoint
- Kawthaung Checkpoint
- Tamu Checkpoint
- Rih Khaw Dar Checkpoint
Regular Passport Needed
In order for your application to be successfully approved, you need to hold a Regular Passport (aka an Ordinary passport). Diplomatic or Official passports are not accepted for Cambodia visa (e-Visa). If you do not hold a Regular Passport, please contact the embassy for further assistance.
Visitor Must Stay at a Registered Venue
There are plenty of places you can stay while in Myanmar. However, it is important to note that it must registered with the state. Almost all hotels and resorts will be properly registered so need need to stress about that. If you select to stay at a guest house through a vacation rental service like Airbnd or HomeAway, it is very important to inquire with the owner if the property is registered to receive tourists or businessmen.
You must stay at:
- A registered hotel
- A registered motel
- A registered inn
- A registered guest house
- A registered resort
Myanmar eVisa Processing
Known as the home of Theravada Buddhism, Myanmar is unique in culture, traditions, topography and food habits. The country definitely has much to offer for travelers from around the world.
Most travelers come to the country to explore Myanmar's unique culture and topography. They come as tourists for a short period of time.
Foreign businessmen too constitute a portion of foreign travelers to the country. Then, there are foreign nationals who come to the country to learn more about Buddhism and do various courses in meditation in Myanmar monasteries.
Foreigners from a few countries come to the country to work, especially in the Myanmar branch of a foreign company.
Based on the purpose of visit, duration of stay and country of origin, foreigners can get different types of visas to enter the country.
Citizens of a few foreign nations such as Singapore, Russia, Philippians and Thailand can enter the country visa-free.
They have to carry their passports and other supporting documents to enter and stay in the country for short-term not exceeding 30 days.
Entering with the Myanmar eVisa
Travelers from over 70 foreign countries can enter Myanmar with an electronic travel authorization (eVIsa) for activities related to tourism and business. For example, travelers with American nationality can get the eVisa to Myanmar.
The eVisa, which was introduced by the government of Myanmar in 2014, permits foreign nationals to enter and remain in the country for a short time in the validity period of three months.
Foreigners can apply for a Myanmar eVisa online by filling out a form. They can also upload all the documents and pay the processing fee online as well.
They can enter the country through international airports in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.
They can also cross the country's land borders at a few international check points.
Visa on Arrival
The government of Myanmar grants a special exemption to travelers from a few eligible foreign countries to visit the Asian nation. They are not required to get a visa or an eVisa prior to entering the country.
They can apply for a visa directly on arrival at an international airport in the country.
However, the government of Myanmar suspended this facility recently.
Travelers from the eligible countries can contact the respective Myanmar embassy to know about the travel documents that they need to enter the country now.
Travelers that are not eligible for the evisa or visa on arrival can apply for a visa through the Myanmar embassy.
Passport Validity and Conditions
To enter Myanmar, foreigners irrespective of their nationality should have a passport that is valid for at least six more months.
Most travelers are also required to get a legal travel authorization (a visa or eVisa) from the government of the country.
If the passports do not have the required validity, they need to be renewed before applying for a Myanmar eVisa.
Apart from the above documents, they also require to provide their travel and accommodation itinerary and proof of economic solvency.
Business travelers who wish to visit Myanmar need a letter of invitation from the businesses registered in the country.
Foreign visitors with this letter and eVisa for business can stay in the country for up to 70 days in the validity period of three months.
Similarly, foreigners arriving on a student visa should get an acceptance letter from a Myanmar university or educational institutes.
Entering Myanmar
Foreign travelers with proper entry permission can enter Myanmar via air and land. The Asian country has three international airports -- Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Yangon international airport is the busiest airport in the country. Located in the city of Yangon, the airport handled over 6 million passengers (both domestic and international) in 2018.
Today 34 airlines operate regular flights to 33 international destinations including Dubai, Beijing, Tokyo and New Delhi.
Yangon is the main gateway to Myanmar and has a capacity to handle over 20 million travelers per year and has four terminals.
Nay Pyi Taw international airport is located about 15 kilometers away from Naypyidaw, the country's capital.
Inaugurated in 2021, the airport has the capacity of handling over 3.5 million passengers and the government of Myanmar has extensive plans to expand its capacity and facilities in future.
Mandalay international airport is the second busiest airport in the country. The airport has flight services to 11 domestic and seven international destinations and it also boasts of the longest runway in the southeast Asia (4,267 m) that is currently in use.
The airport, at present, has one terminal catering to both domestic and international passengers.
Myanmar's land borders between Thailand and India are open for foreign travelers. However, the border crossing along Laos remains uncertain.
Myanmar land ports along China and Bangladesh borders are closed for foreign travelers. Foreign nationals with a Myanmar eVisa can enter the country through these land ports.
The eVisas are valid at two India-Myanmar border crossings and four land ports at the country's Thailand border.
However, only travelers with a regular Myanmar paper tourist visa can cross Htee Kee/Phunaron land port at India-Myanmar border.
Does a Myanmar Visa/eVisa Guarantee Entry
A Myanmar eVisa or visa does not guarantee entry to the country. All international travelers arriving in the country should undergo various security and immigration checks. Myanmar immigration officials may ask questions with regard to the purpose of the visit and others.
There may also be questions with regard to the identity and travel documents. Foreign nationals must answer the questions honestly.
They should also keep all their documents in order and easily accessible. If the officials find something amiss, they may deny entry.
It is also very important to follow the visa rules while in the country.
Note that foreigners who are overstaying the permitted duration of stay will have to pay heavy fines and they may not be allowed to visit the country again.
In some cases, there will be punitive actions like deportation.