Myanmar Tourist Visa Policy

In general, Myanmar visa policy is quite easy and straight forward, thanks to the development of tourism. 

If you are from the western countries such as USA, Canada, all European countries, or Australia, you can either apply for Visa online (e-Visa), or Visa at the embassy. At the moment, the citizen of 8 countries can apply for visa on arrival ($50/visa), and 12 countries can have free visa (visa exempt) on arrival. 

Vice versa, the visa is required in advance for most of the countries from Africa, some from central America, and some from middle east Asia.

Check out the map below to get a general idea.

Myanmar launched in 2014 an e-visa platform to facilitate the entry process and favor tourism. Citizens of 100 countries can apply online for tourist visas via Myanmar's Ministry of Immigration and Population website: http://evisa.moip.gov.mm. 

Below is how to apply for Myanmar online visa:

• Go to the Myanmar eVisa homepage to begin an application
• You will need one color photograph (4.8cm x 3.8cm) taken within the past 3 months.
• You will need a credit card to pay the application fee of US $50.
• Allow 3 working days to process your application. Burmese holidays may affect the turnaround.

Note: The visa application fee is nonrefundable, so make sure that your information is entered correctly the first time and that your photo meets the specifications!

After your application is processed, you will be emailed an approval letter. Print it out and give it to the passport official on arrival at the airport or designated land borders with Thailand and you will be stamped into the country.

Below is the list of international immigration checkpoints that provide e-visa services.

3 International Airports

• Yangon International Airport
• Mandalay International Airport
• Nay Pyi Taw International Airport

5 International land border checkpoints

• Tachileik Land Border Checkpoint
• Myawaddy Land Border Checkpoint
• Kawthaung Land Border Checkpoint
• Tamu Land Border Checkpoint
• Rih Khaw Dar Land Border Checkpoint

Check the below maps to have the idea of the location of those border checkpoints

If you are traveling to Myanmar via boat, you will need to secure a visa beforehand as electronic visas are not honored in any of the seaports. 

You can however exit the country at any overland border, providing that you meet the neighboring country entry requirements.

As of April 2018, they announced that they are now able to expedite services, allowing you to apply for a regular tourist visa with results being e-mailed to you within 24 hours. As this is all relatively new, we are still waiting on feedback from people who have tried this service themselves.

It is important to note that the validity of the e-visa approval letter is 90 days from the issued date. If it is expired, your entry will be denied. Your visa is valid for 28 days, plus the chance to extend for another 14, giving you a total of 42 days.

You do not need to provide the information of your accommodation during Visa-application process. Bit foreigners are only allowed to stay in registered hotels, motels, inns, guest house and resort during your stay in Myanmar.

1. What is Myanmar E-Visa, Online Visa, or electronic Visa?

The Myanmar electronic visa, or e-Visa Approval Letter, is a mandatory travel requirement for foreign nationals from qualifying countries who wish to visit the Republic of Myanmar for tourism purposes.

Below is the sample of Myanmar Visa e-visa approval letter

2. What do I need to apply for a Myanmar tourist e-Visa?

You need to provide the following information:

• Passport with at least 6-month validity from the planned date of entry.
• Passport-style color photo taken within 3 months of your application.
• A debit/credit card or Paypal account for payment.

3. How much does a Myanmar tourist e-Visa cost?

If you apply by yourselves visa the official e-visa page, the cost is $50/visa not including the card processing fee.
There are some websites that provide the services, and they will charge you about $20-25/visa for the services fee.

4. When should I apply for my Myanmar tourist e-Visa?

We recommend you start applying for your e-Visa 1 month before planned arrival date. With such period of time, you have enough time to make any correction if needed.

Moreover, it is not too early so that you can avoid the chance of losing your money because of changing the plan.

5. How long does it take to process a Myanmar tourist e-Visa?

You will receive an application acknowledgment first. The processing time is up to 3 working days for normal Business and Tourist Visa, and 24 hours for Tourist Visa Express Service (365 days a year). In all cases, processing time starts when the application acknowledgement e-mail is sent, after application is submitted and online payment is successful.

6. How long is a Myanmar tourist e-Visa valid for?

The Myanmar tourist e-Visa is valid for 90 days after issued. This means you must enter Myanmar within 90 days after issued. It is a single-entry visa and allows for a maximum stay of 28 days Total.

7. What requirements should my passport meet if I want to apply for a Myanmar tourist e-Visa?

Applicant’s passport should have at least 6-month validity from the time of entry into Myanmar and at least one blank page.

8. If I have more than 1 passport, can I apply for the e-Visa using the particulars from the first passport and travel with the second passport?

No, you must use the passport that you used to apply for e-Visa. 

9. How many entries do I get with the Myanmar e-visa?

It is only valid for a Single Entry.

10. I do not have my hotel booking; can I apply for a Myanmar e-Visa?

You don't need a hotel booking to apply online. However, foreign nationals must stay in registered hotels, motels, inns, guest houses or resorts.

11. Who are eligible for Myanmar e-Visa?

The citizens of 100 hundred countries listed below are eligible for Myanmar online visa

12. How do I receive my e-Visa approval letter?

When your eVisa application has been approved an Approval Letter is sent to your designated email address. Alternatively you may download your Approval Letter via Visa Application Status Enquiry http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/statusenquiry. Please take note that the download option is only available if your application has already been approved.

13. Do I have to print the approval letter, or can I show an electronic version or photo of it to the immigration officers?

You are currently required to print out the eVisa Approval Letter and present it to the Immigration Officer upon arrival. Failure to provide a printed copy may delay your entry.

14. Can I print my visa in black & white?

Yes, as long as it is legible to the Immigration Officer.

15. My application is denied, what should I do?

The reason(s) and further instruction(s) should be mentioned in the email that they sent to you. In most of the case, you need to apply for your tourist visa at your nearest Myanmar consulate/embassy.

Though, Visa application verification and approval policies are the same across all embassies and online applications, the embassy can give you further instruction on how to apply for Myanmar visa in your case.

16. Do I get refunded if my application is rejected?

No refunds are issued under any circumstance, you need to read the terms and conditions thoroughly before applying for your Myanmar e-Visa

17. I have completed my application and payment but there is no email confirmation, what should I do?

Please check your Spam or Junk mail folder, and wait 1 hour before contacting the immigration office

18. My child is under 7 years old, does he/she need a separate e-Visa and what are the costs associated?

Children under 7 must apply with an adult. There are no additional costs – they will be added to your Myanmar Tourist e-Visa at no extra cost, thus the total amount will still be USD 50 per person (excluding the service fee).

19. Can I enter Myanmar with my e-Visa visa at any point of entry?

There are restrictions to where you can use the e-Visa. The only available ports of entry into Myanmar with the e-Visa are as follows:

1. One of the 3 International Airports: Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw
2. One of the 5 International Land Border Checkpoints: Tachileik, Myawaddy, Kawthaung, Tamu-Moreh, Rih Khaw Dar-Zokhawthar

20. Can I use e-Visa to enter Myanmar when I arrive with a cruise ship?

No. If you are visiting Myanmar via cruise/boat, please contact your travel agency for a pre-arrangement Visa on Arrival. You can NOT use the Myanmar e-Visa to enter Myanmar via seaport

21. Do I need to queue at Visa on arrival desk when I reach Myanmar with e-Visa approval letter?

eVisa is not a Visa on Arrival hence there is no need to queue for any visa sticker. Proceed straight to immigration counter when you arrive.

22. How long can I stay in Myanmar with the tourist e-Visa?

The maximum stay allowed is 28 days Total.

23. I plan to travel from Myanmar to another country for a short trip and return to Myanmar. Do I need to apply for 2 visas within such a short period of time?

Yes, you will need to apply for two e-Visas. Each e-Visa is only valid for a Single Entry.

24. I would like to join meditation classes and stay at one of the meditation centers in Myanmar, can I apply for online Visa?

No. You will have to apply for a religious visa at a Myanmar Embassy or Consulate near your location.

25. My trip is delayed and my eVisa is expired. Can you change my e-Visa validity date?

We are not able change the validity dates on your eVisa. We encourage you to re-apply for another visa.

Since 01 October 2019, holders of normal passports from 6 western countries together with China and India may obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Yangon International Airport, Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, or Mandalay International Airport valid for 30 days, the visa fee is US$50.

Here is the list of the citizens of 8 countries that can apply for Myanmar Visa on arrival:

• Australia
• China
• Germany
• India
• Italy
• Russia
• Spain
• Switzerland

In the efforts to attract more western travelers, Myanmar government is planning to issue visa on arrival for up to 20 countries. Stay updated!

Myanmar Visa on arrival requirements

• Holders of the ordinary passports from the above-mentioned countries who travel by the flight can apply for the Visa on Arrival (Tourist) at the Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport and Nay Pyi Taw International Airport.
• Fee for Visa on Arrival (Tourist) is US$ 50 and the duration of stay (in Myanmar) is 30 days.
• The Visa on Arrival (Tourist) will be grated for the tourism purpose only.
• Extension of stays will not be granted.
• Applicant shall abide by the existing laws and rules and regulations of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
• Applicant can travel any places except the restricted area for the security reason.
• Concerned Security and Immigration authorities can deny the applicant’s entry into Myanmar.
• Applicant must depart from any International entry/ exist point of Myanmar.

More information: http://www.mip.gov.mm/on-arrival-visa/

Requested documents at the airports

• Valid passport with at least 6-month validity on the date of arrival
• 02 recent color photos (4X6cm)
• Printed confirmed itinerary from the local travel agency
• Fill in the Myanmar Visa on arrival form

As another effort to promote Myanmar tourism as well as long-term relation between countries, an exemption of visa has been granted to facilitate the traveling of citizens.

There are now 9 ASIAN countries that nationals do not need a visa to enter Myanmar and 9 countries encompassing Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia have a duration of stay lasts for 30 days, except Indonesia and Brunei with 14 days of stay.

From October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019, ordinary passport holders from Japan, Hongkong, Macau and Korea are granted Myanmar visa exemption for tourism purpose only with the length of stay lasts for 30 days.

Check the list below for your reference:

30 days

• Singapore
• For tourism only
• Hong Kong*
• Japan*
• Macao*
• South Korea*

14 days

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Philippines
• Thailand (for air arrivals only)
• Vietnam

(*) – Temporary policy from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2020. 

If for some reason you cannot sort out a Myanmar visa online or need to cross the border at a different entry point, you can still apply the "old fashioned" way. 

Namely by either visiting a Burmese embassy or mailing your passport, visa application, and money order to an embassy for processing.

In order to get your visa from the nearest consulate, you will usually need two passport photos, cash, and a photocopy of the personal details page of your passport. 

The cost of the visa is the same as e-visa, that is US $50, but you might need to pay for additional processing fees, depending on which embassy you are applying at.

If you are having your visa expedited, you need to show your plane ticket to Myanmar. Sometimes, they will also ask for the name of your guesthouse or hotel so keep this in mind.

For more information about process and entry requirement, you can get in touch with Myanmar’s consular services in your country of residence. Consult our useful addresses page to find their contact details.

If you are not getting your Myanmar visa before you leave your country of origin and are already in Asia, one of the most likely places might be Thailand. You can apply both in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Though, the process in Bangkok is probably more straightforward:

• The visa section at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok is open for applications from 9am to 12pm during weekdays only. The lines can get pretty long so make sure you go early.
• Tourist visas cost 1600 THB (US $50) for two working day completion. Quicker processing may incur extra charges and same day completion requires you show plane tickets for a flight to Myanmar within 24 hours.
• You will need 2 passport photos and 1 photocopy of the personal details page of your passport. A photocopier is available at the embassy.
• Visa pick up is between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

The Myanmar embassy is between Surasak and Chong Nonsi stations on the BTS Skytrain. From Surasak, head east on Sathorn road and the visa section is on your left after 400 meters, which is just a five minutes’ walk. Below are the exact contact details :

• Address: No.132, Sathorn NUA Road, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
• Phone: +66 2 233 2237
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: mebangkok.org

Some travelers extend their trips by overstaying their visa. This is not normally a problem, as long as you do not overstay for more than 14 days. You will be charged US $3 a day, plus a US $3 registration fee, at the airport or land border as you exit the country. The fine can be paid in kyat as well, but it is important to have the correct amount, as receiving change is unlikely.

However, some hotels will not take guests who have overstayed their visas, and domestic airlines may be unwilling to let you on planes. If you are overstaying, it is wise to stick with land routes and places within easy reach of Yangon. There have been cases in the past of tourists being instructed to leave the country immediately if their visa has expired.

As you can see, there are different ways to get your visa for Myanmar, and there are many factors to consider such as citizenship, duration of stay, due date …

In any case, upon receiving your visa, it is essential to double check all information. In case of inaccurate personal information, please contact the corresponding service for correction or adjustments. 

Also remember that your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank visa page.

Do not apply for your visa too early since the period for visa validity (i.e. your Myanmar entry date) may range from one to three months.

Do not apply for your visa too late. If you are applying for a paper visa, embassies and consulates can take anything from one day to more than two weeks to process your application. 

There is no multiple entry tourist visa, you can have only one current visa in your passport. The only solution is to apply for an e-visa and then after you leave, immediately apply for another e-visa to return.

Due to the sensitive political situation in this border region, entry and exit via the Chinese land border of Ruili-Muse is restricted.

If you wish to get more details about visa to Myanmar or are in a specific situation not detailed above, we invite you to send us an email. We will do our best to give you an answer as soon as possible.

Q. Is Myanmar safe to visit?

Travel to almost all parts of Myanmar is safe. In general, visiting to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake should use normal safety precautions. Anyone thinking about visiting Rakhine State should reconsider their need for travel. The overall rating for the country is “high degree of caution”. 

Check out Myanmar safety and precaution here

Q. When is the best time to visit Myanmar?

The best time to visit Myanmar (Burma), therefore, is during the drier winter months of November to February. It's hot during the daytime, and lowland temperatures remain pleasant at night – although bring much warmer layers for the highlands and hill stations as they are chilly in the evenings.

Q. How to book the cheap flight to Myanmar?

This will require a little skill and plan in advance. Check the detailed guide to book cheapest ticket to Myanmar here

Q. How much does a trip to Myanmar cost?

The trip to Myanmar will roughly cost $120-150/person/day for the group of 2 travelers. Depending on the hotel you choose or the activities you join, the cost can reach up to more than $200/person/day.

Check out the guide for Myanmar tour cost here