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Key Myanmar tourist visa facts are listed below. For business visa information, go here.
- Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Myanmar. Visa-free travel (for 14 days, or longer in some cases) is permitted for Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos passport holders.
- Citizens from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Macau are permitted visa-free travel for up to 28 days.
- Chinese and Indian passport holders can a get visa on arrival for USD50 (at international airports only).
- In addition to getting visas at embassies and consulates, Myanmar has an online e-visa system. It is designed to make the process of application simpler for visitors – particularly those from countries that do not have a Myanmar embassy.
- For e-visa applications, go to the official Ministry of Immigration e-visa website. Citizens of 100 countries are eligible for Myanmar e-visas; to see the full list, go here. For a list of Myanmar embassies and consulates around the world, go here.
- E-visas are currently valid for entry at Myanmar’s three main international airports: Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw and overland travel to Myanmar via the Thai-Myanmar border points of Mae Sai/Tachileik, Mae Sot/Myawaddy and Ranong/Kawthaung as well as India-Myanmar border points of Moreh/Tamu and Zokhawtar/Rikhawdar (e-visa is not valid at Thailand Phunaron/Htee Kee entry point).
- Due to the sensitive political situation in this border region, entry and exit via the Chinese land border of Ruili-Muse is restricted.
- Tourist visas are valid for 28 days, which can be extended by a further 14 days at a cost of US$3 per day (plus a one-off $3 administration fee). It is important to be ready with the correct change at your departure point. Bear in mind that if you overstay, you might encounter some difficulties booking travel and/or hotels in your overstay period, as not all service staff are aware of the overstay allowance.
- Do not apply for your visa too early: 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. If you are from a country that does not have a Myanmar embassy or consulate and you are unable to apply for e-visa, it will take longer still.
- You must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your departure from Myanmar.
- A single entry tourist visa will typically cost around US$50. Depending on which country you are applying from, the application procedures may vary, but it is usually a simple process. Go here to find your local embassy or consulate.
Getting a Myanmar visa in Thailand
If you are not getting your Myanmar visa before you leave your country of origin and you are not getting an e-visa, one of the most likely places might be Thailand, either in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The process in process in Bangkok is straightforward:
- The visa section at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok is open from 9am to 12 (noon) for applications; the embassy is closed at weekends.
- Tourist visas cost 1600 Thai baht 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 two passport photos and a photocopy of the photo/personal details page of your passport (there is a photocopier at the embassy). For same day visa completion you will also need to show your plane ticket to Myanmar.
- Visa pick up is between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.
- The Myanmar embassy is between Surasak and Chong Nonsi stations on the BTS Skytrain (Silom line). From Surasak, head east on Sathorn Road and the visa section is on your left after 400 metres (five minutes walk).
Go to embassies and consulates for the full addresses of the Bangkok embassy and Chiang Mai consulate.
Note that visa on arrival for tourists in Myanmar is no longer available.
Book a tour, transport or make an enquiry here.
