Myanmar is one of the most exotic tourist destinations globally, offering visitors a truly spectacular experience. Other than the breathtaking landscapes, ancient pagodas, temples, and rich Eastern culture, the warmth and hospitality of the people of Myanmar make the biggest impression on visitors.
Read on to learn about the Myanmar visa for travellers.
Summary
| Requirement type | Mandatory for travellers |
| Purpose of travel | Tourism |
| Valid | 90 days from issue, 28 days from arrival
|
| Entry/exit | Single |
| Processing time | 1 week (urgent processing 24 hours)
|
| Cost | 99 EUR |
| Application method | Online only |
| Payment method | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal |
What Is the Myanmar Visa?
The Myanmar visa or e-visa is an electronic travel approval letter sent to you via your email. This letter, which you print out, is an indication that the traveller can enter the country. On arrival in Myanmar, the immigration office will append your visa to your passport at no additional charge.
Requirements For a Myanmar Visa
Travellers must meet the following requirements to apply for a Myanmar visa:
- A passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
- Proof of accommodation for at least one overnight stay
- Proof of a return or transit ticket
- A scanned copy of the passport information page
- A debit or credit card for the visa fees
- A passport-type photograph
Your passport photograph should meet the following requirements:
- Minimum of 600 dpi resolution (1200 px)
- 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm dimensions
- Clear photo (no blurring)
- Colour photo on a white background
- Clothing must be in contrast with the background (do not wear a white shirt)
- No smile
- No headwear except for religious purposes
- Photo taken within the last 6 months
You can certainly take this photograph using your smartphone as long as it meets these Myanmar visa requirements.
Who Needs a Myanmar Visa?
All travellers to Myanmar need a visa regardless of their age. Additionally, you can only use your Myanmar e-visa at the following entry points:
- Yangon International Airport
- Mandalay International Airport
- Nay Pyi Taw International Airport
- Kawthaung Land Border
- Tachileik Land Border
- Tamu Land Border
- Rik Khaw Dar Land Border
- Myawaddy Land Border
If you would like to enter Myanmar through any other points, you should apply for a different travel permit or traditional visa through the Myanmar Embassy in London.
How Long Does a Myanmar Visa Last?
The Myanmar visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and it allows a single entry and exit for a maximum of 28 days per visit. Unlike most visas, you can stay for 28 days in Myanmar even if you arrive on the 90th day after your visa approval passes through.
This allows some extra flexibility for travellers to adjust their Myanmar travel itineraries. However, if you leave Myanmar before the 28 days are over, you must apply for a new Myanmar visa.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Myanmar Visa?
The Myanmar visa takes about 7 days to process, but you can have it within 24 hours using urgent processing at an additional fee. The online Myanmar visa application takes about 10 minutes to complete since all you need is to enter your passport and itinerary details and your passport photo as described above.
How Much Does a Myanmar Visa Cost?
The Myanmar visa costs £74.95 per person for regular processing and an additional £15 for urgent processing. You can pay the fee via Visa, MasterCard, American Express or PayPal.
Extra tips
- Transit travellers can only enter Myanmar if their stay is less than 6 hours long.
- There is no visa on arrival in Myanmar as part of Covid-19 restrictions.
- All arriving visitors to Myanmar must present a negative Covid-19 test result and submit it to a temperature check. Remember to take the Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours before your departure to Myanmar.
- Government-arranged facilities or hotels provide a mandatory 7-day quarantine in Myanmar, so there is no option to quarantine in a location of your choice. Keep in mind that you have to pay for any food servings at these facilities.
- After your 7 days of government-facilitated quarantine on arrival in Myanmar, you must take a Covid-19 test at the cost of MMK 200,000 (about USD 121).
- Once you have a negative Covid-19 result, you must then undergo another 7 days of home quarantine in Myanmar, after which you can travel freely while wearing a face mask.
- The Myanmar e-visa is strictly for recreational visits, and volunteer activities are not allowed.
- If you would like to give back to the communities you visit in Myanmar, give your donations through registered charities instead of giving money to children or street people. This will avoid unintended consequences such as encouraging children to skip school and make their income from tourists.
- Another way to support local communities in Myanmar during your holiday is to visit different cities and towns and spend your money in as many diverse ways as possible. Eat at clean, reputable homegrown establishments, purchase handmade clothing and souvenirs, and focus on local businesses instead of internationally owned ventures.
- Most tourist resorts remain closed due to Covid-19, so you should consider alternative accommodations when planning your trip to Myanmar.
- Book your accommodation at least a month before your departure to Myanmar. This is particularly important as the country expect high touristnumbers after Covid-19 restrictions ease up.
- Choose a registered hotel in Myanmar, meaning accommodation that the Burmese Ministry of Tourism approves. You will provide your hotel address or hostel during your Myanmar visa application, and only registered accommodations meet tourism standards.
- Always confirm which pagodas in Myanmar allow visitors to enter or climb. Many pagodas have limiting regulations in some areas due to their cultural and religious significance to the people of Myanmar, and breaching the railings is severely frowned upon.
- If you plan to visit many temples, pagodas and other sacred compounds in Myanmar, wear slip-on shoes or sandals and clothing covering your shoulders and knees. This will save time in removing your footwear before entry and show a sign of respect for the religion of Myanmar.
- Ensure that you carry relatively new and undamaged bills to exchange into the local currency, the Myanmar kyat. Older bills may be acceptable at hotels and hostels but not at the airport or bank exchanges.
Plan Your Myanmar Holiday Today
As the Covid-19 situation changes in Myanmar, plan your holiday as you await the lifting of restrictions. Myanmar is an unforgettable destination that is rich with beaches, temples, tropical rainforest and wild nature.