Myanmar Employment Visa – Duration and Documents needed

Myanmar hosts a good number of indigenous and foreign companies that need the services of skilled workers in the country. So foreigners with a Myanmar employment visa can quickly secure a job there. But, of course, the position you will get depends on your skill.

According to the Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security, the number of indigenous skilled workers to fill in the numerous job vacancies is extremely low. This gives skilled foreign workers the opportunity for high-paid jobs and managerial positions in the country.

However, you should know the application procedures and documents required to obtain a Myanmar employment visa. We have provided you with detailed information in this guide. So relax while you read through it.

Facts about Myanmar 

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country located in Southeast Asia. It borders Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. It has a population of over 52 million people. Myanmar’s capital is Naypyidaw.

Myanmar’s economy is one of the least developed in the world. The country’s GDP per capita was just $1,185 in 2018; according to the World Bank, Myanmar is heavily reliant on agriculture, which accounts for more than 60% of employment but only around a third of GDP. Manufacturing and services are also important sectors of the economy. Tourism has been growing in recent years but is still relatively small compared to other industries. The country has an unemployment rate of 2.7% as of 2021; it is relatively low though it increased by 1.12% in 2020. It might be due to the recent coronal virus pandemic.

What is a Myanmar employment visa? 

It is a legal document that allows foreigners to visit Myanmar to work and get paid for a specific duration. It is valid for a stay of up to seventy days from the date of arrival to the country. You have the privilege to extend your stay in Myanmar if the nature of the job requires more time.

In addition, the Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security will issue you an employment registration card. You must hold this card to enable you to work without harassment from the Myanmar immigration officers.

Documents required for Myanmar employment visa application 

Here are the documents you should attach to your Myanmar employment visa application form for the embassy or other relevant agencies to consider your application for processing.)

• A completed Myanmar employment visa application form: You can download the visa application form from the official website and then fill it out with genuine information.
• Two copies of your recent passport photograph: The background must be white-colored, and other specifications should meet UK Passport photos standards
• Original traveling passport with a validity of six months or more
• Letter of employment from a Myanmar company or organization: You should attach this if you have secured a job already, but if you have not gotten a job, you don’t need this.

Note that the embassy may require additional documents like the ones listed below:

• Proof of accommodation like hotel booking or your host residential address to be you have a place to stay in Myanmar
• Medical clearance certificate: This can be a vaccination card if you are from an epidemic country. A medical fitness certificate to be sure you are medically to adapt to the Myanmar environment
• A flight ticket or reservation to prove your level of commitment or readiness to visit Myanmar
• Proof of financial capacity to meet all your financial expenses in the country before you start working to earn money for survival

How to apply for a Myanmar employment visa

If you are to apply for an employment visa from the Myanmar embassy in your country, you should follow the steps listed below:

• Locate the Myanmar embassy or its consulate in your country.
• You should schedule an appointment date for submission of your employment visa application and possible interview with the consular officer. You can also ask the officer questions on any step(s) you are not clear with
• The next step is to pay the employment visa application fee and obtain your payment receipt. You can pay cash at the embassy or use UK postal order.
• Arrange the documents listed above and your payment receipt for the application fee in a self-address envelope. You can arrange the additional documents in a separate envelope and take them in case the officer demands any.

Visit the embassy on your scheduled date to submit your application parcel. The consular officer will check it to ensure all the documents are complete. If there is a need for additional documents, you will be informed. The consular officer may interview you immediately. The interview section usually entails questions related to visiting Myanmar, the employment visa, your level of preparation, and possible reasons why you should be issued a Myanmar employment visa. The officer will take your biometric capture to mark the end of the submission process for your employment visa application at the embassy.

Lastly, you should depart the embassy and wait for up to ten days while the embassy considers, process, and make a final decision on your application.

Note that if the Myanmar embassy in your country permits you to send application credentials via email, ensure your documents are in PDF form and the visa fee receipt.

Myanmar employment visa duration, processing time, and application fee

You can stay in Myanmar for seventy days with your Myanmar employment visa without any legal breach. It will help if you gain employment in the country within this period. If you wish to stay longer than three months because of your work, you can apply for an extension with the relevant documents. You will get your employment visa application processed in five days if everything is in order. Nonetheless, if you send your documents via postal service, the processing time will be longer than five days. Also, if your information is not easy to verify, you need to be patient because it could take up to a month to process. You should budget fifty dollars to pay for your application fee. You must pay this money because the embassy will not consider your application without it.

Myanmar visa exemption countries 

Several countries enjoy visa-free entry to Myanmar for a specific duration, either for tourism or business purpose. Your country may be among the countries listed below. Eventually, your country makes a list; you can visit the country without a Myanmar visa and then apply for an employment visa or work permit. But if you do not enjoy the visa-free, you have nothing to worry about because this guide will help you to achieve your aim and objective.

Fourteen days visa-free countries.

You can visit Myanmar without a visa for business or tourism activities as a citizen from the countries below:

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Philippines
• Thailand (only if arriving by air)
• Vietnam

Note the citizens must hold their national passports.

Thirty days visa-exempt countries. 

You will be able to travel to Myanmar for thirty days for tourism purposes if you are from any of the countries listed below:

• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Macao
• South Korea
• Singapore

Note that Singaporeans enjoy this privilege for business purposes too.

Suppose you are on a diplomatic assignment or hold a valid traveling passport from the countries listed below. You will also enjoy a thirty-day stay in Myanmar.

• Belarus
• Brazil
• Cambodia
• China
• North Korea
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Mongolia
• Philippines
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Vietnam

 Ninety days visa-exempt countries.                 

You can access Myanmar for up to ninety days without a visa if you are on a diplomatic mission. If you also hold a valid passport from any countries below:

• Bangladesh
• Colombia
• India
• Israel
• Japan (for holders of diplomatic passports only)
• South Korea
• Morocco
• Nepal
• Russia
• Serbia

Also Read: Myanmar Transit Visa – Requirements, Fees, and Application

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 Is Myanmar a safe country? 

There are areas in the country that are relatively safe for visitors. They are mostly tourist sites such as the Mergui Archipelago, Yangon, Kiyakto, Inle Lake, and Hsipaw. However, cities like Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan needs travel advisory because of the persistent unrest in these areas.

How long can foreigners stay in Myanmar? 

Foreigners can stay in Myanmar for up to twenty-eight days, provided they have a valid passport and visa. Those who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension at least seven days before their visa expires. Extensions are usually granted for an additional seven days but can be extended for up to three months in exceptional circumstances. After three months, foreigners must apply for a new visa to remain in Myanmar.

How many hours can I work in Myanmar? 

In Myanmar, the maximum number of hours an employee is allowed to work is forty-eight hours per week or eight hours per day. It includes overtime hours. Employees who work more than forty-eight hours per week are entitled to receive overtime pay at a rate of one and half times their regular payment plans.

 Can I study in Canada from Myanmar?

Yes, you can study in Canada from Myanmar. Many schools offer programs for international students. You will be able to find one that meets your needs. You will need to get a student visa before visiting Canada to study.

Conclusion  

Applying for a Myanmar employment visa is a straightforward process. The duration of the employment visa is usually three months but can be extended to 6 months. The documents needed are a passport, a recent photo, a CV, and a letter of invitation from the employer.