Myanmar Visa – Fees, Requirements, Application and Types
There are very few countries whose citizens have visa-free entry to Myanmar. This could be because Myanmar has an excellent reciprocal visa relationship with them or because they are Myanmar’s regional neighbors. Either way, Myanmar demands that foreign nationals from most countries must obtain a visa to enter the country.
Because of this, many types of visas and permits are available to foreign nationals who must obtain a Myanmar visa, and each depends on the purpose and duration of the visit.
Do you need a Myanmar visa? To find out if you are among the foreign nationals who must obtain a visa to enter Myanmar, it is crucial to determine the purpose of your intended visit. This article will tell you all you need to know about the Myanmar Visa – Fees, Requirements, Application, and Types.
What is a Myanmar Visa?
A Myanmar Visa is an official document that authorizes citizens of eligible countries to enter the country. Depending on the country and the visa type, you can obtain it through an online process (eVisa), a Visa on Arrival (VoA), or a consular visa.
Types of Myanmar Visas
There are many types of visas to Myanmar, but the purpose and duration of your visit and the country you are applying from will determine the type of visa you will apply for.
Tourist Visa
A tourist visa is given to eligible foreign nationals to enter the country for sightseeing and to stay there for 28 days.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is for travelers who enter the country as a stopover to a third country, probably for a few hours or days.
Business Visa
The Business Visa is designed for people who want to enter Myanmar for business. It can either be a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa. As a single-entry visa, the holder can only enter and exit the country once, for a period no longer than 70 days. With a multiple-entry visa, the holder can enter and exit Myanmar multiple times.
Education Visa
The Education Visa allows its holder to study in the country. It can be a single-entry education visa, giving its holder a maximum stay of 90 days. Also, the multiple-entries education visa allows its holder to study in the country for one year. The student may exit and enter the country without renewing the visa during this time.
Work Visa
Myanmar’s Work Visa allows its holder to enter and work in the country for a maximum of 70 days.
Religious Visa
The Religious Visa for Myanmar is a single-entry or multiple-entry visa obtained by foreign nationals who travel to the country for a religious event. For the single entry, a holder can stay in Myanmar for a maximum of 70 days and cannot re-enter with the same visa. However, a multiple-entry visa holder can leave and re-enter Myanmar many times for a maximum duration of 70 days for each visit.
Social Visa
This visa is granted to people who want to visit their friends or go on an exchange program. In addition, you can use the social visa for commercial activities or work purposes. It can be both a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa. With a single-entry social visa, a holder cannot re-enter Myanmar after exiting. Still, a holder can leave and re-enter the country many times with a multiple-entry social visa.
Journalist Visa
Media professionals can obtain a Journalist Visa if they want to visit Myanmar to cover a news story or make a documentary. However, the visa does not permit its holder to remain in the country after 28 days and is not renewable.
Crew Visas
There are single entry and multiple entry crew visas for crew members who must stay in Myanmar as a stopover to a third country or change their chip or aircraft. For a single entry crew visa, a holder can stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days, but a multiple entry crew visa is valid for two years, and a holder must not leave the country after 90 days.
Visa for Officials
Single and multiple entry visas for officials of foreign governments, international organizations, and their families, are given for a maximum of 70 days. With the single entry visa for officials, a holder cannot return to Myanmar with the same visa after leaving. Still, with a multiple entry visa for officials, a holder can exit and re-enter Myanmar as often as possible, for 3, 6, or 12 months. However, a stay cannot exceed 70 days.
Visa for Workshops, Seminars, or Research
This type of visa has a maximum stay of 28 days but can only be renewed if there are research activities that may exceed the period of stay.
Courtesy Visa for diplomats and officials
This visa does not have a specific duration as it depends on the function performed by the diplomats and officials who are holders of the visa.
How much does a Myanmar visa cost?
Each Myanmar visa type has its own standard cost. They are as follows:
- Tourist Visa (eVisa) 50 USD
- Tourist Visa (Express) 56 USD
- Tourist Visa (consular) 40 USD
- Business Visa (eVisa) – 70 USD
- Business Visa (single entry) – 50 USD
- Business Visa (multiple entries three months) 200 USD
- Business Visa (multiple entries six months) – 400 USD
- Business Visa (multiple entries 12 months) – 600 USD
- Transit Visa – 20 USD
- Work Visa – 50 USD
- Journalist Visa – 40 USD
- Social Visa (single entry) – 50 USD
- Social Visa (multiple entry three months) – 150 USD
- Social Visa (multiple entry six months) – 300 USD
- Social Visa (multiple entry 12 months) – 450 USD
- Religious Visa (single entry) – 50 USD
- Religious Visa (multiple entry 3 months) – 150 USD
- Religious Visa (multiple entry six months) – 300 USD
- Religious Visa (multiple entry 12 months) – 450 USD
- Official visa (single entry) – 50 USD
- Official visa (multiple entries three months) – 200 USD
- Official visa (multiple entries six months) – 400 USD
- Official visa (multiple entries 12 months) – 600 USD
- Education visa (single entry) – 50 USD
- Education visa (multiple entries one year) – 160 USD
Requirements for a Myanmar Visa
Requirements for Myanmar visas differ according to their types and the nationality of the applicant, but here is a list of general conditions:
1. A passport valid for at least six months
2. Photocopies of the information page of your passport
3. Two recent passport-size photos
4. A Myanmar Visa Application Form
5. Flight itinerary
6. Recommendation Letter from a registered company in your country
7. Invitation Letter from a registered company in Myanmar
8. Proof of Myanmar Visa fee paid
9. Other documents required by the embassy
How to apply for a Myanmar Visa
Certain countries can obtain a Tourist or Business visa online (eVisa) or a visa on arrival to the country (VoA). However, other countries must obtain a visa by visiting the Myanmar embassy or its representative in their country of residence.
Myanmar eVisa
- Select your visa type. This can be a tourist or business visa
- Fill out the visa application form for Myanmar. Remember to input correct and complete information.
- Scan and upload a valid picture of yourself
- Scan and upload copies of your required documents
- Pay for your visa
Myanmar Visa on Arrival (VOA)
- You must first fill out an application for a visa on arrival. At the visa issuing counters of either the Yangon, Mandalay, or Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, present the application form and the required documents
- Pay the visa fees and wait for the immigration officers to decide on your application.
Other visa types for Myanmar
If you are not eligible for a Voa or an eVisa, you must apply for a visa at the Myanmar embassy in your home country.
- Find out if you need to make an appointment at the embassy
- Submit the required documents and pay the visa fees
- Wait for your visa to be processed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the processing time for a Myanmar Visa?
It depends on the type of visa you are eligible for. Myanmar eVisa takes about three days to process. You can get a VoA at the Myanmar airport. The consular visa takes about two weeks or more to process, but that depends on the country you are applying from.
What is the validity period of a Myanmar visa?
A Myanmar visa’s validity depends on the type of visa you apply for. For instance, a tourist visa only gives you 28 days, and a business visa gives you 70 days in Myanmar.
Can I extend my Myanmar Visa?
Not all Myanmar visas can be extended. For example, a tourist visa cannot be extended, as well as a Journalist visa, but a visa for research can be extended.
Is it safe to visit Myanmar?
Despite the past unrest in the country, Myanmar is a safe place to visit. However, like in every other country, it is important to be careful when moving about at night. Make sure to stay in designated tourist places, and always take note of travel advisories.
What should I know before visiting Myanmar?
- Myanmar disapproves of drug and alcohol use, and the culprit may be imprisoned if caught.
- Public display of affection is not acceptable.
- If you want to be accepted by the locals, extending your right hand and holding your forearm with the other when receiving something from them is respectful.
Conclusion
Now that you know about the Myanmar visa types, it’s time to take the same step and prepare to visit the country. As long as you keep the rules, avoid some restive areas, and respect the culture of Myanmar, you will enjoy your trip to the country.
Here are more articles from the Work Study Visa website.
