Myanmar Suspends On-Arrival Tourist Visa Ahead of Planned Election

The Myanmar government will temporarily suspend on-arrival tourist visa, effective September 1st, at Yangon and Mandalay international airports.

The move is taken to assess the the number of tourists and the revenue during the four-month period of establishment of visas on arrival, according to sources from Yangon International Airport.

In the meantime, the normal tourist visa issuance will continue, which takes more than two weeks to get the entry visa. There could be further screening of applicants along with the usual procedure. The new measure is expected to last at least 2 months until after the planned election date of Novemeber 7.

The number of tourists has swarmed since visas on arrival was first introduced a couple of months ago. There are several tourists even during the rainy season. Hotels and travel agencies are fully booked for the coming dry season. Now they may have to cancel reservations or defer until further notice.