Myanmar Travel Visa

** The issuance of Visa On Arrival, without having to contact travel agent in advance, at the Yangon and Mandalay International Airports is suspended effectively from September 1, 2010 until further notice.**

Although the government imposed some restrictions on the visa on arrival processing for the foreign tourists, tourists can still obtain the visa at the Myanmar embassies at the respective countries. Please see the addresses here;

http://myanmartravel.org/embassies.html

There are 2 types of entry visas; E.V.T (F.I.T) visa and E.V.T (package tour) visa. Leisure travelers are issued the tourist visa, which is valid for four weeks (28 days) and is readily available through most Myanmar embassies or consulates abroad. A business visa is usually issued for a 28-days and extendable for one year. At the embassy in Bangkok, you can usually obtain a visa the day after you apply for it. The simple application process requires two passport-size photos and around US$20 for the visa fee.

Visa Extensions

Although some Myanmar embassies abroad might say tourist visa extensions are not permitted, once in Myanmar you can usually extend your visa up to 14 days beyond the original 28-day validity, and then extend again for an additional 14 days once the first extension has expired. The type of permit issued for such extensions is called a 'stay permit'. To be granted an extension. your passport must be valid for six months after the end of your planned stay in Myanmar. Of course, this is at the discretion of the Department of Immigration and Manpower in Yangon. The usual procedure requires five photos plus payment of a US$36 fee for each 14-day extension. Allow two or three days for the extension to go through. Keep in mind that policies concerning vis extensions may change frequently.

If you overstay your visa by a day or two due to unavoidable transport difficulties, there is usually little hassle at Yangon or Mandalay international airports, but be prepared to part with some cash for the time you overstayed. Usual fine (or fee) is US$3 per day. Be sure to allow yourself some more time at the airport to complete the paperwork involved or you might miss your flight.

Visa on Arrival (Currently Active)

Visa on arrival (VOA) program is intended for visitors who do not have enough time to apply to a Myanmar embassy or consulate or with no Myanmar embassy or consulate present in their home country. This type of visa requires to contact a local travel agent to get things done in orderly manner.