Burma visas made simple - A to do list
Confused about how to apply for a Burmese visa? It's actually surprisingly simple - just follow the steps below to find out which type of visa is relevant to you, and how to apply. Easy!
Do I need a visa to travel to Burma?
Almost definitely yes. There are only six countries for whom there are no visa requirements to travel to Burma: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines and Vietnam. For residents of these countries, the visa exemption period is 14 days.
What kind of visas are there?
Tourist eVisa
As of September 2014, if you are a resident of Europe, North America, South America, Asia or Australia, you will most probably be eligible for an eVisa.
Burma is planning to extend the eVisa service to other nationalities and entry points in the future as the process improves – and has already expanded the list on two occasions, in October 2014 and January 2015.
How to apply:
- Fill in your application online at http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/. You will need at least six months’ validity on your passport from your date of entry to Burma, and you will need to upload one colour passport photo (4.8 x 3.8 cm) taken within the last three months.
- Pay the visa fee of USD 50 (about £32) online. You will receive an acknowledgement email with an application reference code within one hour. Cards accepted are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or JCB.
- Receive your eVisa approval letter via email within three working days
- Print out your approval letter and bring with you to Burma. On arrival, proceed to immigration and present your passport and approval letter to get your passport stamped
N.B.
• Arrival must be via Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, or Mandalay Airport
• Payment is accepted by online card payment only
• If you plan to leave and re-enter Burma during your trip, you will need to apply for two separate visas for the two legs of your trip
• eVisas are valid for 90 days from the date of issue, so you may only apply for your eVisa as long as your trip falls within the next 90 days. (This does not mean you can stay in Burma for up to 90 days – the maximum stay allowed by the visa is 28 days)
Business eVisa
The Ministry of Immigration and Population of Myanmar recently announced that visitors will be able to apply for business eVisas from the 1st of July 2015.
Business eVisas cost USD 70 (about £45) and are valid for a stay of up to 70 days in Burma as opposed to 28 for a regular tourist visa.
To apply for a business eVisa, follow the steps for the tourist eVisa above. In addition to the requirements listed, you will need to provide a letter of invitation and your company registration (Certificate of Incorporation). Visit the ministry website or contact the embassy or consulate in your home country to find out more.
Full visa
Residents of some countries in Africa, Central America or the Middle East may need to apply for a full visa.
If you are planning to visit Burma overland from a neighbouring country or via a seaport, you will also need to apply for a full visa.
How to apply:
UK residents – see our instructions below
US residents – click here
Canada residents – click here
Australia residents – click here
UK residents can apply for a full Burmese visa by post or in person at the Myanmar Embassy in London. Your visa will be valid for a single entry visit of up to 30 days, and should take no longer than five days to process (postal order may take longer).
Address: The Myanmar Embassy, 19a Charles Street, London W1J 5DX
Applying in person
- Arrive at the embassy between 10.00-12.00 Monday to Friday – no appointment is needed. Bring the items listed above.
- Submit your documents and pay your visa fee. You will receive a receipt indicating when your visa will be ready for collection.
- Collect your visa.
What you need to bring:
• One completed application form (download this here)
• Your passport with at least six months’ validity from your date of entry to Burma
• Two passport photographs taken not more than one year ago
• Your visa fee of £14 in cash
Please note: A third party may submit relevant documents and collect your visa on your behalf
Applying by post
- Post your application to the Myanmar Embassy in London
- Receive your visa and passport by post
What you need to bring:
• One completed application form (download this here)
• Your passport with at least six months’ validity from your date of entry to Burma
• Two passport photographs taken not more than one year ago
• Pre-paid special delivery envelope for the return of your passport
• Visa fee of £14 in the form of a postal order (the is some indication that cheques may be accepted, but for the sake of certainty we recommend using postal order only)
Please note: More than one visa application can be submitted together in the same envelope, and more than one passport may be returned to the applicant in the same prepaid envelope
Visa on arrival (VOA)
Visa on arrival MAY be available for citizens of certain countries, but various sources have reported that this process is either no longer available or not reliable. We do not recommend that anybody rely on this method to obtain their Burma visa.
If you are unsure as to which visa applies to you, check with the local embassy or consulate in your home country.
