I was in Myanmar at the end of 2013 where I spent Christmas and New Year’s there. In this article, I will talk to you about the Visa in Myanmar.
Key points to remember
The Myanmar e-visa is applied for online at evisa.moip.gov.mm for about 50 USD. Official processing time: 3 working days, in practice 24 to 48 hours. It allows a single entry for 28 days, valid for 90 days after issuance.
The visa for Myanmar or Burma
There are several ways to obtain it either at the nearest Myanmar embassy to you or online by applying for the E-visa.
When I went to Myanmar in 2013, it was not possible to do it online and I went through an agency that charged me 25 euros plus the visa price, which corresponds to the labor costs for obtaining the visa at the embassy.
Applying for an e-visa in Myanmar
The documents you need to have or bring are the basic documents:
Did you know?
Myanmar was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to establish an e-visa system in 2014. Before that, you had to go through the embassy in Paris or Bangkok, with delays of several weeks.
- A valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
- A color ID photo.
- A means of payment on the Internet.
Characteristics of the E-visa in Myanmar
The E-visa in Myanmar is valid for 90 days after the date of issue.
It lasts 28 days after your arrival date in Myanmar.
It is non-refundable.
After paying for the visa, you will receive a receipt one hour later in your email inbox.
It can take 3 days to obtain the visa.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official site | evisa.moip.gov.mm |
| Price | 50 USD (tourism) |
| Processing time | 3 working days |
| Duration of stay | 28 days |
| Validity after issuance | 90 days |
| Type of entry | Single |
If you are going in backpacker mode, at least book the first few days to provide the address of a hotel where you will be staying.
How to apply for a visa online for Myanmar?
There is an official website where you must apply for a visa in Myanmar: http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/, this is where you must apply for the visa and read the necessary information for the visa application. The information I am writing dates from the time I write the article but there are constant changes regarding visas. You just need to refer to the website.
You can enter with an E-visa at the following points:
By air:
- Yangon Airport
- Mandalay International Airport
- Nay Pyi Taw International Airport
By land:
- at the border post: Tachileik Land Border (border with Thailand in Chang Rai province)
- at the border post: Myawaddy Land Border (border with Thailand in Tak province)
- at the border post: Kawthaung Land Border (border with Thailand in Ranong province)
These are currently the possible entry points with the E-visa and of course there will be other entry points but you need to check the sites for updates.
My experience
I submitted my application on a Tuesday evening, I had the PDF of my visa in my mailbox on Thursday morning. The only trap is the photo: exact dimensions (4.6 x 3.8 cm) and strict white background. Retake it if you are not sure.
The first photo is Myanmar and the second is southern Myanmar and Thailand.
Why apply for the visa rather than going to the Embassy or using an agency:
- You do not have to go to the embassy, you can do it from home.
- There is less paperwork.
- It saves you from going through an agency and paying extra fees.
Apply for the E-visa on the website:
Here are the steps:
Advantages
- 100% online
- Fast processing time (24-72h)
- No need to send your passport
- Credit card payment accepted
- Paper receipt is sufficient upon arrival
Weak points
- 50 USD non-refundable even in case of refusal
- Photo with very strict dimensions
- Validity of only 90 days after issuance
- Only Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports
Be careful to follow the rules for the photo.
Then you only need to pay.
You will receive a receipt within an hour and you will have your e-visa within 1 to 3 days. If you have not heard back yet, you can even go to the status inquiry which is the “third tab on the site”. You must enter your passport or your visa application number that you have with your receipt to see the status of the visa application.
Visa application at the Embassy
Applying for a visa at the embassy is simple but they require you to go there in person. The price is the same for an e-visa or for the visa applied for at the embassy, I don’t know about you but if you want to waste your time, go to the embassy, I prefer either to go through an agency or to do the visa online.
The classic trap to avoid
Make sure you access the official site evisa.moip.gov.mm and not an intermediary site that charges you 100€ for a service you can do yourself in 15 minutes. Parasite sites are numerous on the first page of Google.
If you want to go to the embassy or call them for more information about the visa, here are the addresses and numbers.
Embassy in Paris:
ADDRESS: NO. 60, RUE DE COURCELLES 75008 PARIS
Embassy in Bangkok:
A bit more about Burma:
Other readings that follow the same logic: our feedback on Burma / Myanmar which sets the tone, the practical guide on Burma / reviews for concrete details, and finally 2013 Germany Bali if you want to extend the reflection.
Burma is a country that I really enjoyed and I felt like I had gone back several decades. It is a country that is currently opening up a lot to tourists and it will soon change very quickly. When I was there, for example, there were very few smartphones and people were still using landline phones.
There are many hidden treasures in Burma, unforgettable places, notably Bagan, the Buddhist temples, Inle Lake.
It is still a destination little visited by tourists.
If you want more information about Burma:
How much does the e-visa for Burma cost?
50 USD for the tourist visa, payable online by credit card.
What is the processing time for the Burmese e-visa?
Officially 3 working days, often 24 to 48 hours in practice. Still plan at least a week before departure.
Do you need to print the e-visa?
Yes, print the PDF received by email. You present it upon arrival at the airport.
