Visa Information

Passport & Visa
A valid Passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors. A Tourist Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days. A Business Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. Visa on Arrival is granted on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
E-Visas are no longer available. Please contact your nearest Myanmar Embassy.
Click here for a list of Myanmar Embassies Worldwide.

Overland entry is permitted for Thai tourists with border passes and for third party tourists with visas at Tachileik, Three Pagoda Pass, Myawaddy and Kawthaung check points along the Myanmar-Thai border; and for Chinese tourists with border passes and for third party tourists with visas at Lweje, Nam Kham, Muse, Kyukoke, Kwanlong, and Mong Lar along the Myanmar-China border.

Customs
Jewellery, electrical goods and cameras must be declared at the airport. Antiques and archaeologically valuable items are not allowed to be taken out.

Duty free allowance: two bottles of liquor; two cartons of cigarettes; 100 cigars; 1.5 lb of tobacco; one pint bottle of perfume or eau de cologne.

Foreign Exchange
Visitors may bring in any amount of foreign currency but it must be declared to the customs if it exceeds US$2,000.

Currency
Myanmar currency is the Kyat, made up of 100 pyas. Currency notes come in the denominations of K1000, K500, K200, K100, K50, K20, K15, K10, K5, and K1. Visitors are not allowed to bring in or take out Kyats though they can bring in any amount of foreign currency. However, it must be declared to the customs if it exceeds US$2,000.

Easier Travel Within Myanmar
Effective 7/1/04: No more immigration or passport control at internal airports.

Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC)
NEW !!! The FEC requirement has been REMOVED !!! You no longer need to exchange $200 for FEC's upon arrival at the airport.

Health Issues
Travel Shots (Vaccinations)
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Myanmar, unless you are coming from an infected area. Normal travel "shots" are advised, contact your local health department or visit one of the following websites:

www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm

www.healthytraveler.com

Medicines
Bring enough of any prescription medicines you may be taking and make sure they are in the original prescription bottles with your name on it.

General medicines to bring:

As on any journey, it's a good idea to carry some aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar pain medication; an anti-diarrhea medication, an antihistamine, a cold medicine, band aids, antibiotic ointment, etc. Some anti-bacterial wipes are always useful for cleaning hands in out-of-the-way places.

Also ask your personal physician about which antibiotics to bring along and when to use them.

Many parts of Myanmar are malaria areas, so ask your doctor or local health department as to which prophylactic to have prescribed. It's also a good idea to bring along some bug repellent containing "Deet."

Or click here and check out this website : www.cdc.gov/travel/malinfo.htm

In case of any medical need during your visit, we will put you in contact with highly recommended physicians.

Other Health Issues:

Water: Never drink the tap water, only drink purified bottled water. Bottled water is available everywhere and is generally provided in your hotel room. Our guides always have a good supply of botled water with them.

Food : Food provided in major hotels in the major cities is usually safe to eat, but when in smaller towns and out-of-the-way places, or when in doubt, only eat hot cooked meals, and fruit that can be peeled (like bananas, pineapple, and oranges) It's a good idea to avoid eating food from street vendors or market stalls however tempting it is. The hygenic conditions at those places are questionable.

But do enjoy the famous Burmese cuisine! Burmese cuisine consists of rice or noodles served with a variety of side dishes. The Burmese curries tend to be less spicy-hot than Thai versions. A delicious variety of regional foods are a culinary delight! Don't be afraid to try something different. There are also penty of opportunities to have Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisine.

Airport Tax
A departure tax of US $10 payable in U.S. Currency or FEC's is required. No departure tax is required for domestic flights.

Time Zones
Myanmar is GMT + 6.5 hours, examples are:

It is 14 1/2 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Time

11 1/2 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time

6 1/2 hours ahead of the U.K.

4 1/2 hours behind Sydney, Australia

2 1/2 hours behind Japan

Electrical Power
230 Volts AC and also 50 HZ. You can use the 3-prong European styleplug or the 2-prong European style plug, and in a few hotels, the standard U.S. 2-prong plug.

Clothing
Casual and light clothing is recommended, preferably natural fibers year-round, but bring a sweater or jacket for the higher hill areas, particularly during the winter months (November through February). A windproof jacket is a good idea when touring Inle Lake during the winter months. A light raincoast is ESSENTIAL if you're visiting during the monsoon months (June through September).

Dress Code
Remember this is a Buddhist country and always dress modestly. Shorts and tank tops for men and women should be avoided. When entering religious site and pagodas, it is required to removes shoes and socks. It is also customary to remove your shoes when entering someone's home, so bring along shoes that are easy to slip on and off. You'll notice that the Burmese generally wear thong-style sandals as they are very convenient!

Shopping
Myanmar is a shopper's paradise as it is a country of artisans and cottage industries. Many visitors have found the need to buy an extra suitcase! There are unbelievable bargains in woodcarvings, hand woven silks and cottons, charming marionettes, laquerware, tapestries, stunning ethnic clothing, gems, jade, the list goes on...

When buying those famous Burmese pigeon blood rubies, gorgeous Burmese blue sapphires, any gem or jewelry, or hand wrought silver or gold, be sure to buy from a government authorized Myanmar Gem Shop where you will be given a voucher with a permit for export. When buying from unauthorized shops, you are buying stones and jewelry of a dubious quality that cannot be guaranteed.

Tipping
Tipping is widely practiced, so if a service charge is not included, tip for good service ! Be sure to ask your guide the appropriate amount. It's easy to forget the economic differences.

Security
Myanmar is not known for crime, and it's quite safe to travel everywhere. The area of the Myanmar/Thai border is one area to exercise some caution, and also any area that is crowded or on trains and buses (like anywhere in the world). Keep your Passport and money in a safe place when in these situations. In the unlikely event of a loss, it must be reported to the nearest police station and embassy immediately.

How to get there
Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport are the main gateways and there are regular flights to Yangon from Bangkok and Singapore. Also there are direct flights to Yangon from Abu Dhabi, Bandar Seri, Begawan, Bombay Calcutta, Shiang Mai, Chaka, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, London, Osaka, Paris and Taipei. The domestic airlines - Myanmar Airways, Yangon Airways, and Air Mandalay regularly fly from Yangon to Mandalay, Bagan, Heho, Thandwe, Kawthaung, and other tourist destinations.

Cruise ships call at Yangon Port with visa on arrival being granted with prior arrangement.