Myanmar Visa Information
For the entry into Myanmar, most foreign national visitors require a visa. Visa-free travel for 14 days is permitted for Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos passport holders. Other countries passport holders may get visa at Embassies or Consulates around the world or apply online Myanmar e-visa. You can find out the full list of eligible citizens of countries for Myanmar e-visa here.
E-visas are currently valid for entry at Myanmar’s three main international airports: Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Overland travel to Myanmar via the Thai-Myanmar border points of Mae Sai/Tachileik, Mae Sot/Myawaddy and Ranong/Kawthaung only (e-visa is not valid for China, India or other Thai entry points). Due to the sensitive political situation in some border regions, entry and exit via land borders is restricted; there are four Thailand border points that do not need permission for crossings, but China and India require special permits.
Tourist visas are valid for 28 days and can be extended by a further 14 days at a cost of US$3 per day (plus a one-off $3 administration fee). If you overstay, you might encounter some difficulties booking travel and/or hotels in your overstay period, as not all service staff are aware of the overstay allowance.
A single entry tourist visa will typically cost around US$50. Depending on which country you are applying from, the application procedures may vary, but it is usually a simple process. You must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your departure from Myanmar.
If you are not getting your Myanmar visa before you leave your country of origin, one of the most likely places might be Thailand, either in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The process in process in Bangkok is straightforward:
Please note that visa on arrival for Tourists in Myanmar is no longer available.
Customs and Formalities on Arrival
All valuable items such as jewelry, cameras and foreign currency in excess of 10,000 US$ must be declared upon arrival and on the currency declaration forms. Travellers should have completed these forms during the flight to Yangon and should submit them upon arrival. No Myanmar currency must be imported or exported.
Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one liter of wine or spirit. Export of Buddha images, gemstones and antiques without an official receipt is prohibited. The proof of purchase must always be kept for those bought in the country.
The immigration procedure is rapid, but sometimes you must wait a little longer for the luggage.
Domestic Flights
Air transportation will be arranged with private airlines either Myanmar National Airline or Air Mandalay or Air Bagan or Air KBZ or Yangon Airways or Asian Wings or Mann Yadanarpon.
Baggage allowance on all domestic flights is limited to 20kg per person. Excess luggage will be on clients account or can be left in Yangon hotels and collect on the way back from upcountry (only if they have second call in Yangon)
All flights are non-smoking. It is possible that domestic airlines often change their flight schedules at the very last minute. In such circumstances, Beyond BoundariesCo,ltd. is obliged to make adjustments on sightseeing program according to these changes. We try our best to keep you updated of flight changes prior to your departure.
Health Requirements
Although vaccinations are not mandatory, visitors are recommended for those against hepatitis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and typhoid and suggested to bring Insect repellant and sun protection cream along. In the remote trekking areas, it is necessary to have stand-by medication against malaria. Only purified bottled water is highly recommended for the whole trip.
Food
The staple food, Rice served with a variety of dishes is the everyday meal in Myanmar. The main dish is the curry of meat and fried vegetable or salads and soup are usually accompanied. Meat curries are generally in rich gravy of tomato, onion, chili, garlic, ginger and fish paste. Myanmar, Chinese, Thai and Indian style restaurants can be found in major cities but European cuisine is available only in major hotels and some outstanding restaurants in Yangon.
Restricted Areas
Although most parts of Myanmar are open to tourists, government permission is still necessary to access the particular remote and border areas. For the process of applying permission to such areas, at least one month ahead of arrival is necessary.
Transportation
Beyond Boundaries Myanmar arranges the best available cars and buses for each and every single booking. However, air-conditioned vehicles may not always be available in remote areas and travellers are advised that the quality of roads vary throughout Myanmar from reasonable to bad.
Telecommunications in Myanmar
MOBILE PHONES: Now a day, SIM cards sold by the Telenor, Ooredoo and MPT (Myanmar Post & Telecommunications) networks are generally available at Ks 1,500. Cards work on a top-up basis, with Ks 1000, Ks 3000, Ks 5000 and Ks 10,000 cards available. Ooredoo and Telenor became operational in 2014 and networks offer 4G coverage. SIM cards and top-ups can be bought at almost everywhere in larger towns, cities and tourist sites.
Foreigners need to have photocopies of their passport photo page and Myanmar visa page, as well as one passport photo. SIM cards are 3G mobile data enabled and standard SIM and micro SIM cards are available.
INTERNET: You can find an internet café or hotel with wifi even in remote locations. However, internet speeds can be very slow, especially in rural areas. You can also find free wifi at many restaurants and bars. Due to bandwidth restrictions, internet speeds can change markedly according to demand through the day.
Myanmar Currency and Exchange
The local currency in Myanmar is kyat abbreviated as Ks or MMK. Kyat comes in notes of value Ks 50, Ks 100, Ks 200, Ks 500, Ks 1000, Ks 5000 and Ks 10,000. US Dollars are widely exchangeable into Kyats and Euros are now accepted only at some of the up rating hotels in the main cities of Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. Therefore, we advise you to bring enough amount of the most favorable US currency. We strongly recommend you to bring along USD notes which are new and in good condition. Old notes with "small heads" and registration number starts with “CB” and notes with torn off corners, rips or scrawls are not accepted. The use of international bank and credit cards to pay for goods and services at outlets in Myanmar is currently limited but, as with so much in the country, the situation is changing fast; in Yangon and some of the more popular spots around the country, cards can be used at point of sale – although a significant transaction charge may be incurred. Traveller’s cheques are not generally accepted in Myanmar. Currently Visa, Mastercard (Maestro/Cirrus), China’s Union Pay and Japan’s JCB can be used; the biggest providers of compatible ATMs are CB (Co-operative) Bank and KBZ (Kanbawza) Bank. Others include AGD Bank, AYA Bank and United Amara Bank. For ATM cash withdrawals, there is a K5000 transaction fee, and a withdrawal limit of K300,000 per transaction. The use of ATMs in Myanmar is sometimes restricted by internet failure.
Airport Tax
Airport tax for international departure is USD 10,- and it costs USD 2,- for domestic flights which are subject to change without prior notice. These taxes are usually added in the airfares for both international and domestic airfare.
Climate
Myanmar has tropical climate with three different seasons: Rainy Season from June to September (around 30’ C), cool season from October to February (around 25’ C) and hot season from March to May (around & over 35’ C). Generally, it is hot and humid, but cooler in hill regions. The best time to visit Myanmar is from the end of October to middle of April. However it is also great to see the country in rainy season with fewer tourists and for better promotion price. Although Yangon and lower part of the country have a lot of rain during Rainy and late summer, upper part of the country is rather dry the whole year.
Local Time
Local time is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Tipping
Tipping becomes widely common in Myanmar today although Burmese people use to be very helpful and supportive to tourists without expecting anything in return. There is no exact limit but it depends on the generosity and the satisfaction of their services.
Shopping in Myanmar
Large varieties of souvenirs such as Lacquer wares, silver ware, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silk and cotton, gems, tapestries, traditional puppets are available throughout the whole country. Export of antiques and archeological products are prohibited. Visitors should buy Jewellery and handicrafts only from the registered shops who issue official receipt which is needed for taking the purchased items along with you on your departure.
Power supply
Standard electrical current throughout the country is 220-230 Volts. Power cuts and fluctuation occur frequently. You are advised to bring a torch or flashlight and multi-purpose adapter for your electrical items. Most of the hotels have reliable power back up apart from some in remote areas.
Clothing
Bringing light loose fitting cotton clothes and pale color will be definitely an advantage in this tropical country. Sandals and shoes which are easy to put on and take off are suggested to wear for all visits to pagodas and temples. It is very important that knees and shoulders are covered and ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places. Hats and sunglasses are also strongly recommended. Warm clothes are advised to bring if travelling to Inle Lake and Shan Hills
Insurance
We strongly advised all our clients to obtain insurance for medical expenses, accidents, full provision for evacuation, baggage loss, and cancellation of holiday from your own insurance company before leaving home.
Language and Religion
The official language is Myanmar while there are many different ethnic groups with different dialects. English is communicative throughout the whole country. Theravada Buddhism is the major religion and it makes up 89% of the population although Christianity, Islamic and Hinduism are practiced among the minority.
General Suggestions for Visitors
As a devoted Buddhist country, Visitors are requested to dress appropriately when visiting pagodas, temples, monasteries, religious buildings. Shoes and socks must always be removed before entering such places. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation is forbidden. Please ask for the permission before taking photographs of individuals, especially with tribal people. Find out more about dos and don'ts for tourists in Myanmar.