Published: June 7, 2021
Updated: March 21, 2022

Background

Many foreigners have expressed interest in returning to Myanmar and subsequently contacted FocusCore Myanmar to receive an update on the process and approval required to return.

Update

FocusCore is pleased to confirm that if the foreign applicant wishing to return to Myanmar has a valid visa (issued after February 1 2021), there is no need to apply for MOFA approval when returning to Myanmar.

For example:
If you have a valid Visa till December 31 2022, you don’t need to request MOFA approval if you return to Myanmar after April 16. You can book directly with the respective airline.

However, if you do not have a visa, new applicants must apply to MOFA for approval to obtain a Visa at the respective Embassy as usual.

Lastly, once MOLIP’s E-Visa Website is open, the applicant can submit a request online to obtain a new Visa. We expect the site to be available on the first week of April 2022. Notwithstanding the re-opening of the MOLIPO website, below are the steps for foreigners to follow if they do not have a visa and wish to return to Myanmar.

We understand the process and documentation required (set out below) to be as follows:

1. Step 1, the applicant will need to submit a request letter to their line Ministry in Myanmar. For example, if the applicant works for a foreign-owned services company, they would need to submit a letter of request to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (“DICA”). If they work for a bank or insurance company, then the request would need to be submitted to the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”)
2. Step 2, the respective line Ministry will request clearance from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (“MOLIP”) whether the applicant is on the denylist (blacklist)
3. Step 3, MOLIP will inform and send the blacklist clearance to the line Ministry. The line ministry will prepare the request letter for the applicant to enter Myanmar and submit to MOFA and the blacklist clearance letter from MOLIP.
4. Step 4, MOFA will then send the Embassy the final approval letter.
5. Step 5, the applicant will then need to submit a letter of request to the Myanmar Embassy in the country where they are currently staying. Upon receipt of the MOFA approval letter to the Embassy, the respective consular department will issue the 70 day single entry, business visa. (Please note that this will need to be extended in Myanmar if the foreigner will remain in Myanmar for 70 days or more. See below *Stay permit application.)

Please note that the authorities will not share the approval letter sent from MOFA in Myanmar to the Embassy in your country. However, upon approval, a case number can be requested if needed.

Steps 2, 3 and 4 are managed internally within the respective Ministries in Myanmar. The normal processing time will take approximately four to six weeks, five weeks is normal.

As you can appreciate, whilst this is the position and procedures at the time of writing, procedures and timing could change at short notice so we would encourage you to keep in contact with FocusCore Myanmar for the latest updates.

Documents to be submitted

The returning foreigner will need to prepare and submit the following documents to their nearest Myanmar Embassy and their line Ministry in Myanmar:

a) Request letter from the sponsoring company to the applicant’s line ministry
b) Cover letter addressed to the Myanmar Embassy

Upon approval, the applicant can then submit a request at their nearest Myanmar Embassy and apply for a 70-day single entry business visa.

We can, however, assist with document preparation, drafting and the extension of stay permit, FRC registration and renewal and updating of Form C in Myanmar if and when required. (See below for further information).

Extending your Visa in Myanmar.

Pursuant to the Registration of Foreigners Act (1940) and the Registration of Foreigners Rules (1948), foreigners who work and reside in Myanmar for more than (90) consecutive days are required to apply for a Foreign Registration Certificate (“FRC”), Long-Term Stay Permit (“SP”) and Multiple Journey Special Re-entry VISA (“MJSRV”).

The initial application will be valid for six (6) months from the expiry date of your arrival visa, subsequent renewals will be valid for twelve (12) months and then renewed every twelve (12) months thereafter. The processing time after submission of all documents will take approximately seven (7) weeks and you must surrender your passport during the processing time and cannot travel outside of Myanmar. If you must travel, please let us know in advance.

Important information pertaining to FORM C: The FORM C is a document that is used to register foreigners at their place of residence with the Government. When the employees sign their lease and move into their rented accommodation, the landlord must register them as a tenant with the local authority. The landlord will then submit the passport and lease agreement to the township officer to obtain the FORM C. According to the official regulations, the FORM C must be applied for within 24 hours upon arrival to Myanmar. FocusCore can assist with the process on behalf of the applicant’s landlord, however, by law, this is the ultimate responsibility of the landlord. If you need our assistance, our service fee will be USD 150 plus 5% Commercial Tax.
Stay Permit Application service

If you have any questions about this, please contact yingying.aye@focuscorecs.com and if you would like to receive our fee proposal outlining the government and FocusCore’ services fees for assistance with any of the above.