Any Foreign National who wishes to enter Myanmar, must obtain a visa unless he or she is a citizen of one of the eligible visa exempt countries (see below). All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Registration for Foreign Nationals & Long Term Stay Permits

Myanmar law decrees that a foreigner wishing to live in Myanmar long term, must apply for a Foreigner’s Registration Certificate and Long Term Stay Permit. Long term is defined as over 90 days.

Without these documents a foreign national must leave Myanmar after a period of 70 days. This is also detailed in the rules applicable to holders of a business visa.

There are exceptions. For example, if the foreign national is from one of the following countries, they do not need to hold a visa: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. A visa free agreement on 30 days has been signed with Singapore and will come into force on 1st December 2016. There are also some eligible exceptions for some diplomatic and official service passport holders.

There are eVisas for tourists applicable when the visitors are from certain countries. An eVisa allows a visit of up to 28 days. The eVisa is valid for a period of 3 months.

For our business clients we cover the application process for non tourist ‘reason for stay’ purposes. For business eVisa applications you must be a citizen of eligible countries which include:-

All ASEAN citizens.
All European Union citizens – this currently includes all classes of British nationality.
Australia, Canada, China, India, Israel, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States.

For standard visas, foreign nationals have benefited from changes of the regulations that came into force during January 2016. These apply to all forms of visa.

An entry visa is available for applicants from government agencies planning official visits, requiring a letter of invitation from the Ministry concerned of the Myanmar Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Social visits, Meditation visits, are not our domain but these require invitations from the monastery hosting the visitor.

Business Visa

For business organisations that have establishments in Myanmar or for an applicant proposing to create a business (a prime support role of FocusCore) the business visa is required.

Multiple Journey Entry Visa

For official visits and also for commercial, business purposes for entry into Myanmar.

Diplomatic Visa

Applicable to government officials. Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FocusCore reminds applicants that applications via post are not accepted. Please contact us to facilitate your application.

There are three types of re-entry visas.

1.) Multiple journey special re-entry visa for up to one year

2.) Special re-entry visa or single re-entry visa

3.) Re-entry visa for foreigners entitled to reside in Myanmar.

Applications must be sent to the Foreign Affairs section of the Ministry of Immigration and Population. Naturally we follow this course for our clients.

An application for the Foreigner’s Registration Certificate and the Long Term Stay Permit can be submitted at the same time. The Long Term Stay Permit can be issued for three or six months prior to a one-year permit being authorised.

The following documents are required:-

(Your dedicated contact in FocusCore will require these documents, to forward on your behalf).

Myanmar employer details
Incorporation Certificate
Trade Permit (Form I)
Form VI and Form XXVI (applicable only to Private Limited Companies)
Form XVIII (applicable only to Branches)
Bank account statement
Form E (may not be required, depending on specific case details)
MIC Permit (if applicable), with details of the number of proposed staff and a list of foreign employees currently in the company.

The following may be required according to your details:-

Import/Export certificate
UMFCCI member certificate
Endorsement letter of the Industrial Zone License
Memorandum of Understanding or licence issued by a Ministry with copies of the applicant’s details as follows: –

Passport ID page
Myanmar visa and arrival stamp
Nine identical passport photographs taken within the last six months
A signed CV /professional resumé
Employment contract
Endorsement letter from the applicant’s embassy in Myanmar. We can also facilitate this for you.
Two of your business cards clearly stating your job title
Your Marriage and/or birth certificates and for your dependents
Residence letter, landlord’s National Registration Card (copy), landlord’s family list and lease contract
Endorsement letter from the area Ward Administration Office

Upon receipt FocusCore will complete the necessary steps, and produce the required forms duly completed together with accompanying letters as required.

These include:-

An authorisation letter
Letter in English and Myanmar for the appropriate Ministry
Letter in English and Myanmar for the Immigration and National Registration Department
Letter in English and Myanmar for corresponding township immigration officer
A Foreigner’s Registration Certificate application form
Immigration and National Registration Department form

Action when you arrive in Myanmar

It is important you remember as soon as you arrive in Myanmar, to apply without delay for the Foreigner’s Registration Certificate and Long Term Stay Permit. If we are acting for you please advise us of any change in your travel details and dates. Forms requiring your signature and of your employer will be prepared for you.

The document sets will be prepared with appropriate accompanying letters for each government ministry as required. The process will also cover the request for your Foreigner’s Registration Certificate. Once these are issued we will collect them for you and arrange a further meeting with you again.

Time needed for your application

You should allow four or five weeks for the process to complete. Upon receipt of the Long Term Stay Permit you do not need to depart from Myanmar by each calendar 70th day and can remain for a duration as stated by your permit.

Usually this is three months. Later and before the Long Term Stay Permit expiration date we can request an extension to the time period for you.

Further renewals normally attract validity for 6 months and thereafter for the third application 12 months.

Once the certificate and permit have been issued the Township Immigration Department relating to your location, they will have copies on file.

Change of your details – action required

Please note you should contact us or the appropriate Immigration Department within 72 hours and provide them with the duly filled form, an original and copy of your passport, FRC a copy and original, your arrival date, and letter of recommendation from the state or regional offices.

You can also register your children, this is to say minors, as under 18 they do not need to apply for a
Foreigner’s Registration Certificate in their own names but their names must be added to their parents Foreigner’s Registration Certificate. Children under 18 years and over 12 must apply with a Form AA.

This is added to the application form signed by the parents, Passport page with details, Myanmar visa and arrival stamp, four identical passport pictures taken within the last 6 months and the original receipt of your application fee.

Charges

Initial Application – Applicant
US$ 800 plus US$ 45 fees

Initial Application – Dependant
US$ 425 plus US$ 45 fees

Guest Resident Report
US$ 500 plus fees which can vary

Renewal (Applicant)
US$ 800 plus US$ 45 fees

Renewal (Dependant)
US$ 425 plus US$ 45 fees

FocusCore at your side in Myanmar

We look forward to working for you and obtaining the permits and visas that are required. This is part of our wide range of corporate support, recruitment, advisory and company start up services.

Focus Core established in Myanmar

We opened our Myanmar offices in February 2014. We have the benefit of both local nationals and international members of staff, to provide world class services with local knowledge. We are processing applications every day for companies.

We are experts

This process may probably be the first endeavour into Myanmar for you. We recognise your competences to run and steer your company. By using our services you have the time to focus on what you do best, in the knowledge that we can provide you with the tried and tested route forward, and readily comply with national laws and compliance guidelines.

Vital First Steps into Myanmar

We recognise that these initial steps are vital for you, not only to maintain your corporate start in line with the law but also to save time and costs. It is a complex process and if not completed correctly, is liable to adds real costs and invisible costs of delays to your opening date, damaging your business launch and revenues.

International Offices of FocusCore

FocusCore operates across many countries with offices in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore. Not only do we provide administration services but also legal, bookkeeping, fully serviced office space, so providing a one stop shop covering virtually all you need to start and operate in Myanmar.

Multiple services from FocusCore – not only visa applications

Due to our efficient inter-team networks the sum of all the services is greater than their total. By being in the same group, our focus is to provide you with the best services. You do not need to meet, arrange, review, update multiple service suppliers in order to receive these various services.

Dedicated Account Director – International branch network

You are also allocated an account Director whose role is also to supervise progress and service levels across all fields of service delivery to you.

Don’t forget that by having offices overseas we may be able to facilitate leveraged benefits, for example financial services in Singapore.