Myanmar Visa Info

[jerrybeirne]

i have just been to yangon for four days for my visa run. chiang mai, yangon round trip 6700 baht on air bagan. very pleasant for a short haul trip, only 45 minutes.

no problem with visa on arrival, a simple form to fill in, one passport photo and $30, also $10 departure tax when you leave. i was not asked to show $300 spending money. it all took ten minutes, i was third in the queue.

as i and others have mentioned before on going to burma, MAKE SURE YOUR U.S DOLLAR BILLS ARE IN PRISTINE CONDITION. immigration and money changers will not accept anything even slightly crumpled, colour faded or with ink markings on them.

i got my new dollar bills, in all denominations from krung thai bank on night market street. (turn left where loi kroh meets the night market, 200yds on the right)

stayed at the panda hotel, which i booked through agoda, $26 a night inc. taxes etc. not bad for the money, check out the reviews.

$7 from the airport to hotel in the oldest taxi in the world!

anybody wanting any more info feel free to pm me.

jerry.

[gotlost]

Nice report. Glad you had a good trip.

[Lakegeneve]

Great to hear that the VOA has finalle been implemented. It was meant to start on 1st Jan but being Burma......

Thanks for the confirmation.

They Burmese are not the only ones to prefer new, crisp US notes but they are the most anal about it which of course makes sense given the econmic and political realities.

[jakestevernson]

Great news i should be there in a few weeks time and will post up a report.

[kurnell]

Splendid news. I think it's time for another cricket tour of Yangon.

[Jingthing]

How many days stay do you get with their VOA?

[moe666]

Jingthing I think 30 days same as a visa from the Embassy In Bangkok (what a nightmare).

I like Yangon for a few days been there twice, before going up to Bagan the first trip and to Inlay lake the second.

[johninbkk]

Very informative. Thanks.

Do Thai require a visa? I'm not certain to visit as yet but if I do I'll post a few questions.

john

[MisterBean]

I just got back from Yangon as well so I will throw in my 2 cents. I flew AirAsia and they handed out arrival/departure cards on the plane but not the visa application. I noticed some people on the plane had them already and were filling them out. I filled one out at the counter and it did slow the process a little but overall it went smoothly. The visa is good for 4 weeks. If you only have large bills use one for the visa, they will give you your change in new US bills. I stayed at the Thamada hotel and booked it online through AirAsiago for 800THB a night including breakfast. The AirAsia office is in the swanky Park Royal hotel next door, I had dinner there one night for $12, they only took perfect US bills and gave my change in the same way. The Thamada hotel is in a good location, a ten minute walk to the train station and Scott market. The food was not so great there but I found a restaurant nearby called Santino cafe that was good. When you walk down the street between the two hotels towards the Scott market, you turn right at the same side street that you would turn left to get to the footbridge to the market. Santino was on the right about 50metres from the corner. They had a storefront selling bakery items too but if follow my directions you see they have a restaurant as well.

I was able to change money at Scott market. I was quoted between 850 (Thamada hotel) and 1050 kyats to the dollar. I changed mine with a jeweler who gave me a rate of 950, and clean notes. It was a very honest transaction. I had read of some money exchange scams so I was careful but it went smoothly. I did not spend much there in spite of coming back with a pile of stuff, prices were very good although I am almost afraid to try my 60B bottle of whisky. I was at one stall and there was a Thai cop (jacket) next to me buying something with Thai Baht. I took the circle train around Yangon for $1. You have to go to platform 7 and go to the ticket booth on the platform. Once there you have to go inside and give your passport in order to buy a ticket. There is a train in the morning the leaves around 8:20 and they escorted me to the train and sat me in the same car as the flagman. I don't know if roping off the end of the car was for his benefit or mine but he did allow people to cross the rope and sit next to me. I love trains and so I enjoyed it but you don't really see that much during the three hour trip so unless you love trains don't bother.

The humidity was a real problem for me and there are no 7-11's or anything really to pop into for a little cooling. I brought a fan and a couple packages of wet towels with me and they were a lifesaver.

AirAsia have a promotion on for flights leaving now, or close to now. As always it isn't all flights, but you can get a round trip from BKK (leaving Aug 23, and coming back on the 28 for example) including checking a bag for 2500B.

[johninbkk]

I just got back from Yangon as well so I will throw in my 2 cents. I flew AirAsia and they handed out arrival/departure cards on the plane but not the visa application. I noticed some people on the plane had them already and were filling them out. I filled one out at the counter and it did slow the process a little but overall it went smoothly. The visa is good for 4 weeks. If you only have large bills use one for the visa, they will give you your change in new US bills. I stayed at the Thamada hotel and booked it online through AirAsiago for 800THB a night including breakfast. The AirAsia office is in the swanky Park Royal hotel next door, I had dinner there one night for $12, they only took perfect US bills and gave my change in the same way. The Thamada hotel is in a good location, a ten minute walk to the train station and Scott market. The food was not so great there but I found a restaurant nearby called Santino cafe that was good. When you walk down the street between the two hotels towards the Scott market, you turn right at the same side street that you would turn left to get to the footbridge to the market. Santino was on the right about 50metres from the corner. They had a storefront selling bakery items too but if follow my directions you see they have a restaurant as well.

I was able to change money at Scott market. I was quoted between 850 (Thamada hotel) and 1050 kyats to the dollar. I changed mine with a jeweler who gave me a rate of 950, and clean notes. It was a very honest transaction. I had read of some money exchange scams so I was careful but it went smoothly. I did not spend much there in spite of coming back with a pile of stuff, prices were very good although I am almost afraid to try my 60B bottle of whisky. I was at one stall and there was a Thai cop (jacket) next to me buying something with Thai Baht. I took the circle train around Yangon for $1. You have to go to platform 7 and go to the ticket booth on the platform. Once there you have to go inside and give your passport in order to buy a ticket. There is a train in the morning the leaves around 8:20 and they escorted me to the train and sat me in the same car as the flagman. I don't know if roping off the end of the car was for his benefit or mine but he did allow people to cross the rope and sit next to me. I love trains and so I enjoyed it but you don't really see that much during the three hour trip so unless you love trains don't bother.

The humidity was a real problem for me and there are no 7-11's or anything really to pop into for a little cooling. I brought a fan and a couple packages of wet towels with me and they were a lifesaver.

AirAsia have a promotion on for flights leaving now, or close to now. As always it isn't all flights, but you can get a round trip from BKK (leaving Aug 23, and coming back on the 28 for example) including checking a bag for 2500B.

Great info. thanks. Anyone else!!! Please info on Thai VOA.

bye

[Boycie]

Quote "According to the Rangoon-based Eleven Media Group, Mandalay International Airport and Yangon International Airport will stop issuing visas on arrival to tourists on Sept. 1."

Full story here

Had a look at Eleven Media Group website but couldn't find any information.

Boycie

[moe666]

The last timw I was in Burma my girlfriend a Thai had to have a visa. I stayed at the Thermada my first trip about 6 or 7 years ago it's good value for the money. MisterBean is that very attractive lady still working at the check in desk.

The main Pagoda is defiantly a must see and the reclining Buddha. The Strand Hotel is worth a visit for a drink a lot of expats will be found there on Fri. and Sat. night

[moe666]

Quote "According to the Rangoon-based Eleven Media Group, Mandalay International Airport and Yangon International Airport will stop issuing visas on arrival to tourists on Sept. 1."

Full story here

Had a look at Eleven Media Group website but couldn't find any information.

Boycie

The news story says humanitarian workers. Will check more

[jaideeguy]

I'm planning a trip end of Oct and beginning of Nov for up to a week. I really don't like cities that much and would like to escape Yangoon.....any suggestions for a 3or 4 day escape??

and while in Yangoon, is there any nightlife??

[jaideeguy]

OOPs, I just read a later thread that Nov 7 is the general election in Burma......maybe not a good time to visit??

[sabaijai]

Quote "According to the Rangoon-based Eleven Media Group, Mandalay International Airport and Yangon International Airport will stop issuing visas on arrival to tourists on Sept. 1."

Full story here

Had a look at Eleven Media Group website but couldn't find any information.

Boycie

The news story says humanitarian workers. Will check more

At the very end of the story, it says "According to the Rangoon-based Eleven Media Group, Mandalay International Airport and Yangon International Airport will stop issuing visas on arrival to tourists on Sept. 1."

And the Eleven Media Group article cited:

Issuance of on arrival visas to be suspended commencing 1 September at Yangon, Mandalay airports

Issuance of on arrival visas will be suspended at Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport starting 1 September 2010.

The Ministry of Home Affairs held the meeting on 30 April 2010 on the agenda of issuing arrival visas, and then arrival visa was issued to every foreign visitor at these airports. This plan will be suspended after four-month practice commencing 1 September.

The reasons for this suspension include reviewing the nationalities of inbound visitors who entered the country on arrival visas during four months period and the amount of income from this program, according to a responsible person of the Department of Immigration at the Yangon International Airport.

“Issuance of on arrival visas will be suspended starting 1 September 2010 because we will review the nationalities of inbound visitors and the amount of income received from this program,” the responsible person said.

He continued, “We don’t know the exact date when this program will resume. During this suspension period, the regular visas will be issued with the approval of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.”

Due to the advantages of issuing on arrival visas, it was estimated that the number of visitors is likely to surge in the forthcoming tourism season in Myanmar. Therefore, travel agencies are hopeful that this program could be resumed in time before the tourism season.

http://eversion.elevenmediagroup.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=758:issuance-of-on-arrival-visas-to-be-suspended-commencing-1-september-at-yangon-mandalay-airports&catid=42:weekly-eleven-eversion&Itemid=109

[elliss]

OOPs, I just read a later thread that Nov 7 is the general election in Burma......maybe not a good time to visit??

i think , and hope that burma will change for the better ,

making it a more welcome place for tourists to visit .

another 10 years , it will be as popular as thailand .

[seanocasey]

Quote "According to the Rangoon-based Eleven Media Group, Mandalay International Airport and Yangon International Airport will stop issuing visas on arrival to tourists on Sept. 1."

Full story here

Had a look at Eleven Media Group website but couldn't find any information.

Boycie

found here

[Boycie]

Many thanks for posting the news story seanocasey and sabaijai.

It was not on the linked website this morning when i posted

sabaijai, Is there any chance on having a pinned topic about Myanmar visa's in the Southeast Asia forum?

I'm sure with Air Asia doing cheap flights to Yangon from Bangkok that many people will find it useful. Will save a lot of time searching through different posts.

Boycie

[johninbkk]

4 of us are booked for this Sunday 29th. If we are rejected for VOA, they can shove it. I'll take the loss on the airfare and hotel cancellation fees. I only considered this tour because of the AirAsia's heavily discounted fares and the easy of VOA. We don't live in Bkk and it is inconvenient to lodge and wait for the Embassy to issue a tourist visa, especially when there are so many surrounding countries that we could visit as a short get-a-way.

[DagonKhan]

4 of us are booked for this Sunday 29th. If we are rejected for VOA, they can shove it.

You should be okay as it's just before the 1st September. It hasn't been officially confirmed yet though.

[Boycie]

Latest from AirAsia.com

Quote "Visa on Arrival facilities temporarily discontinued in Myanmar

Please be informed that Visa On Arrival facilities at all Myanmar entry points will be discontinued with effect from 1 September 2010 until further notice."

So for those unaware of the new rules, will airasia.com refuse to let them check-in at the airport without a Myanmar visa in their passport from 1st September? Will wait and see.

I think a new thread is needed, because Yangon, visa on arrival, no problem no longer applies from the 1st Sept.

[Lakegeneve]

Latest from AirAsia.com

Quote "Visa on Arrival facilities temporarily discontinued in Myanmar

Please be informed that Visa On Arrival facilities at all Myanmar entry points will be discontinued with effect from 1 September 2010 until further notice."

So for those unaware of the new rules, will airasia.com refuse to let them check-in at the airport without a Myanmar visa in their passport from 1st September? Will wait and see.

I think a new thread is needed, because Yangon, visa on arrival, no problem no longer applies from the 1st Sept.

What a shame! I just flew there on the weekend and the VOA was a breeze compared to the previous hassles & time of obtaining a visa beforehand. The whole VOA process was very quick (5 mins) and painless.

It was expected that the issuing of VOAs, and most other visas, would be suspended in the period prior to the election but I would have expected that to occur around 1 Oct, not so soon. However, I guess the junta has acute concerns regarding outsiders witnessing their 'democratic' vote!

[Peterbigeyes]

Sigh, good things just don't last

[sabaijai]

Good idea, Boycie, done.

[Boycie]

Many thanks sabaijai.

Just waiting now for someone to post up to date information on obtaining a tourist visa.

Does a Thai national with a Thai passport still need a visa?

Boycie.

[Pseacraft]

Dang, i wish I knew before that they were doing VOA for everyone on a test basis. I just missed the chance to go see Bagan with my Burmese girl. Dang! I'll have to watch for it to resume, which I hope it does!!!! So difficult to get a Tourist visa when the closest embassy is in KSA.

[Boycie]

For anyone making the trip to the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok to obtain a tourist visa, these are the forms we had to fill out, as of the middle of September 2010.

Might save yourself a bit of time to print and fill them out before you go.

The 'Report of Arrival' is A5 size the other two forms are A4.

Address 132 Sathorn Nua Rd, Silom. Nearest BTS Station "Surasak" Exit 3. Bottom of stairs turn right, walk along pavement under Skytrain station. Pass the escalator entance, if not your going the wrong way. Walk up Sathorn Road 300 metres until Thanon Pan. Few metres down side road on the right is the entrance.

Hope you enjoy Myanmar like i did.

Boycie.

[rak sa_ngop]

For anyone making the trip to the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok to obtain a tourist visa, these are the forms we had to fill out, as of the middle of September 2010.

Might save yourself a bit of time to print and fill them out before you go.

The 'Report of Arrival' is A5 size the other two forms are A4.

Address 132 Sathorn Nua Rd, Silom. Nearest BTS Station "Surasak" Exit 3. Bottom of stairs turn right, walk along pavement under Skytrain station. Pass the escalator entance, if not your going the wrong way. Walk up Sathorn Road 300 metres until Thanon Pan. Few metres down side road on the right is the entrance.

Hope you enjoy Myanmar like i did.

Boycie.

If you approach the embassy on Pan Road coming from Silom Road, there is a travel agent on the left hand side run by a Burmese couple (closer to Silom Road than Surawong Road). Here you can buy your air tickets and make hotel reservations paying for your room in Baht or USD, thus saving the need to carry extra cash into Myanmar. E.g Thamada hotel was 25 USD per night last year (incl great breakfast), the same rate as you would pay directly in Yangon. Most of these budget hotels will not take credit cards.

[javel]

Update, correction and comments to earlier posts for tourist visa .......and more.

Visa from Embassy in Bangkok:

- From Oct.1 3 pictures are needed, not 2 as earlier.

- White background on pictures, I was turned away with pictures with grey background!

- Express service (next day visa) is possible for 225 baht extra (810 baht 2 days, 1035 baht 1 day)

- Visa valid for entry 1 month from issue.

- Valid for 28 days stay in Myanmar.

- Express visa service is up to the embassy officer. The guy ahead of me in line got 2 fingers out of the service window explaining 2 days wait. I got express service by asking polite with a smile.

Taxi from airpost 6 US$ ( to airport 5 US$)

Going exchange rate at the front page of www.irrawaddy.org

New 100$ bills, not with "broken head" (folded) as they call them, get this rate at the jewellers at the market.

(bills with "broken head" will be exchanged at 3000 kyat less than the going rate.)

market closed on mondays, then good place to change is at the tea/coffee shop on the right hand side of Central hotel (talk to a waiter, or better the cashier), expect 2000-3000 kyat less than from the market.

For more "fun" change at "good rates" on the street, and see if (how) you get cheated.

With the currently lousy exchange rate of 870 kyat to 1$, you can in many situations be better off by paying in US$. Since the exchange rate mostly has been at more than 1000 kyat for 1$ the last years, the not so professional market is kind of "set at" 1000 kyat = 1$ (currently you win on this).

Book hotels from a tourist agent in Myanmar (internet). Because of the monetary situation you won't have to pay ahead, so if something happens with your trip in the last minute you won't lose any money.

Your phone dont work in Myanmar, no ATM's or credit cards, internet generally dont work. For email use google mail, others, hotmail etc. are blocked in Myanmar.

(Got the "runs" twice, and that was from eating at that crappy "farang" cafe next to the maket/FMI building, where you will see all the white people. Eating at local south indian foodstalls at 1/5 of the price with food looking dicey, but tasting good, worked out well.)

J!!!