Myanmar online E-visas to debut in September

[DagonKhan]

E-visas to debut in September

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is planning to launch an e-visa programme next month, ahead of the tourism high season that begins in October, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Htay Aung said.

The new e-visa programme is expected to accelerate the growth of the country’s tourism industry, which saw revenues almost double last year, officials said.

The e-visas will make it more convenient for tourists to visit the country, they explained.

The tourism industry generated US$534 million in revenues in 2012 and $926 million last year, according to the ministry.

The e-visa programme is part of its Myanmar Tourism Master Plan (2013-2020), which comprises 38 projects. Implementation of the plan is expected to cost $486 million. The returns could be significant if projections for tourist arrivals meet targets, industry executives say. The target for this year is 3.1 million tourist arrivals, and that number is expected to more than double to more than 7 million by 2020.

Htay Aung said the country’s opening had sparked the tourism boom. He claimed that about 85 per cent of revenues generated by the industry went directly to the people.

The tourism industry is expected generate more than US$ 1 billion in revenues this year.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7131:e-visas-to-debut-in-september&catid=35:tourism&Itemid=358

[Deacon Bell]

I thought they did this around 3 years ago, but a company or two with influence kind of overtook it and there was a lot of people paying a lot more money than they should have for their visas.

Anyway, good if it happens properly.

Hopefully they can be used in Phu Nam Ron border in Kanchanaburi for people with Multi-Entry Non-Imm visas and need to do a border run.

[DagonKhan]

I thought they did this around 3 years ago, but a company or two with influence kind of overtook it and there was a lot of people paying a lot more money than they should have for their visas.

That's exactly what happened. Since then many of the travel and tours companies have complained and lobbied for the Ministry to run it themselves to avoid what happened before. Looks like they've been successful. As you say, let's hope it works out.

[SeaVisionBurma]

E-visas scheduled to launch in Myanmar next month

From TTR Weekly by Tobias Esche, Yangon, August 11, 2014

MYANMAR will introduce an e-visa system beginning September 1, a move that could finally streamline visa processes for travellers.

Tourists are required to file their visa application online at www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm at least one week before their trip. The online visa is priced at US$50, though the same visa obtained through an embassy abroad costs US$30, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Only credit card payment is accepted.

Once the application has been processed by the Ministry of Immigration and Population, applicants will receive an email confirmation letter that they must present to the airline and to immigration authorities at Yangon International Airport, along with their passports.

Business visas are not yet available online, though this may change in the future

Full story here: E-visas scheduled to launch in Myanmar next month

[SeaVisionBurma]

Looks like it is actually going to go ahead this time, the govt website has a new splash banner

Good news!!!!

[SeaVisionBurma]

UPDATE: You can apply for your Myanmar e-visa now, for tourist visas only. The cost is USD$50

Beta testing seems to be working. I can get through the application process up to the payment stage.

For newcomers to this thread - if you do apply for an e-visa on the site http://www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm/ ahead of the 1st September official launch, please post back with your comments and results

[craigt3365]

This is great news!

[onthedarkside]

Good news

[Deacon Bell]

So only available to those flying into Yangon?

"Once the application has been processed by the Ministry of Immigration and Population, applicants will receive an email confirmation letter that they must present to the airline and to immigration authorities at Yangon International Airport, along with their passports."

[SeaVisionBurma]

So only available to those flying into Yangon?

"Once the application has been processed by the Ministry of Immigration and Population, applicants will receive an email confirmation letter that they must present to the airline and to immigration authorities at Yangon International Airport, along with their passports."

Correct, and this is confirmed by the first step of the online application process.

Only Yangon is available as an entry point option

[96tehtarp]

This is great news!

[balo]

Myanmar here I come...

[george]

How long is a Myanmar tourist visa valid for? 30 days stay?

[SeaVisionBurma]

How long is a Myanmar tourist visa valid for? 30 days stay?

Myanmar Tourist visas are valid for 28 days, and they can be extended for an additional 14 days in country.

[balo]

Can you do visaruns like.....forever in myanmar ?

[chotthee]

I think Myanmar need to be connected to the internet first.

eVisa can wait.

[SeaVisionBurma]

I think Myanmar need to be connected to the internet first.

eVisa can wait.

Two fundamental flaws in your post:

1. Myanmar is already 'connected to the internet'

2. Anybody applying for an e-visa is not going to be in Myanmar in the first place

[Rinrada]

Visa Processing Fee

Looks good and straight forward...Can take ID Photo on Computer.

After payment of 50 Bucks US Letter of Confirmation will be sent within 5 days (if approved)and valid for 90 days....

Not going yet but seems to work...

Visa Type Tourist Visa

No. of Entries Single Entry

Visa Processing Fee 50.00 USD

Valid to Stay in Country 28 Days

Available Payment Options

Please note that you will be paying to Galaluz Pte Ltd for the Visa Processing Fee collection

[belg]

myanmar, the thailand without electricity, gets to launch an e-visa and thailand still in dark ages with papermill that they love so much, wake up thailand

good future destination for all the visa runners ? easy for their girlfriends to go visit them overthere ?

[phuketrichard]

i was just over there 2 weeks ago;

internet just about everywhere we went (Mandalay, Bagan, Hsipaw, Mogok)

but dont expect it like it is here in Thailand

I used the pre approved visa on arrival service offered online ( was $75) as i flew into Mandalay

its still a great place but from talking to people there its quite busy form Nov-march and hotel rates go high an travel can be hard as to many people.

[SeaVisionBurma]

myanmar, the thailand without electricity, gets to launch an e-visa and thailand still in dark ages with papermill that they love so much, wake up thailand

good future destination for all the visa runners ? easy for their girlfriends to go visit them overthere ?

Yep, Thai nationals can get tourist visas to Myanmar with a minimum of fuss, and are also included in the initial list of approved countries for the new e-visa system

[thonglorjimmy]

Really good news, I like Myanmar very much, I certainly wont miss the two trips to their Embassy in Bangkok before my visits.

[Deacon Bell]

myanmar, the thailand without electricity, gets to launch an e-visa and thailand still in dark ages with papermill that they love so much, wake up thailand

Umm, you don't need a visa if coming to Thailand as a tourist for less than 30 days.....

[craigt3365]

myanmar, the thailand without electricity, gets to launch an e-visa and thailand still in dark ages with papermill that they love so much, wake up thailand

Umm, you don't need a visa if coming to Thailand as a tourist for less than 30 days.....

Depends on your nationality.

[DagonKhan]

I used the pre approved visa on arrival service offered online ( was $75) as i flew into Mandalay

I've no idea who you used for that, but a word of caution, it's the private companies who have been offering this service that they are trying to stop.

Word is that they have been causing problems for immigration and subsequently tourists. They're trying to nip that in the bud as they've received many complaints and the local tour companies want it all cleaned up before they get a bad name.

[phuketrichard]

I used the pre approved visa on arrival service offered online ( was $75) as i flew into Mandalay

I've no idea who you used for that, but a word of caution, it's the private companies who have been offering this service that they are trying to stop.

Word is that they have been causing problems for immigration and subsequently tourists. They're trying to nip that in the bud as they've received many complaints and the local tour companies want it all cleaned up before they get a bad name.

word from where/who? have a link aywhere? otherwise.....

had no trouble and very good service and has been doing pre approved visa on arrival for a long time, <url removed as per forum rules>

they are a local travel company

Edited August 12, 2014 by SeaVisionBurma
removed commerical link

[SeaVisionBurma]

I've removed a link from the post above (apologies phuketrichard) as per forum rules

Google Myanmar Visa Online if you want to contact them, first result.

[SeaVisionBurma]

A list of the 35 countries which can currently apply for the online e-visa Myanmar tourist visa:

Australia

Bangladesh

Brazil

Brunei

Cambodia

Canada

China

Denmark

Egypt

France

Germany

India

Indonesia

Israel

Italy

Japan

Korea, DPR

Korea, Republic

Kuwait

Laos

Malaysia

Nepal

Norway

Pakistan

Philippines

Russian Federation

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Singapore

Sri Lanka

Switzerland

Thailand

Turkey

United Kingdom

USA

Vietnam

[DagonKhan]

I used the pre approved visa on arrival service offered online ( was $75) as i flew into Mandalay

I've no idea who you used for that, but a word of caution, it's the private companies who have been offering this service that they are trying to stop.

Word is that they have been causing problems for immigration and subsequently tourists. They're trying to nip that in the bud as they've received many complaints and the local tour companies want it all cleaned up before they get a bad name.

word from where/who? have a link aywhere? otherwise.....

had no trouble and very good service and has been doing pre approved visa on arrival for a long time, <url removed as per forum rules>

they are a local travel company

Word from someone directly involved in this particular matter. No, there is no link.

[SeaVisionBurma]

New e-visas for tourists only, ministry says

From Eleven Myanmar Media, 12th August

The e-visas set to debut on September 1 will be for tourists only, but other types will be issued online in the future, the Ministry of Immigration and Population has said.

The tourst e-visas will cost US$50, though the fee may change, said Aung Thiha, assistant director of the ministry’s office at Yangon International Airport. Tourists who apply online will receive the visa within one week, but it must be used within three months of issuance and is valid for a visit of up to 28 days, Aung Thiha said.

Read more here: New e-visas for tourists only