More visas issued at Yangon Airport

Myanmar’s Department of Immigration says more than 70,000 visitors obtained visas-on-arrival at Yangon International Airport during the first eight months of the year.

According to the department, from January to August, this year, 74,503 foreign visitors entered the country on visas-on-arrival at country’s main aviation gateway.

Chinese nationals topped the list with Japanese nationals second, local news channels reported.

Tourists and business visas are available on arrival, but there considerable restrictions.

Most airlines will not allow passengers to fly to Yangon without a visa, or documents entitling them to apply for a business visa-on-arrival.

Myanmar began issuing business visas-on-arrival for nationals from 26 countries, 1 June 2012 and expanded the list to include nationals from another 22 countries – mostly European countries – 1 February 2013.

From 1 June 2013 to August 31, this year, at least 130,000 visitors obtained visas- on-arrival, immigration data shows.

They are not technically visas-on-arrival, but more akin to a pre-arranged visa that has undergone security clearance ahead of the trip and then endorsed at the airport, when the passenger arrives.

A visa-on-arrivals suggests that no advance preparation is required. The visitor simply arrives at the airport, fills out the documentation and is given a visa at an airport counter after paying a fee.

Myanmar also introduced an e-visa scheme 1 September. The e-visa is now open to tourists from 41 countries, including Southeast Asian nations, but not all EU countries are on the list.

The system is open to tourists visiting the country, but not currently available for those on business or social visits. Journalists need a special visa if they are on a working visit.

The entry permit will cost USD50 and be valid for 28 days for visitors arriving via Yangon International Airport. For other airport checkpoints and all overland border checkpoints, travellers must first apply for a visa at the nearest embassy or consulate.

For the e-visa, tourists will need to file their application on the Ministry of Immigration and Population’s website. It will take one week for the ministry to check out the visa application. Once it has been approved, the ministry will send an official confirmation by email that the traveller can proceed with their travel arrangement to the country. It takes around two more working days to approve online than when compared to a visa application through an embassy.

Once the traveller arrives in Yangon they must present a printout of the approval along with their passports at Yangon International Airport. They will also have to show the approval letter to airlines when boarding flights to Yangon.

The e-visa programme is part of its Myanmar Tourism Master Plan (2013 to 2020), which comprises of 38 projects. Implementation of the plan is expected to cost USD486 million. The returns could be significant if projections for tourist arrivals meet targets.

Source: TTRweekly
Tags: myanmar visa, myanmar visa application, myanmar visa requirements, myanmar tourist visa, myanmar visa application form, myanmar visa online, myanmar e visa, myanmar business visa, visa to burma

Read More

Myanmar Visa Exemption To Be Speeded

Myanmar’s government says it hopes to secure bilateral visa exemption agreements with all ASEAN member countries by the end of this year to enable citizens to enjoy visa-free travel for up to 14 days.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy chief administrator, U Sein Oo, was quoted by local media as saying agreements were needed to enable as many people as possible to attend the Southeast Asian Games that will be held mid-December.

However, with just four weeks to go it will be difficult to reach that goal. The Thai premier is expected to sign a bilateral agreement during her official visit linked to  the opening of the Games.

The country already has vias-free travel privileges with Vietnam.

“The government wants to have visa-free travel for all ASEAN nations in 2014, when Myanmar will chair the 10-nation group,” he said.

Yet some countries are still working on the terms, while Singapore and Brunei have not yet responded to proposals according to reliable sources in Yangon.

Agreements with Laos and Indonesia are already at the stage of signing and could be firmed up by the start of the Games. That would leave agreements with Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and Cambodia still to negotiate.

The Union Myanmar Travel Association representative, U Naung Naung Han, said visa-free travel would present a substantial business opportunity for both inbound and outbound travel.

On 22 October, the Thai Cabinet approved a draft agreement on visa exemption but it still needs to be signed by the two premiers.

Once the bilateral accord is signed the visa exemption will apply to departures and arrivals at 23 airports in Thailand.

The airports are: Suvarnabhumi; Don Mueang; Chiang Mai; Chiang Rai; Hat Yai; Phuket; Nan; Phitsanulok; Mae Sot; Mae Hong Son; Khon Kaen; Nakhon Ratchasima; Udon Thani; Ubon Ratchathani; Krabi; Trang; Narathiwat; Ranong; Surat Thani; Hua Hin; Samui; Sukhothai; and U-tapao.

The agreement could also be suspended for security and public health reasons by informing the other country at least 15 days in advance. It can be annulled by either country through a notice presented through diplomatic channels at least 60 days in advance.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam tours; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Visa-free Travel To Myanmar For Thailand

Thai government spokesman, Teerat Ratanasevi, says Thailand and Myanmar will sign an agreement on visa exemption between the two countries, this December,which will give citizens of the two countries a 14-day visa-free stay.

Mr Teerarat said the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft agreement on the visa exemption.

“The draft will now be presented to the premiers of the two countries to sign when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visits Myanmar this December.”

The Thai PM will visit Myanmar, 11 and 12 December, to participate in the SEA Games opening ceremony.

He added: “The draft agreement was submitted to the Cabinet for approval in line with Article 190 of the Constitution, but does not have to be approved by Parliament.”

Under ASEAN membership rules all 10 countries are supposed to allow visa-free travel for the group’s citizens. Myanmar is the last of the member countries to comply with the rule.

However, ASEAN rules are based on voluntary participation and in the case of visa-free travel, bilateral agreements need to be ratified first that comply with national immigration laws.

Once the bilateral accord is signed the visa exemption will apply to departures and arrivals at 23 airports in Thailand.

The airports are: Suvarnabhumi; Don Mueang; Chiang Mai; Chiang Rai; Hat Yai; Phuket; Nan; Phitsanulok; Mae Sot; Mae Hong Son; Khon Kaen; Nakhon Ratchasima; Udon Thani; Ubon Ratchathani; Krabi; Trang; Narathiwat; Ranong; Surat Thani; Hua Hin; Samui; Sukhothai; and U-tapao.

Airports in Myanmar have yet to be identified.

However, the two countries reserve the right to deny entry to certain citizens, or reduce their stay without having to inform them of the reasons, he said.

The spokesman cited that the agreement could also be suspended for security and public health reasons by informing the other country at least 15 days in advance. It can be annulled by either country through a notice presented through diplomatic channels at least 60 days in advance.

Earlier this month, Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh signed a bilateral agreement in New York to allow Vietnamese travellers, the first in ASEAN, to gain visa-free entry to Myanmar.

Visa-free travel between the two countries applied 26 October this year.

According to the visa exemption pact between Vietnam and Myanmar, citizens need to have passports valid for a minimum of six months, and their stay must not exceed 14 days, without any facility to extend.

Myanmar authorities have also granted pre-arranged visa-on-arrival for visitors from 48 countries. It requires pre-approval from authorities. Once the traveller has confirmation that the visa on arrival has been approved they take a flight to Yangon and have the visa stamped into their passport on arrival.

The visa-free entry between Thailand and Myanmar will be limited to airline travel only, which excludes travellers who might want to travel over the border at Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province and then fly from Tachilek airport to Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan. They will still need a visa to pass through the overland checkpoint.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Easy Visa To Myanmar

Burma

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

Visa has taken its first steps towards entry into Myanmar (previously known as Burma) with a series of training workshops to prepare selected local banks for the introduction of electronic payments as the country continues its economic and social reforms.

The workshops are aimed at upgrading the banking facilities to accept and issue international payment cards and establishing a pillar for economic growth.

As Visa steps up its engagement, the first priority for Myanmar will be preparing for the influx of international visitors resulting from the relaxation of international sanctions. With Yangon’s hotels and major tourist attractions now regularly full and the country’s airports seeing increased passenger numbers, connection to the global economy is a key element in opening up the market.

The news also comes at a good time for Myanmar as the country gets set to host the anticipated rush of visitors expecting to use their payment cards at next year’s Southeast Asian Games and the regional World Economic Forum.

“We know from experience that there will be an urgent requirement to provide basic ATM network and point-of-sale terminals for international visitors arriving in Myanmar for business and pleasure—and that is where we will focus first,” said Peter Maher, Visa Group Country Manager, Southeast Asia and Australasia. “Inbound business people and tourists are already looking for the Visa acceptance mark at merchants for the convenience, security and reassurance it brings. The sooner we deliver electronic payments, the sooner Myanmar will benefit from the increased spending.”

Maher added: “This is an exciting time for the people of Myanmar and Visa is delighted to help bring the benefits, security and convenience of electronic payments to the country. As Myanmar builds its financial infrastructure, Visa will work hand-in-hand with the local market to provide its global knowledge and technology and bring safe secure and convenient payments to all.”

The Visa Card Partner Workshop in Yangon was attended by a number of the nation’s leading banks. During the two-day event, Visa introduced representatives to the international requirements for electronic payments and a roadmap for development and delivery. The first event in a series of interactive sessions addressed the critical needs, long-term objectives and immediate steps required to establish a payment infrastructure for Myanmar.

Speaking from Yangon, Somboon Krobteeranon, Visa Country Manager, Thailand and Myanmar said, “These workshops provide a clear path to introducing a reliable and internationally connected gateway to the global economy and we are already seeing potential partners enthusiastically supporting our proposals. From our initial observations, Myanmar should have little difficulty in meeting the international requirements and the country’s banks seem committed to providing electronic payments as soon as possible ... Electronic payments will provide important support for Myanmar’s business and tourism development as well as enable economic empowerment and inclusion for the millions of unbanked in the country.”

Visit us at Threeland Travel Myanmar to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Myanmar; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More