Myanmar Business Visa - Definitive Guide

A business visa to Myanmar is issued to those individuals who are looking forward to carrying out business activities like attending business conferences and exhibitions, a business meeting for a branch of your own organization or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands. This is generally a multiple entry permit and its validity is more compared to the tourist type. It is also essential to remember that having a visa does not guarantee you an entry into the country. If in any case the border control or the Immigration find any kind of issues with your visa or yourself, there are chances that you may not be allowed through the border.

Before moving onto the application process for a business visa to Myanmar, it is important to know if you are an eligible candidate for the same. There are multiple ways to obtain a Myanmar business visa for Indians. It can be applied for online prior to arrival, as well as can be obtained upon arrival to Myanmar. The processes are given as follows:

• E-visa process

1. First visit the official website for the application of Myanmar e-visa.
2. Fill out the Myanmar business visa form.
3. Attach your recent photograph.
4. Attach scanned copies of the required documents.
5. Confirm your information and submit the application.
6. Pay the required visa fee for processing.
7. Get the application approved.

• Visa on Arrival

1. Download the visa on arrival application form.
2. Fill out the form completely and sign it.
3. Carry the application form and other required documents with you to Myanmar.
4. Present the application form and the supporting documents to the Immigration officer.
5. Pay the required fee.
6. Get your passport stamped.

Generally, you can get a business visa to Myanmar online easily, else you can carry the required documents and get your passport stamped upon arrival to Myanmar. There is an offline procedure that is carried out the Embassy of Myanmar. Normally, the embassy will not accept individual applications and may even recommend you to apply for the visa online. The offline process takes place as follows:

• Stamp visa process

1. You can start by downloading the Myanmar business visa form.
2. You can then fill out the required information in the form.
3. Attach a recent photograph as per the photo specifications.
4. Submit the application and supporting documents to the embassy.
5. Pay the required fee for the permit.

There are a few crucial things that you need to know at the time of filling out the Myanmar business visa form. All the details in the application form should match with the information in the passport and other travel documents. All the details should be correct and traceable. If any of the information in the application form is found to be false or incorrect, the application may get rejected. There are other causes to a rejection as well. However, these chances can be minimized by employing professional visa services.

The criteria to be met before applying for a business visa to Myanmar are the eligibility criteria that will specify you as a valid traveller. The application can be made after you match all the required parameters for this permit. These are listed as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Myanmar.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements
• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Myanmar.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• • • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Myanmar.
    • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The documents that are required for the issuance of a business visa to Myanmar will vary as per the process that is being followed. The differentiated Myanmar  business visa requirements are listed as follows:

• E-visa requirements

• Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
• Photo as per the photo specifications.
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement, etc.
• Visa on arrival requirements
• Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
• Visa application form, duly signed.
• Photo as per the photo specifications.
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement, etc.
• Stamp visa requirements

• • • Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
    • Visa application form, duly signed.
    • Photo as per the photo specifications.
    • Confirmed flight tickets.
    • Covering letter.
    • Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
    • Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement, etc.

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 38 mm x 46 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• It must be a JPEG image or of any other supportable format for E visa.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white.
• Neutral expressions.
• Hair should not hide eyes.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• Teeth should not be visible.
• Glasses are not permitted, except for prescription glasses.
• Eyes must be clearly visible through glasses.
• Must be taken in clear light.
• There should be no red eyes or flashes messing the image.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the processing of a business visa to Myanmar from India will differ as per the process that is being followed for the issuance. For the online process, the time required for the issuance is about 3 working days. The application for a Myanmar business visa cannot be expressed. Also, you will immediately receive a stamp from the Immigration for a visa on arrival. In case of a stamp visa, it will require about a couple of weeks for processing and can even go up to 90 days in some cases.

The fees to issue a business visa to Myanmar is to be paid online for an e-visa, to the Immigration for a visa on arrival and to the Embassy for a stamp visa. For online process, the payment can be made online through any acceptable method. For a stamp permit, the fee can be paid in cash or with a demand draft. Also note that the visa cost will differ as per the process that is followed, the type of permit and a few other factors.

There are a few things that must be noted after you have submitted your applications for the respective type of permit. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• For the online process to get a business visa to Myanmar, the scanned copies of the documents must be submitted and should be clear enough to retrieve the required information.
• For a Myanmar visa on arrival, all the required documents must be carried to the airport.
• It is also essential that you get registered immediately to the office of Township Immigration and National Registration Department after you have obtained your entry stamp on your passport for your visa on arrival.
• Also, once you have your online confirmation letter for your e-visa, you mustn’t forget to get the stamp from the Immigration upon arrival.
• After the submission of the documents and the form, the application will be processed.
• Meanwhile, you can check the status of your visa. Also remember to select the port of entry in the application.
• If there are any kind of changes in the application, the authorities must be informed accordingly.
• In case there is a change of plans and you need to withdraw the application, it must be done within the processing time.
• The visa fee is normally non-refundable.

The status of your permit can be checked online by visiting the Myanmar e visa portal. To check the status, you just need to enter your application number and other details know the processing status of your business visa to Myanmar. To check the status offline for your stamp visa, you can contact the visa agency if you have applied through one, or you can contact the Consulate for the same.

You will receive your business visa to Myanmar after the processing and the payment of the fees. After the issuance of the visa, you must be careful about your actions as there are chances that with bad conduct, the visa may get cancelled. Some of the pointers are listed as follows:

• Before you travel

• Print your e-visa for Myanmar.
• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Myanmar within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get the confirmation letter of your online permit verified.
• Acquire entry stamp on the passport regardless of the type of permit.
• Get your documents and your e-visa/stamp visa verified.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Myanmar
• • • Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
    • The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
    • It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
    • The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
    • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.