Immigration
Business visas and stay permits, with conscription law affecting departures since 2024
Foreign nationals enter on business or employment visas, with stay permits and multiple-journey re-entry visas for longer assignments. The activation of the People's Military Service Law in February 2024 introduced exit restrictions affecting Myanmar nationals of conscription age.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Ministry of Immigration and Population issues visas and stay permits. Departure formalities for Myanmar nationals now include conscription-related clearance.
Governing law
- Myanmar Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act 1947
- Foreigners Registration Act 1940
- People's Military Service Law1959, activated 2024
In practice
Business visas are typically issued for seventy days and extendable; employment requires a company-sponsored visa plus a stay permit, with foreign-worker documentation handled through DICA-registered employers. Registration with immigration authorities is required for long-stay foreigners. Travel to conflict-affected townships is restricted and requires permission, and permission is frequently refused. Since the 2024 activation of conscription, young Myanmar nationals have faced departure controls and overseas-worker processing has been altered, which affects employers relying on Myanmar labour migration. Anyone planning travel should verify current restrictions rather than rely on the statutory text.