Myanmar (Burma) travel guide

Overview

Travel tip

It's advisable to prepare local currency. While credit cards may be accepted in major cities, cash is necessary in smaller towns.

Before you go

Myanmar (Burma) generally requires most travelers to check visa requirements in advance for short tourist stays; some nationalities may use an eVisa or enjoy visa-free entry, but this depends on nationality. Electronic travel authorizations such as ESTA, K-ETA, UK ETA, eTA, or ETA are separate from pre-arrival online arrival/customs registration systems, so check whether Myanmar has any separate online declaration requirement for your trip. Paper arrival cards may still be requested on arrival by air, and cash above the common declaration threshold of the equivalent of USD 10,000 is often subject to declaration, though you should confirm the latest customs rules.

Entry procedure

1. Check passport and visa

   Before immigration, confirm your passport validity and visa type. Myanmar’s entry rules vary by nationality, so do not assume that a flight ticket alone guarantees entry.

2. Fill out the arrival card

   You may be asked for a paper arrival card or declaration form on arrival, so complete it carefully if it is distributed on the plane or at the airport. Keep your first hotel address and contact details ready, as these may be requested.

3. Complete checks and biometrics

   At immigration, after your passport is checked, you may be asked to complete biometric procedures such as facial verification or fingerprinting if required. Answer questions briefly about your purpose of travel, length of stay, and return flight.

4. Clear customs

   Myanmar can be strict about prohibited or restricted items, so check the rules for tobacco, e-cigarettes, medicines, foreign currency, and food products. If you have something to declare, it is safer to declare it at the customs counter rather than pass through a green channel.

Exit procedure

1. Prepare documents before departure

   Check your ticket, passport, and visa validity first, and keep any hotel checkout receipts or stay-related documents if needed. Myanmar may also scrutinize your passport and stay status on departure, just as on entry.

2. Go through departure control

   At the departure checkpoint, present your passport and boarding pass; an exit stamp may be placed or your record may be checked. If overstay is suspected, you may be asked additional questions, so make sure you do not exceed your permitted stay.

3. Check customs, cash, and refunds

   If you are carrying goods near or above duty-free limits, or cash that must be declared, check customs rules before departure. VAT/GST refunds, if available, are usually handled at a dedicated airport counter, but you should confirm the latest eligibility rules for Myanmar.

Cities in Myanmar (Burma)