Myanmar remains one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding — and most misunderstood — destinations. Getting a visa is straightforward, but the wider picture (where it’s safe to go, how you enter the country, and how long approval actually takes) has changed a lot since 2021, so it’s worth reading the whole process through rather than just skimming the fee.
Which website do I use to apply?
Apply through the official government portal at evisa.moip.gov.mm , run by Myanmar’s Ministry of Immigration and Population. Register an account, fill in the online application, upload a passport photo and your passport bio page, then pay the fee by card. Avoid third-party visa agencies charging above the official rate — the government portal is the only channel you need.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
A tourist e-Visa costs $50 USD; a business e-Visa costs $70 USD. Once approved, you’ll receive your e-Visa by email as a PDF — print it out, as you’ll need the physical copy to be stamped in on arrival (having it saved on your phone isn’t accepted). Officially, processing takes a minimum of three business days, but plenty of travellers report it can stretch out to two or three weeks depending on demand and nationality checks, so apply well ahead of your trip rather than relying on the fastest-case estimate. Card payments on the portal can also be temperamental — if your payment is rejected, it’s often not a problem with your card so much as the portal itself, and simply trying a different card usually resolves it.
What is the e-Visa valid for?
The tourist e-Visa is valid for 90 days from the date it’s issued, meaning you need to enter Myanmar within that window. Once you arrive, it permits a stay of up to 28 days. Visa-on-arrival is currently suspended, so the e-Visa (or a visa arranged in advance through an embassy) is the only realistic route in for most nationalities.
Where can I enter Myanmar?
Tourist e-Visa holders can enter by air through Yangon or Mandalay International Airport, or at the Nay Pyi Taw and Kawthaung entry points. Land border crossings are largely unavailable to tourists at the moment given the security situation in Myanmar’s border regions, so plan on flying in and out rather than overlanding from a neighbouring country.
Is Myanmar safe to travel right now?
This is the question worth spending the most time on. Several Western governments currently advise against all travel to Myanmar, reflecting the ongoing conflict between the military government and armed resistance groups that has continued since the 2021 coup. That said, the situation on the ground is far more localised than a blanket advisory suggests — the well-established circuit of Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake sees a steady flow of travellers and has remained broadly stable and accessible, while border regions and areas of active fighting are genuinely unsafe and off-limits. This is exactly the kind of destination where travelling with a knowledgeable guide who understands where the current lines are makes the difference between an incredible trip and an unnecessary risk — independent travel outside the main circuit isn’t something we’d recommend right now.
Do we offer Myanmar tours?
Yes — we run trips to Myanmar covering Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and beyond. Take a look at our current Myanmar tours for upcoming dates and itineraries.
How can I book a tour?
Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll help you plan your Myanmar trip.
