If you live in the UK the only Embassy of Myanmar is in London. According to their website applications can be made personally, or by a representative, between 10am and noon. Alternatively you can do it via post, as we did. The latter method is actually pretty simple and smooth but I failed to fully get all the necessary info so, to avoid you the same pain, I wrote down a postal visa for dummies guide. For people like me who fear bureaucracy.
What you’ll need
- A filled copy of your visa application form (download the PDF)
- 2 recently taken passport photos (make sure it adheres to the UK passport photo standard)
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- £14 cash
Application via post
If you’re sending your application via post you’ll need all of the above plus the following:
- The £14 fee has to be sent via postal order (addressed to “Embassy of Myanmar”)
- A pre-paid special delivery envelope 500gr stamp (so they can send you the passports back).
The parcel has to be sent to Embassy of Myanmar, 19A Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
The total cost of the operation will have to include the cost of a postal order (£3.50), the secure delivery (£7) and the pre-paid envelope (£7.15). You might consider spending a couple of days in London ans visit some museums while you’re there.
eVisa
Until some time ago it was possible to apply for a eVisa only if you entered the country via Yangoon but now, minutes after sending our application via post, this was divulged:
We are pleased to announce that eVisa is now extended to Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay International Airports. You may use your eVisa to enter Myanmar through Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay International Airports even if you have chosen Yangon International Airport as port of entry.
The eVisa can be processed online via this website and costs USD50. Which is more than the £14 requested by the embassy in London but, considering the extra costs listed above, it actually turns out to be cheaper.
Visa on Arrival
Visas can be issued upon arrival in Yangoon only for citizens of the following countries:
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Denmark, France, Germanu, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, USA
It looks to me it’s mainly for business purposes, here you can find all the details: http://www.mip.gov.mm/portfolio/the-required-terms-and-conditions-for-visa-on-arrival/
Embassy of Myanmar in London
Surely we were a bit worried to put our passports in an envelope, together with money and the other stuff needed, and hope they would come back with a visa. Maybe it’s because we’re Italian, therefore naturally suspicious of mail service and bureaucracy, for there is always something missing between you and whatever you want to obtain.
As a matter of fact there was something missing: the pre-paid envelope. But someone form the Embassy of Myanmar called me asking to send it to her attention so that they could send us the passport back. Moreover they’ve been pretty helpful when I called them (phone: 0207 1480740) asking for more details. We finally got our passports back within a week.
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