Dawei

Passport validity requirements

To enter Myanmar, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Myanmar-British dual nationals

Myanmar does not recognise dual nationality. If you hold dual nationality, Myanmar authorities may treat you as a Myanmar citizen. This limits the consular assistance the UK government may be able to provide. If you are arrested or detained as a dual national, Myanmar authorities may refuse UK consular staff permission to visit or assist you.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Myanmar. If you must apply for and receive your visa before travelling. You cannot obtain a visa on arrival.

If you have any queries about visas or entry requirements, check with your nearest Myanmar embassy.

Applying for a visa

You can apply for a tourist e-visa online.

To apply for a business e-visa you need to be sponsored by a registered Myanmar company or a registered Chamber of Commerce association. Submit the proof of the invitation with your visa application in the form of a letter personally addressed to you, along with a copy of the company’s registration certificate. The letter must state the purpose and timeframe of your visit.

Non-governmental organisations are not eligible to sponsor visas.

If you overstay your visa, you will be liable to pay a fine and could face detention.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Myanmar, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Myanmar guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Myanmar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Myanmar

Myanmar is largely a cash-based society. Expect to rely on cash for most of your stay. There is significant disruption to banking services. Many ATMs do not accept UK or international bank cards and some banks have limits on daily withdrawals. Electronic payments and transfers are mostly working, but many commercial outlets will only accept cash. Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard.

If you plan to bring more than 10,000 US dollars-worth of any foreign currency, you must declare this to customs on arrival or risk imprisonment.

If you have to pay a visa overstay fine or pay for excess baggage on departure, you will need to pay in US dollars.

Once you’re in Myanmar it is possible to change US dollars into Kyat, including at banks. However, some money exchanges have closed due to pressure from the authorities. Check your US dollars are in good condition, with no pen marks, folds or tears. Exchange counters prefer high-denomination bills and they typically inspect all notes carefully.

Due to concerns over counterfeit money, exchange counters may refuse dollars with the letters AB and CB at the start of the serial number (top left-hand corner of the note).

If you want to pay for hotels or restaurants with a credit or debit card, phone ahead to check this will be possible.

You cannot import gold or gold bullion into Myanmar for trading and risk arrest for doing so. On arrival, you  must declare any valuable articles including gold, gems and jewellery with customs.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Myanmar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Emergency services in Myanmar

Ambulance: 192         

Fire: 191

Police: 199

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Myanmar
• dealing with a death in Myanmar
• being arrested or imprisoned in Myanmar
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Myanmar on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Chin State
• Kachin State
• Kayah State
• Kayin Sate
• Mon State
• Rakhine State
• Sagaing and Magway regions
• Tanintharyi Region, excluding Myeik township, and the archipelago and townships south of Tanintharyi township
• Shan State North
• North Mandalay Region; the townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin
• East of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Bago region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Shan State South and East
• Mandalay Region
• Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township
• the rest of Bago region
• the townships of Kyangin, Myanaung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Thabaung and Pathein in Ayeyarwady region

The conflict is Myanmar is increasingly volatile. The security situation may deteriorate at short notice and the military regime can introduce travel restrictions at any time. Consider your travel plans carefully.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Detention and arrest

There is a risk of arbitrary detention and arrest, particularly for journalists and human rights activists. The criminal justice process followed in such cases falls below international standards. The death penalty is in place in Myanmar.

Myanmar does not recognise dual nationality. If you are a dual national with Myanmar nationality you may be treated as a Myanmar national by local authorities.

In February 2024, Myanmar authorities announced that Myanmar men and women could be required, by law, to serve in the armed forces, and has since started conscription. Length of service can depend on criteria such as age, occupation, and whether there is a state of emergency in place. If you are a British-Myanmar dual national, holding a British passport may not exempt you from this law, as Myanmar does not recognise dual nationality.

Myanmar’s defamation laws give broad scope for individuals to bring arbitrary charges, which could result in criminal penalties, including a prison sentence. Foreigners have been subject to criminal investigations for acts such as posting a critical review of a hotel online.

If you’re arrested and convicted of a crime in Myanmar, you can expect a long prison sentence. Conditions in detention are extremely poor. Pre-trial detention can also last many months.

The legal process in Myanmar is unpredictable, lacks transparency and is open to interference from powerful political and business interests. The investigation and trial process falls far below the standard expected in the UK. There are limits to the assistance the British Embassy can offer to those with concerns about the fairness of their trial, as we are unable to interfere in the legal processes of a host country.

Religious customs

Although primarily Buddhist, many different religions are represented in Myanmar.  When visiting religious sites, respect religious customs. Shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops can cause offence. You should remove shoes and socks before entering a pagoda or monastery.

Under Myanmar law, insulting religion is a prosecutable offence. Insulting religion is a broad term and can include any disrespectful depiction or image of Buddha or other religious representation. This includes tattoos of Buddha.

Illegal drugs

Penalties for drug trafficking include a prison sentence of a minimum 15 years or even the death penalty.

For possession of illegal drugs in Myanmar, you could get a fine and a prison sentence of a minimum 5 years to a maximum of 10 years, regardless of the quantity of drugs.

Taking photos and using drones

Do not take photographs or videos of the police, demonstrations, military installations or military personnel.

There are strict regulations around bringing in and using drones in Myanmar. Using a drone around government buildings, religious buildings or even tourist sites can result in criminal penalties, including a possible prison sentence. Do not attempt to enter Myanmar with a drone unless you have the necessary permits in place before you travel.

Drone warfare is widespread across the country, and those using drones are at risk of being associated with groups involved in the conflict.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Myanmar for men and women, although in practice these laws are not consistently enforced. If convicted, the punishment can be up to life imprisonment. There have been reports of police using threats of prosecution to extort bribes. This is alleged to include arbitrary arrest and detention.

Public attitudes towards LGBT+ people can be mixed. Up until recently, there have been increasingly large Pride festivals and growing visibility of the LGBT+ community, including gay bars and clubs. However, this has reduced since the coup. Public displays of affection, whether heterosexual or LGBT+, are frowned upon in Myanmar culture.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

Myanmar is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Over 800 species of animals and plants are banned from international trade and a further 30,000 are strictly controlled by legislation. The restrictions cover some exotic souvenirs, such as those made from turtle shell.

Local authorities have a particular interest in and are monitoring the importation, exportation, possession, acquisition and trading of gold, gems and jewellery. You risk arrest for doing so. Make sure you check with relevant government agencies and obtain necessary import and export permits before entering or leaving Myanmar.