Myanmar welcomes more countries to visit; expands VOA list

In an attempt to raise its tourism appeal worldwide, Myanmar has added more countries to its visa-on-arrival list to make it easier for tourists to visit the country.  Effective since the beginning of October, tourists Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland are eligible for a visa-on-arrival (VOA) at Myanmar’s Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports. 

Nationals of the listed countries do not need to secure pre-arranged approval before arriving at the airport as was the case in the past. They can apply for a visa at the VOA counters at any of the designated airports. The fee for the visa on arrival is USD50. 

Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong and Macau nationals were granted visa-free entry last year. Indian and Chinese nationals from mainland China were also granted visas-on-arrival (VOA).

During the second quarter of this year, the tourism industry in Myanmar witnessed an increase in arrivals from all the nations that were either eligible for visa-free
entry or a visa-on-arrival.

Myanmar Tourism Marketing Chairperson May Myat Mon Win said: “We do hope that all these new regulations to ease access to Myanmar, will lead to more travellers from around the world discovering Myanmar’s unique culture, nature and most of all the hospitality of the people.”