Last updated: 23 Oct 2025
Myanmar
About
| Myanmar sits on the Indian Ocean at the crossroads of India and China. One of South East Asia's largest and most diverse countries, it stretches from the islands of the Andaman Sea in the south, right up to the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. Bagan, the first capital of the Myanmar Empire, is the main tourist attraction. One of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, it is situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River and contains over 2000 well preserved pagodas and temples of the 11th to 13th centuries over an area of 42 square kilometres. Myanmar is a land of beauty and charm, only recently emerging into the modern world. |
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| Capital: | Nay Pyi Taw (NYT) |
| Currency: | Kyat (MMK) pronounced 'Chat'. Only the following currencies can be exchanged: US Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Pound Sterling, Malaysian Dollars, Euros and Australian Dollars. US Dollars are widely accepted and it is recommended that you bring US Dollars with you. They need to be in pristine condition (unmarked and fold-free). |
| Language: | Burmese. Many local dialects and languages are also spoken. English is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 95 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +6½ (4½ hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | November - February |
| Best for: | Ancient Temples, Pristine Coastline |
| Plugs: | 220-230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two- and three-pin and square three-pin plugs are used; some hotel sockets can accept multiple types. If you require a converter, it is best to bring it with you as they are not widely available. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. Bottled water is available. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. Doctors will require payment in cash. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Respect for tradition and religion should be shown. Locals will appreciate attempts to speak their language. The right hand should be used for eating, greeting and handing over items. Shoes and socks should be removed before entering a religious building. Dress should be modest – although shorts are worn by some locals, long trousers are preferable. If wearing shorts, they should be cut below the knee. Many men and women still wear longgyis, a sarong-type garment. Monks and nuns should not be touched. Burmese are highly superstitious. Be respectful when taking photographs, especially of women. Tuck away your feet when sitting and do not point with your feet. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Do not photograph military installations, personnel or airports. There are harsh prison sentences for drug trafficking. Homosexuality is illegal. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans – some areas may be closed to visitors due to conflicts. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of top-end hotels and restaurants. ATM’s are becoming increasingly popular since 2012, but should not be relied upon. When exchanging money, do not hand over your cash until you receive the Kyat. Check each note that you have received individually, as notes that are torn will not be accepted in Myanmar. Some travellers avoid Burmese food for their evening meal as the curries are cooked in the morning and left to stand for the day. Chinese meals are cooked to order. Avoid discussing politics and avoid any political protests or gatherings. Exercise caution when visiting border posts or any area with a strong military presence. If shopping, local shops and markets are cheaper than the government-run state shops. Cellphones can be taken into the country, but will not work. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be taken into Myanmar without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco • 2L of alcohol • 150ml of perfume • Other goods to the value of US$500. Officially, you must declare valuable jewellery; failure to do so may result in you being refused permission to export it on departure. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Counterfeit currencies and goods, pornography, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, playing cards, and goods bearing the image of the national flag, the emblem of Buddha or the pagodas of Myanmar. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Arms and ammunitions, pornography, antiques, endangered species, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. You can export gems, jewellery and silverware purchased from authorised shops, but you should obtain paperwork for anything of significant age or value. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
329 Julius Jeppe Street, Waterkloof, 0121
Tel: 012 341 2556
E-mail: embmya@gmail.com | pretoria-embassy@mofa.gov.mm
Consular hours: 09h30-16h00 Mon - Fri
Visa application: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (submissions)
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 4, 29; Feb 12; Mar 2, 13, 27; Apr 13-22; May 1; Jun 7; Jul 9, 19; Oct 5-8; Nov 4, 14; Dec 19, 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1-2, 4; Feb 12-13, 16-17; Mar 2, 27; Apr 11-19, 30; May 1; Jul 19, 29; Oct 25-27; Nov 23-24; Dec 4, 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Visas can be applied for online at: evisa.moip.gov.mm if you are arriving at one of the below ports:
- Yangon International Airport
- Mandalay International Airport
- Nay Pyi Taw International Airport
- Kawthaung International Land Border Checkpoint
If you are visiting Myanmar via cruise, please contact your tour agent for Pre-arrangement Visa on Arrival. You will not be able to use eVisa to enter Myanmar via seaport.
If you are staying at a mediation centre, you will have to apply for a religious visa at a Myanmar Embassy or Consulate near your location.
REQUIREMENTS (TOURIST VISA)
- Your passport validity must be at least (6) months.
- You have to upload one COLOR PHOTO (4.6 cm X 3.8 cm) taken during the last (3) months.
- You have to upload your Passport Bio-Data Page.
- A proof of return ticket from Myanmar must be attached to the application.
- Proof of hotel booking must be attached to the application. Tourists must stay in registered hotels, motels, inns, guest house, and resort during your stay in Myanmar.
- Visa, Master, JCB credit cards for the Online Visa payment.
- The Inbound Travel Accident Insurance Policy with COVID-19 coverage purchased from Myanma Insurance must be attached to the application. (If they can submit the health insurance document from the relevant country, government or internationally recognized insurance companies, they can exempt from purchasing COVID-19 health insurance from Myanma insurance. If they cannot present any relevant document, they shall purchase the COVID-19 health insurance from Myanma Insurance. Detailed information can be obtained at the Myanma Insurance's website (www.mminsurance.gov.mm)).
REQUIREMENTS (BUSINESS VISA): Please refer: evisa.moip.gov.mm/home/noticetobusiness
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Upon arrival at Myanmar Immigration checkpoint, present eVisa approval letter and passport to Immigration officer and get the passport stamped.
- Foreigners shall submit a health insurance to the respective health authorities upon arrival to Myanmar.
- Travelers shall submit a Health Declaration Form to the respective health authorities upon arrival to Myanmar.
NOTE: There are Restricted Areas for Foreigners and Tourist travelling in the Country. For more information, please visit mip.gov.mm. For information on restricted areas, please go to mip.gov.mm/RestricetdArea and tourism.gov.mm/mm/traveller-tips.
Visa Processing Time
The processing time is minimum 3 working days.
Visa Validity
The validity of eVisa approval letter is 90 days from the issued date.
Length of stay is from the date of arrival in Myanmar. Single-entry only.
Tourist: 28 days
Business: 70 days
Visa Cost
Tourist Visa: US$ 50.00 (28 days)
Business Visa: US$ 70.00 (70 days)
- The visa processing fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Bangkok, Thailand
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
