Apr 23 2011
Getting a visa to Burma in Bangkok
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Getting a visa for Burma (Myanmar) in Bangkok can seem difficult as there is a lot of conflicting information out there, but the process isn’t quite as hard as some would have you believe. Getting the visa is fairly straightforward, but making sure that you have all of the necessary documents available is important.
Also required: a large bucket of patience. The Burmese, inside that country across the Thai border, are very friendly and welcoming. The Burmese at the Embassy, on the other hand, seem to have been specially selected to be furious about having to perform their jobs. Be forewarned that losing one’s temper makes the process harder.
The current national flag
As of the date of posting, the visa-on-arrival program has been suspended so getting a visa before departure is required. The officially required documents to get a visa are:
A passport with six months of validity
Two passport-sized photos
A completed visa application
A completed employment history
810 baht
Processing takes two business days (i.e. submit forms on Monday morning, visa is ready for pick up Wednesday afternoon). A same-day visa is available; proof is required in the form of airline tickets departing within 48 hours and costs 1,250 baht.
Arrive at the visa office early as only so many visas are processed each day and you need to get a number. The visa office opens 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00. Upon arrival, line up for the forms (not available online) and immediately fill them out. The employment history is designed to weed out possible aid workers or journalists entering on a tourist visa; if you are an aid worker or a journalist (or have things in your employment history that might suggest that you once were or possibly will be) you might want to consider some creative revision of your past. Your correspondent has enjoyed a long career as a carpenter and brewer. Return to the window for a number – applicants are only given a number when your application is complete. Wait until your number is called, and then proceed to be interviewed and pay the visa fee.
Most applicants are not asked any serious questions in the interview (it happens at the window, not in a locked room in the basement) but might be required to confirm departure dates or airline tickets – bring copies of your itinerary. Applicants are given a receipt with a date stamped on it. Return to the embassy on the day indicated and pick up your visa, process complete.
Embassy of Myanmar (Burma) in Bangkok
132 Sathorn Nua Rd Bangkok
Visa office open 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00, Mon-Fri
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On my last visit to Myanmar in Dec 2006/January 2007 I had an agent in Sikhumvit do this for me, it cost me 2,000 baht, but it was all done in 24 hours. Isn’t this possible any more?
It is possible- just make sure the agent gives you the work history to fill out as well or your application will be rejected.
I am going to Bangkok a week before my friend. Is it possible for me to get visas to Myanmar for both of us, if I have a copy of his passport, passport photos, and work history – or does he have to be there also? Both ways, embassy or agency, are fine to me.
It’s not possible with out the actual passport in hand. Copies are not accepted.
So if a friend took my passport would it be possible?
Based on a visit to the Embassy today, they appear to have changed their hours so that Applications are mornings only (0900 – 1200) and Visa pick up is afternoon only (1530 to 1630).
Went to embassy April 20, 2012 – opening hours posted on door – 9:00am to 12:00pm visa application and 3:30pm-4:30 pm visa pick-up. Monday to Friday.
[...] Bangkok. It costs 810 baht and takes 48 hours (or you can pay 1250 baht for a same day visa). See Travelfish for details on how to apply. We haven’t heard of anyone being refused a visa but in the work [...]
It’s easy:
1/ Go to the embassy
2/ Get the two sided application form from window 4. 1 side is the application, the second side is your employment history.
3/ Complete the form and go back to window 4 for a ticket number. You also need two passport photos and a copy of your passport (and obviously your passport).
4/ Wait until your number is called, and then hand in your documents, pay THB810 (or more if you want a same day visa, but you must have proof of travel)
5/ Return to window 4 when they tell you the visa will be ready. Usually 2 working days.
Done…!
There are a lot of rumours about getting a Myanmar visa in Bangkok, and a lot of uncertainty, so here’s my experience:
Applying for the visa:
They take applications for visas from 9am-midday. Check that it’s not a Burmese or Thai holiday.
We arrived at the embassy at around 10 am (it’s easy to walk to from Surasak BTS). We ignored everyone saying to arrive 2 hours before opening time. Our thinking was, if everyone is doing that the queue will be worse early, and we had an extra day so were able to go get the visa the next day if things didn’t work out.
When we arrived we saw there was zero queue, so we went straight to the copy shop down the road to get our passport copies (you can also get photos there) and filled in the forms. Didn’t put anything remotely suspicious (like writer) in the work history.
Went back, got the number from counter 4 to join the queue. Our number was called in another 2 minutes, paid the fee and we were done.
NOTE: We still don’t know if this rumour of them limiting visas each day is true, in which case the advice to turn up early does still apply. We saw no sign of it though, and we’d recommend to turn up later like we did as long as you have a backup and could go again the next day if necessary. Also note it’s the end of September, not high season yet.
Collecting the visa:
You only get a 1 hour window to collect the visa – 3.30pm-4.30pm (weekdays) 2 days later, 1 day later, or same day depending on what you pay for.
We went 2 days later. We got there about 3.00pm and there was a queue going down the road, and the visa office doors weren’t open yet. They opened bang on 3.30pm and were SO fast to process everyone’s visas when we went in.
Even though we were quite a way down the queue, we had our visa in 5 minutes. Just make sure to queue at the correct counter, as indicated on your receipt.
Hope this helps someone!
I was relieved to read all the above indicating that it is no big deal to get the visa from Bangkok. Just one a couple of questions if anybody can provide:
1. Is there a specific form for employment history?
2. Do retired persons have to indicate employment history?
Thanks for your answers.
Regards to the employment history, do we need a letter from our employers?
Make sure the background in your passort photos are perfectly white! I had off white and they made me do it again, which was being really picky. A small shop down the road makes it’s living from photocopying/photos etc that people getting Burmese visas use throughout the day
Do i need an airline ticket when i apply for the visa? If i don’t know if and how quick i will get the visa, i would not want to book a flight yet. That i would certainly do when i have received the visa. Do they except that idea?
One more thing: did i understand everything allright, is it possible to get a visa at the bangkok airport? Under what conditions? Where?
Thank you for your help.
Ruth’s directions are spot on. Just put my application in this morning (10 April 2013). I got there at about 8.30 and while there was a bit of a queue I was finished by 9.45.
There were signs saying that the Embassy is closed all of next week 15 to 19 April 2013.
Cheers
I have the same question as Sebastion, do I need to get a plane ticket first before i can apply for a visa? Also when you get the visa how long do you have before you have to enter Burma as I am going to Chiangmai for a month before going to Burma.
Thanks