Burma forum

If you are applying for a tourist visa, you'll have to go to the Bangkok Embassy in person.

You'll have to bring a photocopy of your passport info page, 3 photos and be prepared to be asked about your work history. If you apply on Monday morning (for instance), the visa will be ready Wednesday afternoon at 3pm.

Especially if you are American, you need to apply in person, just as anotherlostsoul writes. I have seen agents in BKK say they can get it but recently they have had to give the fees and passports back. Don't waste your time with them, just go yourself. The itinerary is unnecessary unless you are on a tour,

however do have a return ticket handy.

Just write a prominent hotel in Yangon like the Traders or Sedona.
They are a bit picky about people who work in Thailand, bring your work permit.
It's easy they are friendly, don't worry.

The best way to get a visa for Burma is to personally go to the embassy what every country your in. Going to any embassy the earlier the better.Bring your passport, cash, and passport photos. When you fill out the form just say your there for business, prepare a name of a hotel or guest house where you might be staying. Normally you can pick it up the next day. Have a safe trip. Eidoos77.

HI,
We are hoping to go to Burma in Oct 2011- however we keep hearing that American passport holders are being rejected about 80% of the time- supposedly UK passport holders and Italian are also having difficulties- has anyone else heard of this? two different reputable travel agencies in Chiang Mai gave us this information- we want to try our luck at the embassy in BKK, but wonder if anyone else has heard of this problem
Thanks,
chris

I'd love to hear more about the visa on arrival option for US citizens who are visiting. Thanks-

Dear ching,
whoever you are you can apply for Myanmar visa at BKK myanmar embassy easily.
you should not apply with BKK visa agent, it's waste for your time and money.
And you can take itinerary roughly for more easy.
Example roughly itinerary:
Day - 1 - arrival at Yangon
overnight at Yangon
Day - 2 - Yangon - Bagan
overnight at Bagan
Day - 3 - Bagan
overnight at Bagan
Day - 4 - Bagan - Mandalay
overnight at Mandalay
Day - 5 - Mandalay
overnight at Mandalay
Day - 6 - Mandalay - Yangon
overnight at Yangon
Day - 7 - Departure

you can adjust itinerary with your visiting days and spending time.

good luck!

Here's an article with detailed info on visa for Burma. http://www.travelwireasia.com/901/travel-therapist-how-to-get-a-visa-for-burma-myanmar/ Hope its helpful and not too late. Enjoy

I applIed for and got my burma vIsa today In bangkok. you have to go to myanmars embassy, but a lot of cab drIvers dont know where It Is and the address and phone numbers lIsted onlIne are Incorrect. once you fInd your way there, make sure you go to apply between 9am and 12 pm monday to frI otherwIse theywont be open. you need 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your passport as well. you fIll out the applIcatIon form In whIch It asks where you wIll stay, what dates youll be In the country and your 2 prevIous occupatIons. you hand In the applIcatIon and for 1260 baht you can go back between 330 and 430pm to pIck It up. I dIdnt get asked my route or anythIng, It was easy. the hardest part was gettIng cabs there In such heavy traffIc. I am a canadIan cItIzen but I didnt see nyone of other natIonalItIes havIng any Issues whIle I was there. sorry about the poor grammar and capItal I's everywhere my tablet Is beIng weIrd.

It's easy to get to the embassy in Bangkok on the skytrain too. Detailed instructions here:
http://travelhappy.info/thailand/myanmar-visa-in-bangkok-how-to-get-it/

I was in Myanmar in December 2010 and have just got back from my latest trip there. I noticed some changes since my previous visit, eg. guidebooks will tell you to NOT to change money at the airport because the exchange rates are incredibly bad. This is no longer true. In fact, the exchange rates at the airport were actually slightly better than at Bogyoke market. Someone told me they'd seen bank exchange booths in Yangon offering slightly better rates too. I have no idea whether it is PC or not to change money at these official places, but the rates are no longer ludicrously low compared to black market rates.

Internet websites seemed less tightly controlled this time as well. Last year I couldn't access my hotmail account at all but this year it was as easy to access as gmail.... when the internet was working.

There were more foreign tourists about and the popular guesthouses were often full, especially in Yangon. Probably best to book accommodation there (you can usually do it by email). You won't be able to use your own cellphone to book rooms once you're in the country but the guesthouse you're staying will usually call ahead for you for free if you ask.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/ is worth looking at before you go to keep up with the latest news developments and they also have the current $ exchange rate in Yangon on the site.