Myanmar travel info
General information for the traveller new to Myanmar.
Visas
All visitors to Myanmar must hold a valid passport and need to apply for a visa prior to arrival
in the country through a Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad. Tourist visas are issued for a
stay of 28 days. Entry into Myanmar must be made within 2 months of the date of issue and certain areas are off limits to tourists.
Customs
There are no limits on the amount of foreign currency that can be imported, although more than US$2,000 must be declared on entry. A declaration certificate will be issued and this must be kept for inspection on departure. Importing or exporting local currency is prohibited.
On arrival in the country, visitors must change a cash amount equivalent to US$200 into Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs). A few years ago FECs were the only form of payment accepted from visitors. Nowadays, they are used mainly for the purchase of plane/train tickets and for settling hotel bills. Many of the local moneychangers will change FECs into local currency. Officially, it is not possible to change FECs into foreign currency, although in reality many hotels in major cities will do this.
Jewellery, electrical devices and cameras must be declared on arrival.
Visitors can take the following into Myanmar duty free:
- Alcohol - 1 litre of wine or spirits
- Tobacco - 200 cigarettes
The export of Burmese antiques is prohibited.
Penalties for carrying or trafficking illegal drugs are extremely severe, ranging from long prison sentences to the death penalty.
Time
Myanmar time: GMT + 6.5
Currency
There are 3 currencies in circulation.
Local:
Kyat (Kt) - Check current exchange rates
100 pyas = 1 Kyat
Kt100,000 is known as a lakh
Kt10 million is known as a crore.
Notes issued: Kt500, Kt200, Kt100, Kt90, Kt45, Kt20, Kt15, Kt10, Kt5, Kt1, 50 pyas
Coins issued: Kt1, Kt50, Kt25, Kt10, Kt5, 1 pyas
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