For the uninitiated, most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Myanmar.

As of Aug 1, 2018, visa-free travel is only permitted for countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Holders of diplomatic and official/service passports of Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam do not require a visa for Myanmar.

Beautiful Sunset at Hpa-an

Adding on to the visa-free entry list of Myanmar next month are Japan and South Korea. Japanese and South Korean visitors will be able to enter by air and land without a visa.

However, as they will be required to show a return air ticket, this would be an issue for those planning to leave Myanmar via land.

According to the ministry’s data, the number of Japanese visitors to the Southeast Asian country, including those on a business trip and for other purposes, has steadily increased in recent years, topping the 100,000 marks in 2016.

In 2017, nearly 101,500 Japanese visited Myanmar, up 0.7 per cent year-on-year.

Travellers from China, however, will still have to pay US$50 for visas upon arrival at airports in Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw, This includes those from Hong Kong, Macau, as well as mainland China.

Sein Tharlyaung Pagoda at Bago, Myanmar

Despite the fee, this is considered an ease of visa requirements for Chinese tourist groups. Chinese travellers previously had to apply for visas in advance.

Tourists are also required to possess at least US$1,000 in cash. If they don’t have that cash on hand, Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will consider accepting credit cards and other means to check their financial standing.