MODERATOR UPDATE: Here are links to important information regarding visas, hotels, etc. In the interest of our users, this first post will be updated periodically to keep the information current. If you would like to add information, please send a PM to jpdx. Please scroll down for the original first post.
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Visa regulations for Myanmar (updated by janetdoe)
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RGN Meetup Thread (organized by jason8612)
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Yangon and Myanmar Hotel Recommendations
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Crash course for ST benefits from the KE F jumbo (what to do with all those miles?)
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Positioning to RGN re KE F jumbo
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Original First Post:
Many airlines loaded these crazy business fares from RGN to all over the US and Canada.
Maybe somebody could take advantage of it.
Some examples:
1 TG 304D 14MAY RGNBKK SS1 950A 1145A * MO E
2 NH5966C 14MAY BKKHND SS1 220P 1030P * MO E
OPERATED BY THAI AIRWAYS INTL
3 NH1006C 15MAY HNDLAX SS1 1205A 605P-* TU/MO E
RGN TG X/BKK NH X/TYO NH LAX M31.37COW NUC31.37END ROE818.0
FARE MMK 25661 EQU USD 31.00 TAX 16.70US TAX 5.00XA TAX 7.00XY
TAX 5.50YC TAX 10.00MM TAX 24.60SW TAX 340.90YQ TOT USD 440.70
FARES LAST UPDATED 30APR 6:56 PM
>$D1SEPRGNSFO:USDĪC
RGN-SFO SAT-01SEP12
MPM 9499 PA 13668 AT
TAXES/FEES NOT INCLUDED
PUBLIC FARES
RATE USED IS BSR 1 MMK - 0.0012167 USD
USD CURRENCY FARES EXIST
CX FARE FARE C AP MIN/ SEASONS...... MR GI DT
USD BASIS MAX
1 AC 14.00 J J M PA
2 KE 21.00 C C M PA
3 KE 27.00 J J M PA
FARES LAST UPDATED 30APR 6:56 PM
>$D1SEPRGNNYC:USDĪC
RGN-NYC SAT-01SEP12
MPM 11296 AT 10512 PA
TAXES/FEES NOT INCLUDED
PUBLIC FARES
RATE USED IS BSR 1 MMK - 0.0012167 USD
USD CURRENCY FARES EXIST
CX FARE FARE C AP MIN/ SEASONS...... MR GI DT
USD BASIS MAX
1 AI 23.00 J J M AT
2 DL 92.00R CFFMM C + M AT
3 DL 92.00R JFFMM J + M AT
FARES LAST UPDATED 30APR 6:56 PM
>$D1SEPRGNYVR:USDĪC
RGN-YVR SAT-01SEP12
MPM 8755 PA
TAXES/FEES NOT INCLUDED
PUBLIC FARES
RATE USED IS BSR 1 MMK - 0.0012167 USD
USD CURRENCY FARES EXIST
CX FARE FARE C AP MIN/ SEASONS...... MR GI DT
USD BASIS MAX
1 DL 13.00 CEB C + /12M M PA
2 KE 21.00 C C M PA
3 KE 27.00 J J M PA
RGN Visa Links
Standard Tourist Visa for Arrival by Air:
Tourist visas are valid 90 days from issuance. They are valid for a maximum stay of 28 days and there are small fees if you overstay.
Tourist visas are good for single entry only. There is some dispute over whether you can remain airside without using your visa. People doing quick turns or back-to-back trips are expected to have problems getting multiple Visas. As explained by Shareholder, the problem is for those with return tickets (and multiple ones) that require re-entry to Myanmar within a day or two of departure. Since one cannot have more than one visa issued at a time, the airline flying you back may not let you board their flight to an intermediate airport unless you can show them a valid Myanmar visa. As the visas are for a single entry, each time you enter the country you need a new visa. The one issued in advance will only cover one's arrival into the country to catch the first leg of these flights. rankourabu provided one possible solution here, that involves an overnight layover en route to RGN. Spiff explains why it would work here.
The Visa on Arrival program (with no pre-arrangements) was canceled/suspended due to elections in 2010. It may still be available from CAN or REP, check with your airline.
What do I do to get my Tourist Visa?
More than 3 months out?
Don't apply yet. Visas are only valid for 90 days after issue.
Less than 3 months out?
Wait for e-visa system to launch "any day now". Stop waiting when your trip is 3-4 weeks away and use a traditional visa application.
E-Visa (Not officially active or launched - waiting for "green light" from govt)
Update - E-Visa website has been modified and now contains the message "Visa application is under maintenance. Official launch will be coming very soon."
3-4 weeks out?
Use a traditional embassy visa application by FedEx which takes 10 business days (in the US) and requires your original passport.
List of Myanmar Embassies
You may also use a visa service to coordinate and simplify the process for a fee. HansGolden says his agency uses these people because they have excellent customer service and have fixed many problems for his customers.
3+ weeks out and don't want to surrender your passport?
Pay an extra $40 for Pre-Arranged Visa on Arrival:
http://www.myanmarvisa.com/ - I chose this one but cannot report results yet
http://www.myanmarevisa.com/myanmar-visa-point1.htm - If anyone has feedback on this one, PM me.
1-3 weeks out?
Pay for an expediter like myanmarvisa.com to rush your application.
Less than 1 week out?
Plan to use an embassy in SE Asia with quick turnaround time. The most common ones are BKK, HKG, and SIN. Be sure and allow sufficient stopover time for processing, and search online to hear the practical experiences of people who have used this process before.
Embassies with quick service include:
BKK (same day possible for expedite fees)
SIN (three business days required)
HKG (may have same-day or one-day service)
Berlin 3-4 days
Other Visa Ideas/Sources (debunked or unverified)
*Myanmar visa by shuttle/boat from Phuket (Thailand). This idea is presented as a way to extend your Thai visa, but it looks like a creative FTer might be able to adapt the technique. RustingInSeattle reports, "Unless it has changed, the Ranong visa is just a very short visa (1 or 2 days) for Ranong-only. I don't think it is valid to go further into Burma."
*If you wand a land transit into Myanmar, you need a pre-arranged visa and permit from a Myanmar travel agency.
*Several websites (even embassy websites) list tantalizing things like "transit visas" or "multiple entry visas". janetdoe has not been able to verify the existence or application process for any of these visas, despite calls to the US embassy and e-mails to the websites that list the visas. Please let us know if you have any evidence/anecdotes to the contrary.
Flyertalk Myanmar Threads
Myanmar visa / visa on arrival / best place to acquire elsewhere?
Flights within Myanmar
Yangon and Myanmar Hotel Recommendations Sought
Outside forums with practical and anecdotal information:
Lonely Planet
Trip Advisor