How To Get a Thai Visa in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar)

By Mark Wiens 80 Comments
Thai Visa in Yangon, Burma
Thai Visa in Yangon, Burma

The policies for getting a Thai Visa in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar) are slightly stricter than getting a Thai visa in a place like Savannakhet, Laos, but the overall procedure is quite easy if you have everything prepared ahead of time.

Yangon is not the complete ideal place for just a quick visa run, but a great place to get a Thai visa if you also have plans to do some traveling or hanging out in Burma (Myanmar).

Note: You must have a booked airplane flight ticket into Thailand in order to apply for a Thai visa in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar).

Tips for Getting a Thai Visa

Yangon, Burma (Myanmar)
Yangon, Burma (Myanmar)

What you will need:

IMPORTANT: If you do not bring these things to get your Thai visa in Yangon, you will be turned away and have to return (probably the next day). I know this first hand, because I showed up without a copy of my plane ticket, attempted to sweet talk my way into not needing it, and ended up having to come back the next morning to apply for the visa.

How to get a Thai Visa in Yangon

The process will take 2 business days.

Step 1

Day 1 – I arrived at the Thai embassy at about 8:30 am to just a few people waiting around on the outside of the gate. The gates open from 9 am to 11:30 to apply for the visa.

Step 2

Filled out my Thai visa application form and assembled all my documents to hand in my visa.

Step 3

You enter the first door (kind of like an entry little hut) and give your passport and application to the clerk sitting there. He will give you a small receipt with a number on it. Then you will need to wait on the benches outside the embassy until your number range is called.

Step 4

When you number is called you enter the real part of the Thai embassy, hand in all of your documents, and pay your visa fee, and are given a receipt for your passport and told to come back on the next business day to pick it up.

Step 5

Day 2: I returned the next day right at 2 pm to get my Thai visa with no problems at all – just basically walked in and got my passport. You can pick up your passport anytime from 2 pm – 5 pm.

Bus in Yangon
Yangon Transportation

Where is the Thai Embassy in Yangon

The Thai embassy is located just outside of town. I walked there from the center of Yangon a number of times (takes about 30 minutes), but it’s probably easier to jump in a taxi that should cost 1500 – 2000 Kyats.

The Yangon city bus also goes to the main road just outside of the Thai embassy, ask a tout and he should help you out!

94 Pyay Road
Yangon, Burma (Myanmar)


View Thai Embassy Yangon in a larger map

If you are traveling to Yangon, you might want to check out my important Myanmar travel information as well as search for a place to stay. Also, while you are in Yangon, take advantage of the wonderful food.

Check out these delicious Burmese cuisine dishes.

80 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • shan lay

    5 years ago

    tomorrow
    office off or not?

  • Judy

    7 years ago

    Yangon’s Thai Embassy requires US dollars, today $40, NOT 1000 Thai baht as stated on the website

  • Raymond Haasewinkel

    8 years ago

    Just got back myself and have something to ad. Went for a Non O visa so things are a bit different. They now charge in USD only. No copies of passport required. Pick up times next day from 1:30 till 3Pm only. Totally no problems at all and very friendly. NOTE: the for they give you is standard and NOT for NON O. Negotiate with them at the counter.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Raymond, thank you very much for the update, really appreciate it!

    • Ronnie Glynn

      7 years ago

      Did you do a visa in Myanmar

    • khun jop

      7 years ago

      without recommendation letter can we apply visa, cuz i have no experience on it.

    • Quency

      7 years ago

      Thanks for sharing this info. We plan to go to Yangon this may for volunteer visa. Need your help with few concerns: 1) what did you mean not standard for non-o? What non-o type did you apply? 2) what are the required documents? 3) how much the fee? 4) any recommendation of a family friendly hotel and itenrary? We have a toddler. Thanks a lot

      Concerns:

  • Angie

    8 years ago

    Hi Mark so are you Srilankan passport holder? cuz I think Srilankan cannot extend thai visa somewhere else except in Thai embassy CMB . If can would be a great news for my husband.Hope you still can read t
    this comment. Thx

  • Thomas

    8 years ago

    Thank you for all the information. I went to check holidays in Thailand and got a 404, page no longer is there. I searched and found this on Thai Holidays: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/thailand/

  • Mahammed Nazrul Alam

    8 years ago

    Sir,
    I am just want to visit Thailand and to Cambodia from Myanmar by air or to road. For this I need visa for this countries from Myanmar. Should I manage Visa from Myanmar? I have Bangladeshi passport.

  • Anny

    8 years ago

    Dear mark,
    Everything is great but I want made sure that visa to Thailand for Myanmar citizens easy to get or not for 2 months visa how we buy plain tickets if not get the visa and please need advice thanks.
    Anny.

  • ArneB

    9 years ago

    Hi, a little update about the process in Yangon for the Thai visa as of December 2014.

    My wife and I went to get our visa in Yangon after reading you excellent blog about this. When we arrived we found a very long line of people outside, and asked if this was normal. It turn out it is. Another European we met there had been in line since 7AM and the doors opens for the first applicant at 9:15AM. She was still a good way back in the line and probably came into the embassy around 10:30AM.

    It turns out they no longer use the two step procedure, but do it all at once. Once inside the embassy you will deliver your papers (application form, copy of passport, travel itinerary into Thailand) and passport. When this is approved by the clerc (and there is only one clerk operating this counter at any time) you will be asked to move to counter 2 (two steps to your left). In counter 2 you will pay the outstanding amount of your application (40$) and the you can go for the day. You can come back the next day for pickup between 1:30 and 3PM.Monday to Fridays

    They constantly counted the line and made sure thay could process the once left when the time closed to 12:00 when they closed it of for the day. We did not see anyone get turned away as we got into the embassy about ten minutes short of the doors closing.

    So if there is anything to mark:
    – Get there early or prepare to stand a long time in line in the heat
    – Have all papers ready and forms filled corretly.
    – Crispy dollar bills is the only form of payment. Is one corner of the bill folded? Not good enough in Yangon.
    – Bring water – it’s hot outside in the sun.

    And to close off, don’t do as we did. 🙂 We missed the three month validity of the Visa by 3 days. We came a Friday and could pickup on Monday. If the Visa got dated on that Monday it would be Ok, three days short if dated on Friday. They date the Visa the date you hand in the application. They will not accept any “holding” of the passport or a delayed application. We spent some time in the heat learning a lesson we allready knew.

    Safe travels everyone. 😀

    /A

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Arne, Thank you very much for the current update, this is some extremely helpful information, thanks again!

  • Diah Tri Widyastuti

    9 years ago

    Hi mark,
    I’m Indonesian.
    My partner work in bkk, I’m joining him to stay in bkk (tourist visa).
    I’ve been in n out Thailand for over 6x using tourist visa (on arrival) now they ask me to get a 60 days Visa.
    I always go yangon for 2/3 days to renew visa on arrival.

    When I see Thai embassy (visa) in Yangon, I see this Term ,,

    * Additional documents for applicant who has had extension of stay or many entries to Thailand
    1. letter of employment (for employee) or
    2. company registration (for business owner) or
    3. Guarantee/invitation letter from company in Thailand

    I’m not all the above, do u think they still will grant me ?

    Thanks so much n btw ur blog is useful for my thai n Myanmar street food guide ^_^

  • kee chong

    10 years ago

    hey mark. great blog. thx for all the useful info. Would you recommend getting a student visa in Thailand & using that as a way to stay in Thailand for a few years? Thanks.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hi Kee, great to hear from you. I’ve never done anything like that, but if you’re interested in signing up for a school, that would be a possible way to study and stay in Thailand.

  • Luis Garrido-Julve

    10 years ago

    Great info and better guide!! Will be visiting that embassy next month. Not easy to find so detailed information. And I’ll have all my documents just in case 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hello Luis, thanks glad this is helpful. All the best with your visa.

  • lea kulinowski

    10 years ago

    Hello – many thanks for this great post, it has been very very useful!

    I went there yesterday (2 April 2014) to get my visa and I just wanted to post two small updates:

    1 – Price is now 40 USD and they won’t accept bahts or Kyats. There is a place to change money just next to the embassy;
    2 – It took only one working day to get it (I got it this afternoon);
    3 – Absolutely need the copy of the plane ticket into thailand.

    I was amazed at how speedy it was – went around 10 am and I had to wait max 10 min; just asked the person at the entrance and he gave me a visa form then told me to go inside and wait in the queue.

    Thanks again for your great posts, I use them a lot and they are very useful!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Lea, thank you so much for the update, good info! Have a great trip to Myanmar!

  • PhuPha

    11 years ago

    Howdy yall, doing my first visa run in Myanmar for a non-immigrant O visa. My plane arrived in March of this year and I will not leave until November of this year. I have an e-ticket confirmation for that flight and need to get this done within 6 days. Will i have a problem about this? thanx

  • Randy

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark, Just found your website a few days ago and i love it. You do incredible work. I’m flying into Bangkok in a day and will be visiting and doing Phuket and a few places and then off to other regional countries. I’m considering doing some long term vacationing and Bangkok may be the hub.

    With your experience, are the 60 day tourist visas good AFTER you do your initial 30 day upon arrival visa and what exactly are the rules in vacationing in Bangkok indefinitely if at all possible? I’ve been reading up on it and I’m getting different info from all angles.

    Thanks in advance my friend.

    Also, the food tips are spectacular 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Randy, good to hear from you.

      A 60 day visa begins as soon as you enter, so you don’t get the 30 day upon arrival visa. However, after a 60 day visa you can go to immigration in Bangkok and extend by 30 days for 2000 Baht so really you can get 90 days on that single visa. As for long term vacationing, you can also get double entry visas and then keep leaving the country every now and then to re-apply for 2 month double entry visas – this makes is possible!

      Thanks for checking out my blog and all the best!
      Mark

    • Randy

      11 years ago

      Mark, Thx so much for the info. I’m currently at Imm Fusion Hotel on Sukhumvit 50 near the On Nut BTS. Its outstanding. Do you have any recommendations for any apartments in this area or any contacts you may have that I can email? Hell, if you’re available for lunch, Ill buy if I can get a little local knowledge in person from you 🙂

      I love everything so far ( except the broken elbow I received falling down during turbulence over the atlantic LOL). That’s a fun story in of itself. I’m retired military and used to setbacks and irritations so this is nothing 🙂

      Take care,

      Randy

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Randy, glad you made it to Bangkok, sorry to hear about the broken elbow. I know there are quite a few options if you walk On Nut, maybe try Soi 81. Not sure what your budget is, but there’s a place called KV Mansion that’s pretty nice. But there are many options both budget and more expensive around On Nut. Hope you’re enjoying Bangkok!

  • Trevor Schrock

    11 years ago

    I just returned from a fun trip to Yangon and I got my visa on arrival through a company called Gold Backed Travels and it was super easy.
    I had to send:
    1. Scan of my passport and passport-sized photo
    2. My itinerary (arrival and departure dates)

    The process cost me $75, but it was headache-free and they did all the paperwork for me. I simply had to show up and pay their representative (who met me at Immigration) with bills that were in good condition. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

    I dealt with “Chaw” and their email address is [email protected]

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Cool, thanks for sharing Trevor and glad you had a fun trip!

  • Claude

    11 years ago

    Mark
    Planning a visa run and this is useful info; thanks.
    Just to clarify: is it correct that you do NOT need a to show a ticket out of Thailand as proof of onwards travel to obtain the 60 day visa.
    Does the same apply for Vientianne and Savannakhet?
    Thank you

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Claude, yes, normally you for a 2 month visa you may need proof of entrance but don’t need a ticket out of Thailand. Same goes for Laos, though you shouldn’t even need proof of entrance to Thailand getting a visa there. Good luck with everything!

  • Kev

    12 years ago

    Hello,

    First of all thanks for the info, it’s most useful.

    I am going there tomorrow for a few nights.

    Can anyone recommend a clean guest house in the 1000-1500 thb price range?

    Thanks, Kev

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Kev, glad you found this article useful. Hopefully someone can recommend a place for you. The place I stayed was a bit cheaper and very very basic. Have a great trip!

  • paul

    12 years ago

    hey Mark,
    great info! i am going to myanmar this sat for a few days, until next wed evening, and need to pick up a 2-month tourist visa while i’m there.

    3 questions:
    do they care if the photos are 2″x2″ or 4cm x 6cm?
    do we have to pick up the forms at the embassy and fill them out there or can we download them beforehand?
    finally, can we get a double entry visa in myammar?

    thanks!
    paul

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Paul,
      Cool to hear you’re heading to Burma.

      – I think I used 2 x 2, and it was fine. In previous visa trips they haven’t been too picky about the size of the photo, so that should be alright.
      – Yes, you can get an application at the embassy in Yangon once you arrive – I think that’s the easiest.
      – No, unless things have changed, they don’t offer double entry visas. That was my biggest drawback about getting a Thai visa in Yangon.

      Have a great trip!
      Mark

    • paul

      12 years ago

      Thanks for the clear answers!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      No problem!

  • Matt

    12 years ago

    Yeah40 dollars and the gates open at 9 although yesterday ir was 20 minutes late as the staff were late for work. The Burmese were given numbers but myself one of very few foreigners were just let straight in when the door opened. Took about 2 minutes and another 2 minutes to pick it up the next day. The restaurant called feel is just round the corner and serves excellent local food. Basically a huge variety of curries and alike in a clean air con restaurant. It’s packed with locals. Turn right out the embassy then right on the main road and then the next left and it’s about 200m.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Nice Matt, good update and great to know about the curry restaurant right around the corner – Thanks for sharing!

  • Ste

    12 years ago

    Update (April 2012) – Only 140 visas are issued at the Thai embassy each day for BOTH Burmese and foreigners. If you come even before the embassy closes, but the 140th queue ticket is given out, you have to return the next day. I went at 10:00 AM and they turned me away even though the embassy doesn’t close for visa processing until 11:30 AM. This was on Monday which likely had more people since the embassy was closed on the weekend. Try the middle of the week for the shortest lines I think.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for sharing Ste, appreciate the updated information.

  • Shunichi Arai

    12 years ago

    Thank you for very useful information. I got a tourist visa quite easily at the Thai embassy in Yangon few weeks ago. At that time, the fee was changed from 1000bahts to 40USD. They said they only accept USD for fee.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      No problem Shunichi. Thanks for the update of information – really good to know!

  • Juanita Magana

    12 years ago

    Thanks for this organize info.I’m planning to go there on Feb 2012.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Great to hear that! Hope you have an amazing trip to Burma and I’d love to hear about it when you return!

  • Steo

    13 years ago

    Hi Mark,
    Cool advice, thank you
    I am heading to Yangon this weekend with a friend to get a visa on Monday. I heard that there can be long queues at the embassy as there are so many locals looking for a visa to come to Thailand,(people start queuing at 12 midnight to get a number, of which there are only 200 issued) Does this effect the foreigners or is only locals.
    Again, cool info ,
    cheers

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Hey Steo,
      Hmm, when I went the line was quite manageable, basically arrived and then got in within 15 minutes. I think the 200 thing might be for local Burmese trying to get a visa for Thailand, but I haven’t actually heard about it. I though the whole process was quite easy when I went, I just wasn’t able to get a 2 entry visa. Hope it works out for you Steo, let me know how it goes!

  • Jaz

    13 years ago

    nice guide just a few questions if you got the time.
    above you mentioned that before going to Mynamar you need to have a visa to enter, does that apply for Thai nationals?
    also i was told that you have to pay for your visa in USD is that true?
    also finally is there any hotels you would recommend and what is the taxi situation like, hard to get? scammers?
    thank you Mark

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Hey Jaz,

      I believe that even Thai nationals need a Myanmar visa to enter the country. Do you mean USD for the Myanmar Visa, or for the Thai Visa? For myself, I paid Thai baht for both visas. It should cost around 800 baht for the Myanmar visa and then 1000 baht for a 2 month Thai visa.

      I stayed at the Golden Smile Inn in Yangon, decent cheap place in Yangon, about $14 per night for a double. As for taxis, I had no trouble, I always just asked a local how much they would pay prior to flagging down the taxi. People are extremely kind and friendly. I have a big post that I will publish on Wednesday (8 June) of this week (on Migrationology) about practical travel information in Yangon if you would like the full round-up of Yangon information.

  • Anto

    13 years ago

    Thanks mate. Very handy article. Going to Birma in 10 days and i was looking exactly for these infos. Enjoy your travels

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Cool, no problem, glad it could help. Good luck with the visa and have a great trip!

  • Nancie

    13 years ago

    Many people probably wouldn’t think of going to Yangon to get their Thai Visa renewed. What a great opportunity to spend a few days in a fascinating country.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Fully agree Nancie, it’s a fascinating place to visit and the Thai embassy there is quite nice!

  • Hope

    13 years ago

    Hi Mark! Thanks a lot for sharing information on this website! Its a great help for me since I am planning to get a visa run in Yangon this month. But I am not so sure what to do after getting the visa from the thai embassy, This is gonna be my first visa run. Do I need to do something else after geting my visa from the Thai embassy in Yangon or am I good to go back to thailand?

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      No problem Hope, glad this article could help. Once you get the Thai visa in your passport, you are good to go. Just catch your flight back to Thailand, fill out the landing card with your visa # on it, and the immigration officer notice it and pass you through! Good luck and have a great time!

    • Hope

      13 years ago

      Thank you Mark! I have one more question for you. Sorry.. 🙂 Do i need to get a mynamar Visa at silom before I enter Myanmar or I can I get a visa on arrival? Thanks in advance!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      You NEED to get a Myanmar Visa before you go. Yes, go to the embassy in Bangkok and apply for your visa, take a look at my friends article about how to do that: http://travelhappy.info/thailand/myanmar-visa-in-bangkok-how-to-get-it/
      When I went it was very easy and I had no problems getting my visa.
      Wish you the best of luck Hope!

    • Hope

      13 years ago

      Thanks Mark! I’m so looking forward now to get to Yangon next week!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      It’s a fantastic city with some wonderful food!

  • Lawrence@CreditDonkey

    13 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing a very useful information there. Another food for thought for me!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Great Lawrence, do you have plans to visit Yangon soon?

  • Carolyn

    13 years ago

    I’m not sure why this is relevant when you can get your visa on arrival in Thailand….why bother at all to get a Thai visa in advance when you will receive one (a tourist visa good for 30 days) on arrival at Thai passport control at the airport.

    The other way around is much more tricky (getting your visa to Burma whilst in Thailand).

    Mark, can you explain why one would go to the trouble to get a visa in advance in Burma for Thailand? Maybe I’m missing something?

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Hey Carolyn,
      Thanks for asking. Basically this is for those who want to apply for a tourist visa that is valid for 2 months, and for those who want to apply for other forms of Thai visas, such as non-immigrant B visas, business visas, or other forms of Thai visas. You are right, if you are just traveling and want to spend 30 days in Thailand, a normal on arrival visa for 30 days works great.

    • Jim

      9 years ago

      You might want to get a Thai visa in Yangon if you’re crossing into Thailand by land. Land crossings only receive a 14 day entry, compared to the 30 day entry by air. Getting a 60 day visa ahead of time eliminates the hassle of trying to extend the 14 day entry while in Thailand.

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Thanks for the help Jim.

  • Talon (@1Dad1Kid)

    13 years ago

    Does it matter when you flew into Thailand? Does your flight into Thailand have to have been within a certain period of time from when you are applying for the visa?

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Hmmm Talon, that’s a good question and I’m not sure exactly. I would think that the officials would look at your Burmese visa (the expiration) and when your flight to Thailand is to make sure things line up. Other than that, I don’t know. I had a about a week before my flight to Thailand when I applied for the Thai visa.

  • Don

    13 years ago

    Very good advise about making sure there are no Thai or Burmese holidays within a few days. I ran into this problem while getting my visa for Burma in Bangkok.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Yup, I think almost anyone trying to get a visa for anywhere has at some point had a conflict with a holiday. So when going to a different country with the intention of getting a visa, it can really pay to do some research.

  • Randy

    13 years ago

    Great advice! This will definitely come in handy one day–hopefully sooner than later. Thanks for putting together this guide.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      No problem Randy! Do you have plans to visit Myanmar / Thailand soon?

    • Htay Win

      10 years ago

      Dear Mark , my name is htay win and current stay in Singapore . Today eve I will visit to Phuket but last night I checked my passport and already expired which was I applied from last few months . So I want to know that can I apply the Visa on Arrival when I reached Phuket airport ? I will visit in there just 4 days and 3 nights , after I must be back to Singapore . Thanks .

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hi Htay, did you already make it to Phuket? Yes you should be able to apply for visa on arrival in Phuket. Enjoy!