What Is the Difference Between Myanmar eVisa and Visa on Arrival?
A Myanmar eVisa costs $50 (≈£39) for tourists and is processed online in 1-3 business days through the evisa.moip.gov.mm portal (launched 1 September 2014). A Visa on Arrival costs the same but requires cash USD at designated airports. The eVisa clears immigration in 5-10 minutes; the VoA takes 30-90 minutes.
Quick answer: Myanmar eVisa ($50 tourist) is applied online 1-3 days before travel and processed at the airport in 5-10 minutes. Visa on Arrival ($50 tourist) is obtained at the airport with cash USD, taking 30-90 minutes. UK citizens qualify for both; eVisa is recommended for smoother entry in 2026.
Both options grant a 28-day single-entry stay for tourist visas and a 70-day single-entry stay for business visas. The eVisa minimises queue times and removes the need to carry foreign currency, making it the recommended route for most UK travellers comparing the Myanmar eVisa vs Visa on Arrival.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Myanmar eVisa vs Visa on Arrival (2026)
| Attribute | Myanmar eVisa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fee (tourist) | $50 USD (≈£39), card payment | $50 USD (≈£39), USD cash only |
| Processing fee (business) | $70 USD (≈£55), card payment | $70 USD (≈£55), USD cash only |
| Processing time | 1-3 business days (excl. weekends/holidays) | 30-90 min at airport counter |
| Payment method | Online credit/debit card | Cash USD only, exact bills, no change |
| Required documents | Passport, digital photo (4.8 × 3.8 cm), approval letter | Passport, physical photo, USD cash, hotel booking, return flight proof |
| Passport validity | ≥6 months from entry | ≥6 months from entry |
| Eligible nationalities | UK citizens among eligible countries | UK citizens among eligible countries |
| Ports of entry | Designated airports + some land borders | Airports only (Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw) |
| Duration of stay (tourist) | 28 days, single entry | 28 days, single entry |
| Duration of stay (business) | 70 days, single entry | 70 days, single entry |
| Airport wait time | 5-10 min (stamp only) | 30-90 min (form + queue + stamp) |
| Risk of refusal | Low, approved before departure | Possible if documents incomplete |
| Recommended for | Planned trips, peace of mind | Last-minute travel only |
Choose eVisa for planned trips with confirmed approval before departure. Choose VoA only for last-minute travel with exact USD cash.
Cost Breakdown with GBP Equivalents
Both visas share identical fees: $50 (≈£39) tourist, $70 (≈£55) business. The eVisa is paid online by card; the VoA requires crisp USD cash with no change given. Airport ATMs are available but queues can be long.
What Actually Happens at the Airport
eVisa holders present a printed approval letter and receive a stamp in 5-10 minutes. In practice, the eVisa counter at Yangon International Airport consistently bypasses the VoA queue, which extends during peak arrivals (November-February). VoA travellers queue at the desk, complete a paper form, pay USD cash, and wait 30-90 minutes. The eVisa counter is separate and faster at Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw International Airports.
Application Process: eVisa Steps vs VoA Airport Procedure
The eVisa involves five online steps; the VoA is obtained manually at the airport.
Myanmar eVisa: Five Online Steps
Create an account
Register on the immigration portal at evisa.moip.gov.mm.
Fill in the application form
Complete the secure online eVisa application form.
Confirm and pay
Pay $50 (≈£39) Tourist or $70 (≈£55) Business by credit/debit card.
Receive the approval letter
Get the approval letter by email as a PDF attachment.
Present at immigration
Show the printed approval letter at immigration for stamping upon arrival.
Processing takes 1-3 business days, excluding weekends and public holidays. Apply up to 90 days before departure; the approval letter is valid for single entry within 90 days of issuance. Airlines may deny boarding without a printed copy.
Visa on Arrival: Airport Counter Procedure
Land at the airport
Arrive at Yangon, Mandalay, or Nay Pyi Taw International Airport.
Proceed to the VoA desk
Go to the Visa on Arrival desk in the arrivals hall.
Complete a paper form
Fill out a paper application form at the counter.
Pay in USD cash
Pay $50 (Tourist) or $70 (Business) in USD cash only. No cards; bring exact, crisp bills.
Wait for processing
Wait for immigration to process and stamp the visa (30-90 minutes).
Requirements for UK Travellers and Airport Entry Points
British passport holders are among the eligible countries for both options in the Myanmar eVisa vs Visa on Arrival comparison. Only passports are accepted at Myanmar immigration; travel documents are explicitly rejected. Passport validity must be ≥6 months from entry, with a 4.8 × 3.8 cm photo.
Document Checklist: Myanmar eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
- Myanmar eVisa ($50/≈£39): printed approval letter, passport (6+ months), digital photo (4.8 × 3.8 cm), online card payment.
- Visa on Arrival ($50/≈£39 tourist; $70/≈£55 business): passport (6+ months), physical photo, USD cash in exact amount (crisp bills), hotel booking confirmation, return flight proof.
Before departure, consult FCDO travel advice and the Myanmar Embassy in London.
Designated Airports and Land Border Entry Points
Both the Myanmar eVisa and Visa on Arrival are accepted at Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw International Airports. The eVisa is also valid at some designated land border crossings; the VoA is airports only. Overland travellers without an eVisa may need an embassy-issued visa. A pre-arranged visa on arrival is not a separate category; the eVisa serves as the pre-arranged option.
Visa Validity, eStay Extension, Scams and 2026 Holiday Closures
Both the Myanmar eVisa and Visa on Arrival permit 28 days (tourist) or 70 days (business), single entry. The eVisa approval letter is valid for 90 days from issuance. Overstaying incurs a daily fine and may affect future applications.
Business visa holders can extend online via estay.moip.gov.mm (originally launched 1 November 2021, resumed 1 September 2025). Eligible beneficiaries are foreigners residing and working in Myanmar; the latest entry visa must be a Business Visa. Permitted online applications include re-entry visas for Business eVisa, Business VoA, and embassy-issued Business Visa holders. Tourist visa holders must visit an immigration office in person.
The Ministry of Immigration and Population issued a notice on 20 May 2026: the social media account Shwe Yamin (@shwe.yamin297) is fraudulent and does not represent the eVisa programme. Apply only through evisa.moip.gov.mm and report misconduct to the Anti-Corruption Commission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website is at mofa.gov.mm.
eVisa processing pauses during 2026 public holidays: Full Moon Day of Tabaung (2 March), Armed Forces Day (27 March), Thingyan (11-19 April, resuming 20 April), Kasong and Labour Day (30 April-1 May), Eid Al Adha (28 May), and Full Moon Day of Waso (29 July). The eVisa call centre (+95-67-3431125) operates Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM Myanmar time (UTC+6:30), but is currently unavailable due to a recent earthquake; email is recommended.
This article was last reviewed and updated on 11 September 2026. We verify all official links and processing times quarterly.
FAQ: Myanmar eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
How long does a Myanmar eVisa take to process?
Processing takes 1-3 business days, excluding weekends and public holidays. Peak season (November-February) may cause delays; apply at least 3 weeks before departure.
Can UK citizens get a Visa on Arrival in Myanmar?
Yes. British passport holders qualify for both Tourist eVisa and Tourist VoA at Yangon, Mandalay, or Nay Pyi Taw International Airports upon presenting a passport and paying $50 USD in cash.
What is the cost difference between Myanmar eVisa and Visa on Arrival?
Both tourist visas cost $50 (≈£39) and business visas $70 (≈£55). However, the VoA requires exact cash payment in USD.
Do I need to print my Myanmar eVisa approval letter?
Yes. Prepare a printout; without it, airlines may deny boarding.
What payment methods are accepted at the Visa on Arrival counter?
The VoA counter accepts USD cash only. Exact bills are required; no cards and no change given.
Can I use a Myanmar eVisa at a land border crossing?
Yes, the eVisa is accepted at designated airports and some designated land border crossings. The VoA is only available at international airports in Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw. Overland travellers using non-designated borders may need an embassy-issued visa.
What happens if I overstay my Myanmar visa?
Overstaying incurs a daily fine and may affect future visa applications. Contact the eVisa call centre or immigration office before your visa expires to arrange extensions.
When do Myanmar eVisa services close for public holidays in 2026?
eVisa processing closes: Tabaung (2 March), Armed Forces Day (27 March), Thingyan (11-19 April), Kasong/Labour Day (30 April-1 May), Eid Al Adha (28 May), and Full Moon Day of Waso (29 July).
