Business Culture Tip: Visa Extensions, When Immigration Comes Knocking

A lot of people are kind of stuck in the current situation. With no flights for visa runs in sight and lots of confusion on what’s possible, let me break it down for you a bit. I want to note before I get into this that I’m strictly talking only about business visas.

Here’s a quick list of things that are true to dispel the myths of this process:

1. Already expired visa cannot get an extension, they allow 5 days remaining before expiration.
2. Current company you have visa with is allowed, but you cannot switch companies or visa types.
3. The company must have paid taxes, or must prove to be in operation another way.
4. You must have a valid contract with the company you are getting the extension with.
5. Form C is a must. Get the form from the immigration office on Pansodan and you and your landlord go and submit at the block leaders office.

The Process

1. Submit Necessary Documents at DICA
2. DICA will issue a letter of recommendation if you are valid (1-2 weeks)
3. DICA Letter and Docs taken to Immigration to submit (1 week)
4. You may need to get an FRC if you need to renew one or they require you to get one.
5. Pick up FRC and Passport from Immigration.

*If you don’t have all your documents in line then you may need to go back and forth to DICA and Immigration a few times. You also may have to stand in line and wait for hours.

Documents Needed

1) Company Recommendation Letter
2) A recent business document (e.g. invoice) to show that company is active.
3) Employment Contract
4) DICA Application (can download from DICA website) - Managing Director must sign everything
5) Copy of Current Visa - signed by managing director
6) Copy of E-Visa paper you received for entry (if you did this)
7) Copy of passport photo page
8) Form C application form - you need to get from local leader’s office or immigration
9) Company Certificate of Registration (check if it’s current)
10) Passport
11) 10 pictures for the full process (2 inch)

What if I can’t Extend?

A lot of people don’t have all the documents to get an extension. If this happens to you then you can do a number of things:
1. Leave the Country on a Relief Flight (there are several going out the next few weeks)
2. Make sure your Form C is up to date
3. Donate Something Useful to your local block leader’s office (COVID-19 PPE is a good thing)
4. Don’t leave Yangon or where you are living and wait for things to open back up. You can always pay the overstay fees at the airport when things open.

Contact Ryan Russell CEO of Myanmar Business Answers (ryan@myanmarbusinessanswers.com)if you have any questions. Myanmar Business Answers does visa extensions for $150 USD excluding visa fees and $250 USD if FRC is needed to be done.

Written By- Ryan Russell (CEO of Myanmar Business Answers)