Myanmar

MMR

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a large Southeast Asian nation bordering Thailand, Laos, China, India, and Bangladesh. Following the February 2021 military coup, the country has been under junta rule (State Administration Council), with ongoing civil conflict, widespread human-rights abuses, and international sanctions from the US, EU, and UK. Foreign investment has collapsed and the kyat has devalued sharply. Expat arrivals and long-term residency are minimal given security conditions. Dual citizenship is not permitted. Taxation is territorial in principle, but enforcement is inconsistent under the current political environment. Travellers should consult their government's travel advisory before any visit.

Passport Rank

#107

Visa-Free

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Naypyidaw
Currency: MMK
Languages: Burmese
Population: 54,409,800
Tax System: Territorial
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Naturalisation: 10 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Tropical monsoon; hot dry season (February–May), heavy rains June–October; cooler highland zones in Shan and Chin states
English Proficiency Rank: #88
Territorial Taxation: Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

Tax Summary

Tax System: Territorial
Territorial Taxation: Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed
Naturalisation: 10 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed

Cost of Living by City

← scroll the table →

Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Yangon	—	$196	—	—	—
Mandalay	—	$140	—	—	—
Naypyidaw	—	$138	—	—	—

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Yangon

25°J

28°F

29°M

31°A

30°M

28°J

27°J

27°A

27°S

28°O

27°N

26°D

Rainfall range: 2–624 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)

Mandalay

22°J

26°F

30°M

34°A

33°M

31°J

29°J

29°A

29°S

28°O

25°N

23°D

Rainfall range: 3–182 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)

Naypyidaw

24°J

27°F

31°M

34°A

33°M

30°J

29°J

29°A

29°S

28°O

26°N

24°D

Rainfall range: 1–320 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Tourist eVisa
Business eVisa
Stay Permit
Investor Visa
Student Visa
Family Visa
Diplomatic / Official Visa
Transit Visa
Multiple Journey Visa

Authority: Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population
Official Portal: www.mip.gov.mm
Phone: +95 1 657 942
Email: contact@mip.gov.mm

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 5
Language Test: Yes (Burmese)
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: No
Fee: $50
Processing: ~24 months

Safety

GPI Rank

#148

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Jade and gem fraud at Bogyoke Aung San Market (Yangon) and Zegyo Market (Mandalay) — vendors substitute fake or low-grade stones at point of sale using sleight-of-hand, often providing counterfeit authenticity certificates
⚠Taxi meter manipulation near tourist sites such as Shwedagon Pagoda, with drivers charging double the correct fare; airport taxis especially aggressive on pricing
⚠Counterfeit kyat banknotes passed as change in markets exploiting the cash-only economy, plus coercion into unfavourable USD-to-kyat exchange rates using the junta's artificially low official rate

Examples of areas to avoid: Sagaing Region — primary resistance heartland facing near-constant military airstrikes and heavy civilian casualties; effectively off-limits to all foreigners, Rakhine State — active frontline between the Arakan Army and junta forces with widespread landmines; US, UK, and EU governments advise against all travel, Mandalay's northern outskirts and Shan State border zones — armed conflict between ethnic resistance organisations and junta forces with documented road ambushes; Mandalay city itself carries a 'against all but essential travel' advisory

Related Guides

Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list

Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.

Sources & last verified

Last verified 2026-06-15