See our Current Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can face imprisonment or a death sentence.

Dual nationality is not recognized. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times. Burmese authorities may also be extra vigilant in applying local laws and customs regulations when dealing with foreign citizens of Burmese origin.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada publishes a booklet, Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Importation of communications equipment such as mobile phones and laptop computers is prohibited. Laptop computers have been taken from tourists and held at the airport until their departure. Baggage may be searched upon arrival.

A permit is required to purchase or possess cultural or archaeological artefacts. It is illegal to export gems. Foreigners have been arrested, searched, and imprisoned for attempting to take Burmese gems out of the country.

Photography of military installations and personnel is prohibited. Offenders could be arrested, deported, and have their equipment confiscated.

Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour, particularly when visiting religious sites. Visitors should dress conservatively and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.

Homosexuality is illegal.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

There is no resident Canadian government office in Burma. Canadians in Burma can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Australian Embassy in Rangoon (under the Canada-Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement) at the following address:

Burma (Myanmar) - RANGOON (YANGON), Australian Embassy
Address: 88 Strand Road, Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar)
Tel.: 95 (1) 251-810
Fax: 95 (1) 246-159

The Embassy of Canada in Bangkok, Thailand, has consular responsibility for Burma (Myanmar). The address is as follows:

Thailand - BANGKOK, Embassy of Canada
Address: 15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama IV, Bangrak, Bangkok 10501, Thailand
Postal Address: P.O. Box 2090, Bangkok 10501, Thailand
Tel.: 66 (2) 636-0540
Fax: 66 (2) 636-0555
E-mail: bngkk@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/bangkok

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Australian Embassy in Rangoon and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Burma (Myanmar) and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on April 11, 2006.  However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Burma. A visa is also required. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date the visa is issued.

Visas are rarely issued to journalists, some of whom have been denied entry when travelling to Burma on tourist visas. Journalists, and tourists mistaken for journalists, have been harassed. Some journalists have had film and notes confiscated upon leaving the country.

Travellers are advised to use the same port of entry (international airport of Rangoon) to enter and exit Burma to avoid problems with immigration services.

Tourist Visa: Required (valid for 28 days)
Business Visa: Required (renewable)____________________________________________

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the kyat (MMK). Travellers should take enough cash to cover their expenses while in Burma. Since the imposition of U.S. economic sanctions, credit cards have not been accepted, except in a few foreign-owned hotels. Check the method of payment in advance. Traveller's cheques are not accepted. Travellers should take enough cash to cover their expenses while in Burma. Cash advance or cheque-cashing facilities and ATMs are not available.  Only new and undamaged U.S. dollar bank notes or FEC are accepted for cash transactions. Marks and tears on the bills are not accepted. Other foreign currencies are not normally accepted. The Burmese government issues Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs), which have the same face value as the U.S. dollar. FECs can be exchanged for local currency, or used to pay for goods and services where FECs are the accepted forms of payment. Neither FECs nor kyat can be converted to any other currency. Officially, the Burmese government states that the only foreign currency that is convertible into local currency is the euro. However, travellers report that U.S. dollars can be exchanged. It is illegal to exchange currency at unauthorized locations. Foreign currency in excess of US$2,000 must be declared upon arrival. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment. These procedures are subject to change without notice.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Burma (Myanmar)(capital: Rangoon) is located in Southeast Asia, bordering China, Laos, Thailand, the Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, and India. The government announced that the capital would move to Pyinmana. There are reports of foreigners being deported after trying to visit Pyinmana without permission.  Tourist facilities do not exist in Pyinmana. The official language is Burmese. Tourist facilities are adequate in Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Ngapali beach, Rangoon, and Taunggyi but limited elsewhere. Foreigners can expect to pay several times more than locals for accommodations, domestic flights, and entry to tourist sites.



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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are available in Rangoon but are limited elsewhere. Foreign prescription drugs are often counterfeit and are unsafe to use.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

For information on the Government of Canada's policy on Burma, please see http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/asia/main/country/Burma-en.asp .

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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