artyguy

I'm thinking of arriving five days earlier then what I stated on my VISA application. And was curious to know if the officials at the airport would have a problem with arriving earlier then expected? Thinking of changing my flight ticket so I can spend more time in Rangoon. Thanks for your help on this. Cheers

MmePerdu

I just had a look at my visa from late 2012 and it has "valid from" and "valid to" dates, with the "valid from" date being the same as the date of issue in Hanoi. Total validity from 1 Oct. to 30 Nov, duration of stay allowed 28 days.

That says to me that you can head for Rangoon as soon as you have your visa in hand, assuming the rules are the same. I'm sure someone else will come along and comment here or go online for corroborating information. Either Burma embassy/consulate or reputable visa expeditors such as VisaHQ.

internetwiz

I don't know what country you're coming from, but I just picked up my visa and it's essentially good for 90 days from the issue date. However, stapled to my passport, next to my visa, is my entry document with my flight information. It's signed and dated. I don't know if you'll be hassled if you change the information on that document. Depending on where you live, you might want to call the embassy to get more clarity.

On the other hand, there are people on this forum that might chime in and say your time is better spent outside of Yangon, in other places in Myanmar.

Kathie

What does your visa say? Once you get your visa, you have 90 days to activate it by entering the country. Once it is activated, it is good for 28 days.

Sometimes people have requested a future date for the visa - for example they will be traveling and won't get to Burma within 90 days. In that case, you must make sure the date you are entering isn't before the validity date.

MmePerdu

Sounds like a resounding "maybe"! Check with the Burma authorities before you make any changes.

And in response to time spent in Rangoon, I liked the city very much, spent several days there and wish I'd had more. I seemed to me like places in Asia might have been years ago, not surprising, and if I could time-travel those are the places I'd go. Down at the heels, yes, but coming back and I happen to like places before the developers and PR people have their way them.

internetwiz

Kathie, just to clarify. According to the Myanmar Embassy in DC, your visa is valid for 90 days once it's processed. They cautioned me not to get it too early, since the clock starts ticking once they receive your application. I did have to fill out my travel information - in duplicate. One of the two forms is stapled into my passport. I'm presuming the customs agent in Yangon will remove it when I arrive.

artyguy

So confusing, thanks however for your feedback. I called the embassy in DC and this person said I can arrive earlier. But of course I have to call again to verify that the person I spoke to gave me correct info.

So coming from the US. My visa is stamped Sept 4th which for 90 days takes me to Dec 3rd. And I will be out of the country by November 16.

My application states my arrival on Oct 29th. And want to arrive Oct 25th instead. So I need to get firm confidence that I can do this.

MmePerdu

Not confusing. If your visa says valid from Sept 4th, it's valid from September 4th or they'd say valid from the date you put down as your proposed arrival date instead.

I suggest you email the consulate instead, print the answer and bring it with you.

Furthermore, the airline will look at your visa when you check in for the flight and if you cannot enter the country they won't let you on the plane. They're responsible in that regard, will have to take you back to your city of embarkation at their expense if you cannot enter the country. So if you want an additional confirmation, call the airline.

artyguy

thanks for that info!

internetwiz

We'll be leaving from Yangon on November 16 too. Are you headed to Chiang Mai from there? Maybe we'll be on the same flight.