Business Customs
There are a few specific etiquette rules for business contacts. It is appropriate to wear business attire for official meetings and contract signing ceremonies. Businesspeople also expect to exchange business cards at initial meetings. Because Burma has a conservative culture, businesspeople should avoid wearing revealing attire (cover knees and shoulders). Mutual respect plays a critical role in Burmese business culture.
Travel Advisory
The U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory for Burma remains at Level 4 Do Not Travel at this writing. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should monitor the U.S. Department of State’ Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, can be found. Travelers can also obtain up-to-date information on safety and security by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada. Callers outside the United States and Canada may call 1-202-501-4444, a regular toll- line. These lines are available from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except for U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s Traveler’s Checklist. Further details can be found on the U.S. State Department’s travel.state.gov webpage. The Department of State also encourages U.S. citizens traveling overseas to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP.state.gov) to receive important safety and security updates, and to make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact them in an emergency or during a crisis.
Visa Requirements
Visa Information: Burma’s eVisa program allows tourists and business travelers to apply for a visa online rather than physically applying at an embassy or consulate. You are generally notified within a few days whether you have been pre-approved for a visa. You must present the eVisa approval letter at Immigration when you enter Burma. Once you are approved for a visa, the visa needs to be used within three months.
Apply at: Myanmar eVisa. Be aware that non-official websites may be fraudulent; beware of scams.
Burma has a visas-on-arrival program for certain business travelers. Currently this program is not available to U.S. citizen business travelers. The program is available only to those with a formal letter of invitation from a business registered with the Burmese Ministry of Commerce. It is not appropriate for tourists. Visit the Embassy of Burma or the Ministry of Immigration and Population websites for the most current visa information. You may also visit the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism web page for additional information.
Contact Information
Myanmar Consulate-General, Los Angeles (https://www.myanmarcgla.org/)
3435 Wilshire Blvd #1590,
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (+1) 213 387-0043
Currency
The Myanmar kyat (MMK) is the local currency. Currency exchange counters and ATMs are available at Yangon International Airport and around the city at the official bank rate. For changing U.S. dollar cash into MMK, it is advisable to bring only new U.S. dollar notes with no marks or creases. Otherwise, the bills may be refused or exchanged at a lower rate.
Telecommunications/Electronics
CDMA and GSM cell phone service is available in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, and surrounding areas. U.S. cell phone carriers might not receive service connections in the country. Mobile phones and local SIM cards have become much more affordable in Burma and are readily available. Business hotels provide access to the internet with reasonable download speeds. U.S. travelers to Burma should be aware that while the use of VPNs is not explicitly illegal, providing VPN services is subject to legal restrictions under Burma’s cyber laws. Travelers should be aware that many commonly used apps and websites may be inaccessible in Burma without certain tools such as VPNs.
Transportation
Burma is accessible by air, primarily via regional hubs like Singapore, Seoul, and Bangkok. Domestic air travel is preferred over driving long distances in Burma given poor road conditions. Domestic flights primarily operate through Yangon, often following routes such as Yangon–Nay Pyi Taw–Mandalay or Yangon–Nay Pyi Taw–Heho. Direct flights between provincial cities are limited, making connections through Yangon or Nay Pyi Taw necessary in most cases. Due to the ongoing conflicts, cancellations or delays can occur a
t short notice.
In Burma, travel by road can be dangerous as roads outside urban areas are often narrow and in poor condition, particularly during the May-October rainy season. There is also ongoing armed conflict in many parts of the country, with checkpoints manned by the military regime and ethnic armed groups. Traveling after dark is not recommended. Government permission is required for foreigners to travel by road in border areas. Rail travel, though available, is not recommended due to slow service.
Language
Burmese is the official language throughout Burma, though languages of various ethnic groups are widely spoken in their home regions. While businesspeople in Yangon and Mandalay speak some degree of English, it is not widely spoken outside the main urban areas. Chinese dialects are spoken in Mandalay, Yangon, and significant trade hubs near the China-Burmese border. Thai is spoken in trade hub towns on the Thai-Burmese border.
Health
Visitors should consult their physician or local health authorities for a list of recommended immunizations before arrival. Dengue fever is a prominent, year-round health concern. Avoiding mosquito bites through mosquito repellent and protective clothing is the only way to prevent this illness. Although malaria is not a problem in urban Yangon, malaria prophylaxis should be taken if traveling to other parts of the country.
Medical facilities in Burma are often inadequate, and travelers should bring a sufficient supply of personal prescriptions and over-the-counter medications with them. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877- FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via fax at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299).
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays
Burma is 6.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Business hours are not uniform. Most private and government offices close on weekends. Local holidays are posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy Rangoon at U.S. Embassy in Burma’s Holiday/Event Calendar 2026.
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Burmese law does not limit the amount of foreign currency brought into the country, but any amount over $10,000 must be declared on customs and currency declaration forms. Departing tourists who claim over $10,000 on arrival must have receipts for all items purchased in Burma. Their purchases must match the amount of foreign currency exchanged for kyat. Travelers may not bring kyat in large quantities into Burma or take it out of the country. Credit cards cannot be easily used in Burma outside urban areas as few businesses can process credit card transactions.