Myanmar News Articles: Burma opens e-Visa application service

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Requests for permits to travel to restricted areas have to be made in Yangon or, in some cases, locally.

Applicants are also asked to fill in their tour operator's details if they are travelling with a group.

The single-entry e-Visa costs $US50 ($A54), will be stamped on arrival (it must be stamped within 90 days of the approval letter being issued) and is valid for 28 days.

Applicants will need to supply a colour, passport-size photograph taken in the last three months and details of a return ticket.

An acknowledgment email with a reference code will be sent out afterwards and an approval letter should arrive by email within five days, according to the website.

Khin Yi, Burma's Minister of Immigration and Population, said the launch of the service marked a special day for the country. It could ease the burden on the Burmese embassy in Bangkok, which is deluged with requests for visas and tourists there can often expect long queues.

Burma's moves towards democracy include the release of political prisoners, but there are still restrictions on freedom of movement and speech.

Smartraveller advises Australians to reconsider travel to Rakhine, including the capital Sittwe, Mrauk-U and areas near Ngapali Beach (except the beach resort of Ngapali), given serious civil unrest and ongoing tensions. If travelling to Ngapali Beach, the government advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution.

Smartraveller also advises against all but essential travel to northern Shan and Kachin States, due to ongoing tensions between ethnic groups and military forces. It also advises Australians to reconsider travel to areas bordering China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh and India, including land border crossings in these areas, because armed groups operate in these areas and there is an ongoing risk of ethnic conflict, banditry and unmarked landmines.

The best time to visit Burma is during the cool, dry season between November and February.

The Telegraph, London with Fairfax Australia