Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Burma

Burma
Union of Burma

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None  Multiple  12 Months 
A-2 None  One  6 Months 
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 $415.00  Multiple  12 Months 
B-2 None One 3 Months
B-1 / B-2 None One 3 Months
C-1 None One 3 Months
C-1/D N/A N/A N/A
C-2 None One 12 Months
C-3 None One 12 Months
C-W-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
C-W-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 24 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 12 Months
F-1 None Multiple 12 Months
F-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-1 None  Multiple  12 Months 
G-2 None  Multiple  12 Months 
G-3 None Multiple  12 Months 
G-4 None Multiple 12 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None One 3 months 3
H-1C $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-2A $17.00 N/A N/A3
H-2B $17.00 N/A N/A3
H-2R $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-3 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-4 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
I None One 1 Month
J-1 4 None Multiple 12 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 12 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None One 3 Months
L-2 None One 3 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
O-2 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
O-3 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-1 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-2 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-3 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-4 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
Q-1 6 $17.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
R-1 $245.00 Multiple 12 Months
R-2 $245.00 Multiple 12 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

▲.    Tiered Fee Schedule

Fee

Number
of Applications

Validity
Period

$440.00 Multiple 12 Months

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

Note: Civil unrest and armed conflicts continue after the February 1, 2021, military coup.  The violent conflicts have damaged much of the country, including civil records offices.  While civil records offices generally are still in operation, contact with them, especially those in rural areas, is challenging as frequent power outages and cuts to communication signals frequently occur.  Also, almost no civil records created before 1945 exist due to the armed conflicts during that time period.  

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available: Yes

Fees: None

Birth Certificates:  Birth registration gradually become more regular and common, especially in the cities, after the 1950s.  Official birth registration is common now in most of the country, but generally not in remote areas.  

Issuing Authority:

Office of Regional Public Health Officer
Yangon Region Public Health Department
No. 520, West Race Course Road
Yangon, Myanmar

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: N/A

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants must be in country to request a birth certificate.  Otherwise, relatives or friends may request on behalf of the individual.  Applicants born in the Rangoon region may request birth certificates from the Office of Regional Health Officer. The person seeking the certificate must provide a copy of the subject’s national identity card and family registration, the subject’s name and aliases, date and place of birth, parents' names, and parents' address at the time of applicant's birth. Those born outside Rangoon must apply at the Township Medical Office in the township of their birth with the required aforementioned information.

Certified Copies Available: Generally, only one document is issued.  

Alternate Documents:  If a birth certificate is not available, the individual must request a letter from the Health Department in the individual’s city of birth.

1.  If the Health Department does not have the applicant’s birth record, the applicant should submit the following with the immigrant visa application:

  • A letter (with stamp and signature) from the Medical Officer of the city’s Health Department that states the applicant’s birth record is not available;
  • The applicant’s national registration/scrutiny card.
  • A notarized translation of each must be submitted if not in English.

Exceptions: Not applicable

Comments: If the birth was not recorded or the record was destroyed, the Health Department has the authority to issue a letter to that effect.

 

Death/Burial

Available: Yes

Fees:  None

Document Name: N/A

Issuing Authority: 

Office of Regional Public Health Officer
Yangon Region Public Health Department
No. 520, West Race Course Road
Yangon, Myanmar

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: N/A

Certified Copies Available: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Comments:  Overseas applicants may have relatives or friends apply for a death certificate on their behalf.  Those outside Rangoon must apply at the Township Medical Office in the township where the death occurred.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available: Yes

Fees: Varies

Document Name: N/A

Issuing Authority: Varies

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies

Registration Criteria: Varies

Procedure for Obtaining: N/A

Certified Copies Available: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Comments: For a court to issue a marriage certificate, at least one of the married parties must be a Burmese citizen.  The court will not issue a marriage certificate if both parties are not Burmese citizens.

  • Marriage certificates are issued for marriages between two Christians or marriages between a Christian and a non-Christian.  For marriages where at least one party is Christian, the marriage or solemnizing official must be ordained/authorized to officiate marriages, and this official’s name and signature must be on the marriage certificate.
  • For Buddhist marriages, under Buddhist law, a marital relationship is established through cohabitation and common repute, not by a ceremony or civil registration.  In Burma, Buddhist married couples are not required to register their marriage.  Many Buddhist couples have a marriage certificate, but not all will have one.  Buddhist married couples without a marriage certificate will often present a notarized affidavit, which lists their religion, and is generally accepted.
  • Muslim marriages are recorded in a deed of marriage, which is signed by the Muslim religious official, the married parties, and witnesses. These marriage deeds for Muslim marriages are not registered with civil authorities and may be acceptable.
  • Non-Christian couples of other faiths often execute marriage affidavits before a notary public, but these are not legal documents nor are they registered with any civil authority.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available: Yes

Fees: Vary

Document Name: N/A

Issuing Authority: N/A

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: N/A

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: N/A

Certified Copies Available: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Comments:  Divorce certificates are available for Buddhist divorces, Christian divorces, and Christian and non-Christian divorces.  Divorce records are only issued in Buddhist and Christian divorces and must have a judge’s signature.  A notarized affidavit, signed only by a lawyer or ward administrator, for the aforementioned parties is not a legal document for divorce purposes.  For a Muslim divorce, a certified divorce certificate is not custom in country, and the couple may execute a notarized affidavit, which includes their and a Muslim official’s signature.  There is no official record for Muslim divorces.

 

Adoption Certificates

Adoption Certificates

Available: Generally available. The only Burmese adoptions recognized for U.S. immigration purposes are Kittima adoptions. All parties in a Kittima adoption must be Buddhist at the time of the adoption. All Kittima adoptions taking place after April 1, 1941, must be registered with the government to be valid. (Note: Legal custody of a child starts from the date of the Kittima decree.)

Fees: Varies

Document Name: Kittima adoption decree

Issuing Authority: Copies of adoptions filed in Rangoon and Nay Pyi Taw are available from the Office of the Registration of Deeds. Adoption filed outside the Rangoon and Nay Pyi Taw areas are available from the Department of Agriculture Land Management and Statistics. 

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: N/A

Certified Copies Available: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Comments: N/A

Identity Card

National ID Cards

Available:

Fees: Varies

Document Name: National Registration Card (NRC) AKA- Citizenship Scrutiny Card

Issuing Authority: Typically, Township-level Immigration Offices issue the National Registration Card.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: NRC cards are usually pink, but other colors such as blue and green exist. Non-pink cards may indicate a particular ethnic background or parents’/grandparents’ immigration status prior to 1948.  White cards exist and are typically associated with individuals from Rakhine State.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: Must be at least 10 years old to obtain a National Registration Card. At the age of 18, the card must be updated, but the card number remains the same.

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • If applying for the first time at the age of 10, the applicant needs to apply in person accompanied by his/her parents or guardians. When the individual applies for the updated NRC at 18-years-old, only the individual needs to appear at the immigration office. The applicant needs to submit their household registration list, the application form, recommendation from their school, birth certificate, the IDs of both parents, medical results for a blood type test, recommendation from the Ward Administration Department, four photos (without wearing any glasses).
  • If lost or damaged, the applicant needs to apply in person with a statement, the NRC application form, application form to re-issue a new NRC together with a letter from the Ward Administration Department, police report regarding the loss of the NRC, the household registration list which includes the applicant’s name, IDs of both parents, the number of the lost/damaged NRC, and four photos.

Certified Copies Available: Not Available

Alternate Documents: Not Applicable

Exceptions: Not Applicable

Comments: Not Applicable

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available: Yes

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name: Police Certificate

Issuing Authority: Police station in the city or town of the individual’s residence

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining:  Police certificates must be obtained from the police station of the individual’s primary residence.  For persons residing overseas, a relative or friend in Burma may request a police certificate.  

Certified Copies Available: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Comments: N/A

 

Court/Prison Records

Available: No

 

Military Records

Military Records

Available: Yes

Fees: N/A

Document Name: N/A

Issuing Authority:

Defense Services Records Office
Bauktaw
Yankin Township, Yangon

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: N/A

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: N/A

Certified Copies Available: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Comments:  Burma does not have conscription, and the Armed Forces will not issue a statement that a person has not served in the military.  Officers with no derogatory information in their military records can obtain "Office Order Part 2" from the Defense Services Records Office. Enlisted individuals with a clean record can obtain service books from the same office. If a veteran cannot obtain a record from that office, it may mean that his record contains adverse information. In that case, the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon may submit an official request for the record.

 

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Travel Documents

Types Available: (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):   The Government of Burma currently issues non-biometric passports with machine-readable biographical data and a printed photo. Unexpired non machine-readable passports with a pasted photo are still valid for travel, and may be extended by an endorsement by the Ministry of Home Affairs. There are three basic types of passports:   

  • The Diplomatic Passport has a blue cover and is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). It is usually valid for 10 years, but may be valid indefinitely.
  • The Official Passport has a dark green cover. It is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The period of validity depends on the purpose of travel; official passports issued for official duties or workshops are valid for five years, and official passports issued for conferences and training are valid for three years.
  • The Regular/Ordinary Passport has a red cover. As of November 1, 2012, there are seven types of regular passports: visitor, work, seaman, business, student, religious, and dependent. The type of passport is indicated on the biographical information page. All regular passports are valid for five years and are issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • The Certificate of Identity: Prior to 2010, the Government of Burma issued "Certificates of Identity" for 1) children under the age of 15 not included in a parent's passport and 2) adults who lost their passports. The document is a booklet identical in size to the passport book, is light green, and contains 16 pages. Earlier certificates were a single sheet of blue paper. The Certificate of Identity was issued for a validity period of three years and was extendable. As of 2010, the light blue color “Certificate of Identity” is no longer issued for children under the age of 15 and is no longer a valid identity or citizenship document, but is still valid for adults who lost their passports overseas.  The Myanmar Embassy abroad will issue an emergency white colored Certificate of Identity when necessary.

Fees: Varies

Document Name: N/A

Issuing Government Authority: Varies

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: N/A

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: N/A

Alternate Documents: N/A

Exceptions: N/A

Other Documents Available: N/A

 

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Contact Information

  • Post Title: U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma
  • Address: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon
  • Phone Number:
    • (95) (1) 7536-509 
    • (95) (1) 7536-509 (ext. 4014) - After hours
    • Fax: (95) (1) 751-2124
  • Visa Services: All visa categories for all of Burma.
  • Comments / Additional Information: Not Applicable

Visa Services: All visa categories for all of Burma.

 

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Burma.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.