Government relaxes visa rules for Indian travellers

India citizens can now apply for visas on arrival (VOA) at the country’s three international airports in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

According to Hotels and Tourism Ministry statistics, a total of 41,197 Indian tourists visited Myanmar last year.

It added that from January to October this year, a total of 35,412 Indian tourists visited the country, an increase of 4.27 per cent compared with the same period last year.

In September last year, the Indian government introduced free visas for all Myanmar citizens. This was announced after the visit to Myanmar by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s Tourism Ministry said the number of Myanmar travellers to India increased by more than 10 per cent last year due to the new visa policy for travellers from Myanmar.

Read more:

• Myanmar visa for Indian citizens
• Visa on arrival for Indians visiting Myanmar

Many Myanmar travellers go to India to visit the Bodh Gaya religious site and about 30,000 Myanmar pilgrims visited India annually. Last year more than 50,000 Myanmar pilgrims visited India.

A cross-border travel agreement between the two countries was announced during the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Myanmar in May in this year.

According to the agreement, travellers from both countries and from third countries can pass through the border in Tamu-Moreh Gate and Rikhawdar-Zokhawthar Gate with Myanmar visas and Myanmar e-visas.