YANGON, Feb 6: Burma (officially titled Myanmar) is setting up an online visa system to replace the current process, a paperwork-laden slog that can take weeks.
As soon as March, tourists will be able to apply “anywhere via the internet” says Burma`s tourism minister. That`s according to the Dutch DPA news outlet, which quotes a Myanmar Times report. Even journalists have started visiting the authoritarian state on the up-and-up in lieu of disguising themselves as tourists.
For most Westerners, getting into Burma isn`t particularly difficult. It`s just inefficient. You can either mail in your passport and a series of forms to the nearest embassy or chance flying to neighboring Thailand, stand in an early-morning queue and submit your forms outside Myanmar`s drab embassy in Bangkok. (For what it`s worth, this process more or less mirrors Vietnam`s.)
The upside for Burma, of course, is tourist cash. Tourist revenues are still meager but skyrocketing: up to $319 million from last year`s $254 million, according to DPA`s report.
Before too long, Burma will get its long-awaited Visa/Mastercard-friendly ATMs. At this rate, now might be the time to visit if you want to behold a Burma untouched by Starbucks or — who knows? — Thai-style party beaches.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/online-visa-soon-in-myanmar/