How do I get a Stay Permit for an expat in Myanmar?
A Stay Permit (residence permit) for a foreign-national employee in Myanmar is sponsored by the DICA-registered employer and issued by the Ministry of Immigration and Population. Apply after the work permit is issued, with passport, employer letter, work permit, and tax / SSB undertakings. Typical validity is one year, renewable, often paired with a Multiple Re-Entry Visa.
What Myanmar law and practice say
The Stay Permit is the foreign-national residence authorisation that allows a non-Myanmar national to remain in Myanmar beyond the entry visa's expiry. It is separate from the work permit (right to work for a specific employer) and from the entry visa (right to enter). The Ministry of Immigration and Population issues the Stay Permit, with the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA)-registered employer acting as sponsor.
Avoid the term "expat" in formal documentation — Myanmar regulations use "foreign-national employee" or "foreign worker". The Stay Permit is typically valid for one year and renewable, and is usually paired with a Multiple Re-Entry Visa (MRV) so the foreign-national employee can travel out of and back into Myanmar during the assignment.
Required documents for the Stay Permit application
| Document | Mandatory? | Issued by | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (≥ 6 months remaining) | Yes | Home country | Per passport |
| Valid Business / Employment Visa | Yes | Myanmar Embassy / e-Visa | Per visa |
| Work permit | Yes (typically issued first) | MIC / MoLES / SEZ Authority | Typically 1 year |
| Employer sponsorship letter | Yes | DICA-registered employer | Per application |
| Company DICA / MIC registration extract | Yes | DICA / MIC | Current |
| Tax / SSB undertaking | Yes | Employer | Per application |
| Application form, photos, fees | Yes | Applicant | n/a |
Process and timeline
- Secure the work permit first (4–8 weeks) — see work permit guide.
- Compile the Stay Permit dossier with employer sponsorship letter and tax / SSB undertaking — 1 week.
- File the Stay Permit application at the Ministry of Immigration and Population — 2–6 weeks processing.
- Apply for the Multiple Re-Entry Visa alongside or after — typically processed together.
- Issue the ESDL appointment letter within 30 days of start (if not yet done).
- Enrol the employee in SSB within 30 days.
- Diary the Stay Permit expiry 60 days ahead for renewal.
Foreign-worker specifics
Inside Special Economic Zones (SEZs) such as Thilawa, the SEZ Authority co-ordinates the Stay Permit alongside the work permit on a faster, single-window track. Dependants (spouse, children) require their own dependant Stay Permits — separate applications, sponsored by the foreign worker.
Employer takeaway
Apply for the Stay Permit only after the work permit is issued. Sponsor through the DICA-registered employer with a clean sponsorship letter, current registration extract, and tax / SSB undertaking. Expect roughly 1 year of validity, paired with the MRV. Diary renewal 60 days ahead and retain the immigration file for at least 7 years post-exit.
Edge cases
- Late renewal — out-of-status risk; engage Immigration immediately, plan for fines.
- Change of employer — usually new work permit and new Stay Permit, not a transfer.
- Long-term stays beyond 5 years — Foreign Registration Certificate may apply.
- SEZ employees — single-window through SEZ Authority.
Common hiring mistakes
- Letting the foreign-national employee live in Myanmar on visa-only after the work permit is issued.
- Confusing the Stay Permit with the MRV — they are different documents.
- Forgetting dependant Stay Permits for spouse and children.
- Missing the renewal window and leaving the employee out of status.
- Immigration Regulations — Stay Permit and Multiple Re-Entry Visa
- DICA Notification — foreign-investor employer registration
- Foreign Workers' Quota Notification (current)
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