Earnings grow from online e-visa system in Myanmar
MYANMAR earned more than US$12 million from its online e-visa system in fiscal year 2016-17 and is increasing, according to a report from Public Accounts Committee.
It said Myanmar raked in over US$7 million from the system in fiscal year 2015-16.
Myanmar charged $50 as an e-visa fee for tourist and allowed them to stay 28 days in the country. It has been granted to 100 countries.
It charged $70 for e-visa business with a 70-day stay to 51 countries.
Myanmar started the e-visa system from September 2014 in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports.
Moreover the e-visa system was introduced at the Techilek, Myawady and Kawthoung border gates, starting from June 2016.
Myanmar has reduced visa restrictions for business visa, social visa, meditation visa, official visa, education visa and crew visa and the periods of stay have been extended to three months, six months and one year respectively.
Although Myanmar reduced its visa restrictions, tourist arrivals in Myanmar have declined, according to tourism agencies.