Myanmar

Also known as Burma, Myanmar remains true to its origins despite its colonial history. Expats will experience this part of Asia quite differently as western inflection is minimal. Religious sites, customs, traditions and sensibilities reign in Myanmar. Whether this is a breath of fresh air or a challenge is definitely up to each expatriates expectations. If you’re about to plunge into Myanmar, take a quick look at our handy guide.

• Myanmar Features
• Expat Clubs
• Schools
• Local News Sources
• Country Information
• Resident and Work visa information
• How to get a driving license
• Where to live and about the accomodation types
• Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance

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Expat Clubs

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Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association MWEA

MWEA is the strategic alliance of business women and women of academic that give the association a very firm foundation for women development appropriate for meeting the challenges of a global society.

Address: 288/290, Shwedagon Pagoda road, Dagon Township, Rangoon, Yangon, Burma, 11111

Tel: +951 254400, +251 1 389380, +251 1 389375

Email: [email protected]

 

Women’s League of Burma WLB

Women’s League of Burma (WLB) was established on December 9, 1999 with the aim of increasing the participation of women in the struggle for democracy and human rights, promoting women’s participation in the national peace and reconciliation process, and enhancing the role of the women of Burma at the national and international level.

Website: womenofburma.org

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International Schools 

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Yangon International School

The Yangon International School is an independent private school located in Yangon, Myanmar. The school began operation in the Fall of 2004 with grades K-8. The school has added a grade each year and currently includes a pre-school program for ages 3, 4, and 5 as well as grades  K-12. The intent is to provide a college preparatory program to enable students to enroll in international universities. The current enrollment includes approximately 500 students. Nationalities include: American,  Korean, Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, and Myanmar students.

Curriculum:

Address: No. 117 Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun Township, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 578171, +95 1 573149

Fax: +95 1 578604

Website: www.yismyanmar.net

 

International School of Myanmar

The International School of Myanmar was founded in 1998 by a group of concerned educators and business leaders who felt there was a need for an affordable, high-quality international education option for Myanmar and expatriate students living in Yangon. From its humble beginnings as an "International Child Zone" with 48 students, the school has grown rapidly to over 1200 students and three campuses of purpose-built classroom building in a residential neighborhood in northwest Yangon.

Curriculum: Advanced Placment, International Schools’ Assessment ISA

Address: W-22, Mya Kan Thar Main Road, Mya Kan Thar Housing, 5th Quarter, Hlaing Township, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: + 95 1 530082

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ismyanmar.com

 

Myanmar international School Yangon

Children in the Early Years grades of Nursery, Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten (ages 3 to 5) develop social skills as well as building a foundation for academic learning. An emphasis is placed on learning phonetics as a lead up to reading. Young children learn through play, music and arts in the rich and stimulating MISY environment. For the Primary and Secondary students, MISY offers a combination of the best and most appropriate parts of the British curriculum, plus selected features from elsewhere, including North America. The curriculum is designed to provide for a high quality international standard of education. Modifications are made in our curriculum to meet the needs of our students.

Curriculum: British, American

Address: No. 24, Sae Myaung St. (11th) Quarter, Yankin Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 657885, +95 1 657886, +95 1 09500 5555, +95 1 09550 4139

Email: [email protected], [email protected]      

Website: www.misyedu.com

 

Ayeyarwaddy International School

Ayeyarwaddy International School was founded in 2011 by U Aung Ko Latt, a local entrepreneur whose dream was to bring to Mandalay an exceptional school which would prepare local, national, and international students for university life through an academic program using English as the language of instruction.

Address: No.25(B), 52nd Street, Between 34th & 35th Streets, Chan Aye Tharzan Township, Mandalay, Myanmar

Tel: +951 2 77943, +95 2 77953

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.ayeyarwaddyinternationalschool.com/

 

British School Yangon

The British International School Yangon follows the English National Curriculum. It is a standardised curriculum that is followed by hundreds of British schools around the world. British qualified staff delivers the English National Curriculum supported in most instances by a qualified Teacher's Assistant. All children are taught in mixed ability classes, with children of the same age. Children may be taught English, Maths or other core subjects in smaller groups if we consider support is needed.

Curriculum: English National Curriculum

Address: 2A Yangon-Insein Road, Ward No. 9, Hlaing Township, Yangon, Myanmar. 11051

Tel: +95 9 250739873

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Website: www.britishschoolyangon.org



Dulwich College Yangon

Dulwich College Yangon is a British Independent School for children aged 2 – 14 years of age. Spread over two campuses in Yangon, Pun Hlaing (formerly Pun Hlaing International School) and Star City, the school will provide year-on-year tuition for students up to 18 years of age. The two state-of-the-art campuses feature impressive facilities including specialist classrooms, science laboratories, libraries, a 250-seat black box theatre, an Olympic size swimming pool and smaller training pool, indoor gymnasium and rugby and football fields. The College is the latest member of the Dulwich College International family of schools, with campuses in China, Korea and Singapore, overseen by the prestigious Dulwich College in London.

Curriculum: English National Curriculum

Address: Pun Hlaing campus, Pun Hlaing Golf Estate Avenue, Hlaing Thayar Township, Yangon

Star City campus, Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Road, Thanlyin Township, Yangon

Tel: +95 1 687701

Email: [email protected]

website: http://yangon.dulwich.org/

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Local News in English

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Myanmar Times

The Myanmar Times has the latest news from across Myanmar, covering national events, business, sports, opinion, in depth analysis.

Website: www.mmtimes.com

 

Mizzima Myanmar

Since its founding the aim of Mizzima has been to provide high quality news relating to Myanmar, contributing toward freedom of expression and the free flow of information in the public interest. 

Website: www.mizzima.com

 

Eleven Myanmar

Website: www.elevenmyanmar.com



The Irrawaddy News Magazine

News covering Burma and Southeast Asia

Website: www.irrawaddy.org

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Country Information 

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Location: Asia

Capital City: Naypyidaw

Other Important Cities: Yangon

Currency: Kyat

Language: Burmese

Calling Code: +95

Internet TLD: .mm

Electricity: The country runs on 230V 50Hz.



Emergency Numbers:

Ambulance: 199

Fire: 191

Police: 199



Country Information

en.wikipedia.org

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Embassy Information

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Looking for your local embassy in Myanmar? We found this link really useful...



embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/myanmar

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Residents Visa and Work Permit information

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Nationals from the following countries may enter and stay in the country for 14 days: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam. By 2014 a visa-free travel policy is planned to be introduced for ASEAN nations.

Visa on arrival is available for foreigners from: EU, Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States.



Other nationals not included in the exemption and visa on arrival provision, must obtain a visa through a Myanmar embassy or consulate in their home or host country. For more info please visit: www.mofa.gov.mm/?page_id=418

Visas available for foreigners are: tourist visa, entry visa, business visa, multiple journey entry visa and diplomatic or official visa.



Expats who plan to stay for an extended period in Myanmar normally apply for business visas, valid for up to 70 days.

Documents required:

• Valid passport, minimum 6 months
• Completed application form (1.5 in x 2 in, white background)
• Copy of flight itinerary
• Recommendation letter of employer address to Visa Section, Embassy of the Republic of the union of Myanmar. This document describes briefly the occupation, purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates of the expat.
• Invitation letter from a Myanmar individual or organization
• Visa fees

For more information visit the Myanmar Embassy >>

To extend the stay further, expats apply for ‘permit to stay’, through a local sponsor. This is valid from 6 months to one year. Permanent residency scheme is still in progress.

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Accommodation

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Housing options in Myanmar are various with a long range of rental prices that will suit any expat’s budgetary requirements. A 1 bedroom apartment can cost from $230 to $ 1,030 per month, while a 3 bedroom is around $500 to $2,400 per month. Prices will depend on the location, proximity to the city center and the amenities available nearby.



The former capital Yangon has an influx of international travellers and expats. Myanmar’s religious heritage and culture is very pronounced in the city. Foreigners will find it a little difficult to navigate through the city streets as most signs will be in the local language. Embassies, diplomatic organizations as well as international schools are located in Yangon.



The current capital, Naypyidaw is the opposite of Yangon. Government buildings from the old capital were rebuilt here and more infrastructures are in progress. Residential areas are organized within the city and allotments are made according to status; civil, marital and rank.



Meanwhile, the second largest city, Mandalay, remains to be the commercial center of upper Myanmar. It is also culturally diverse with expat populations from China, Thailand, Laos, to name a few.

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Driving License

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Expats are advised to hire a driver for the duration of their stay as a neither their domestic or international license is valid in the country. Expats may apply for a Myanmar Driving License at the Department for Road Transport and Administration, now based in Naypyidaw. The process is takes about 1 month. Only registered foreigners in a long-term visa, like a business visa, may do so.

For a detailed information on obtaining a license in Myanmar, please visit: www.myanmarrtad.com/?q=en/article/79

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Healthcare

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Facilities and services in Myanmar are limited to Mandalay and Yangon. Routine treatments and basic services are adequate. Cash payment is to be expected prior to receiving any treatment. It is highly advised to secure health insurance that can cover or reimburse the costs of treatment including medical evacuation. It is also recommended to stock up on personal medication, as these can be scarce and difficult to obtain.

 

Insurance Companies

 

MSH International ASFE

For twenty years, ASFE has designed and managed international healthcare insurance solutions for all mobile individuals: Expatriates living abroad alone or with their families, students, interns and young people with "Working Holiday Visas", self-employed persons or company employees, and seniors.

Address: 16, rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France

Tel. +33 (0)1 44 20 48 77

Fax +33 (0)1 44 20 48 80

Website: www.asfe-expat.com

 

Hospitals

YANGON

 

Asia Royal Hospital

Asia Royal Hospital is an 11th Storey twin building which was opened on the 18th March 2000. They are providing multidisciplinary medical care service with modern medical equipment.

Address: No. 14, Baho Street ,Sanchaung Township ,Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 538055

Fax: +95 1 537296

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.asiaroyalhospital.com

 

Pun Hlaing International Hospital

Pun Hlaing Hospital (PHH) was opened on May, 2005, to provide an international standard medical facility in Myanmar private sector. The Hospital has been rendering In-patient and Out-patient services.

Address: Pun Hlaing Golf Estate Avenue, Hlaing Thayar Township, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 684 323

Fax: +95 1 684 323

Website: punhlainghospital.com

 

International SOS Myanmar

They started their operations in Myanmar in 1987 and opened our first clinic and office in Yangon in 1995. Both are located at the Inlay Lake Hotel, a 15-minute drive from the airport and close to the business and residential districts.

Address: Dusit Inya Lake Resort, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 657 922

Fax: +95 1 667 866

Website: www.internationalsos.com/en/asia-pacific_myanmar.htm

 

Australian Embassy Health Clinic

Address: 62 U Wisara Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 531342

 

Sakura Medical Centre

Address: 23 Shin Saw Pu Road, Sanchaung Townshipm, Yangon, Myanmar

Tel: +95 1 510 079, +95 1 510 186

Fax: +95 1 510 131

 

MANDALAY

 

Mandalay Children's Hospital

Address: Cor. of 30th Street & 74th Street, Mandalay, Myanmar

Tel: +95 2 21508

 

Mandalay General Hospital

Address: 30th Street between 74th Street & 77th Street, Mandalay, Myanmar

Tel: +95 2 21041

 

Mandalay Orthopaedic Hospital

Address: 30th Street between 74th Street & 77th Street, Mandalay, Myanmar

Tel: +95 2 21511