Hi all,
I heard that in order to be permitted entry in Myanmar (US citizen), one must show proof of an outbound flight. Is this still correct? I just received my eVisa approval letter, though I have not yet booked my flights for Myanmar. I wanted to be sure that it would not negatively affect me once I arrive there (likely the end of March). Also, travel companions welcome :)
Thanks

How will it affect you? You are flying in and flying out. You will gave a ticket to show if required. However, no one is asked to show this unless they look like an undesirable person.
I do not have a ticket, hence my question. I would rather not book an outbound flight in advance, unless it was required, because while I'm there I may consider traveling over land to Laos. I didn't want to be tied down to any return dates/flights if I can help it.
Thanks

You can't travel overland to Lao at this time.
You can travel by land to one of four border crossings with Thailand or to one border crossing with India or perhaps to China (unclear on this, do a search of TT). But not to Lao.
In terms of your original question, see my earlier response about the likelihood of being asked to show a return ticket. It rarely if almost never happens, but the regulations provide that possibility.
Many reports here from frequent travellers stating they have never been asked about return flight. I never have been asked. After all, many peeps fly in with an evisa approval and leave by land.
SS

To clarify - you can travel overland to Laos...just not directly at a border crossing...the OP isn't necessarily saying they hoped to cross direct from Myanmar to Laos (which is not possible, not yet)...they may simply be saying they plan to exit Myanmar via land and then travel on to Laos....
As SS would be aware - there have been several posts on Trip Advisor from people who had trouble boarding their plane (one out of Vietnam, another couple out of Bangkok) for flight to Myanmar...IE. they were not allowed to check-in without an outbound ticket, when travelling with an E-visa. The OP states they will have an E-visa, and sounds like they plan to fly in, so this could potentially be a problem for them, depending who they fly with.
Yes, they can exit via land if they enter via air, or enter with a embassy Visa or an E-visa...Myanmar Immigration don't care or ask about outbound flight tickets, and never did even when that was basically the only way in/out....
But the problem is some airlines/staff not letting people check in with an E-visa if they don't have outbound ticket.
Not a problem. The most recent for me was a year ago, but there's more recent reports on these forums.
I would think if you were flying directly from the US there's a small chance the airline employees won't be sure if it's OK, but since I assume you'll be transiting in Thailand or elsewhere the region, it's not likely the local airline staff won't be aware you can depart via land.

as I mentioned above...there have been 2 separate posts on TA from people, with E-visas, who tried to check in for flights FROM BANGKOK, and 1 in Vietnam, and were refused until they quickly purchased an outbound ticket...
So it IS a potential problem....maybe it is only with certain airlines, or maybe certain inexperienced staff...??

Hi Marie,
I'll be in Myanmar from March 19 to 28. Let me know if you are interested in pairing up.
Tammy
This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.