So today, we crossed the border overland into Myanmar from Chiang Mai (Thailand), at the Mae Sai-Tachileik border.

(Just a bit of a disclaimer; I’m with a tour group for my time in Myanmar and the only reason we are crossing this way is so we can visit the northern village of Kengtung- if you don’t have intentions of visiting here, I would HIGHLY recommend flying into whichever city you plan on starting in because you have to take a flight from Kengtung to get anywhere else anyway.)

Step 1- Make sure you have your visa

Traditionally, getting visas for the countries in Southeast Asia meant sending off your passport for weeks on end until eventually they stuck a page in it and sent it back.

You can still do this for Myanmar but they have also recently opened up the option for travellers to apply online for a visa as long as you are entering via one of the international airports or the pre-determined borders. (Click here for the link to the eVisa!)

The traditional visa you should allow 2-4 weeks for processing but the eVisa states up to 5-10 working days (mine came back in 3).

Step 2-Exiting Thailand

This was actually relatively easy! You line up with the rest of the foreign passport holders (this is signed in English for you!) and wait.

You have to present your passport and your departure card from Thailand and if you filled it out in Thailand when you arrived, the nice officials should have stapled it in your passport for you (like they did for us). Hand it all over, have your photo taken and poof you’re done!

Step 3-Myanmar Arrival Form

You get the form from the immigration people but to get there you need to cross the crazy road!

When you come out of Thai immigration, you’ll be on the left hand side of the road (when facing the gate) and to get into Myanmar we need to be on the right. Still with me? Awesome! We had the opportunity to fill out the Myanmar arrival form prior to getting to the immigration desk. If you didn’t touch, they will give you the arrival card. It is in Burmese and English and asks all that basic stuff! Name, passport number etc. you know the drill- you did it in Thailand! You’ll need this piece of paper and your visa to get through immigration.

Step 4-Myanmar Immigration

When I was here, it was just a matter of lining up, presenting our passports, visa and arrival card- quick photo and you’re all stamped in!

Now I am aware that my tour guide had to do more paperwork and I think this was based on what we were doing in Myanmar and what the plans for us to leave are. So make sure you have this information readily available also.

That’s about it!

You walk probably 100meters and you’re in the city of Tachileik! Don’t forget to take money out of the ATM here, because some don’t work in Kengtung!

 

Have you crossed the border into Myanmar before?

 

Happy Travels!