Those planning a visa-free trip to Myanmar need to be careful with mobile phones
Belarusians planning a trip to Myanmar, with which a visa-free regime was recently established, should take into account the new rules for importing mobile phones, warns the National Tourism Agency.
Myanmar authorities have tightened control over the use of foreign smartphones. Foreigners arriving in the country with phones that have not previously worked in local mobile networks must register their devices with the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
Through Myanmar's international airports in Yangon, Naypyidaw, and Mandalay, passengers are allowed to import no more than two mobile phones within a year. This number includes the device a person is using upon entry into the country.
If a smartphone is not registered in the CEIR system, it must be declared at customs. To do this, the tourist must fill out a passenger declaration and indicate the IMEI numbers of all mobile devices.
If an unregistered phone is used in Myanmar for more than 30 days, additional registration will be required, along with payment of the established tax and submission of necessary documents. Failure to do so may result in a fine for the smartphone owner.
For registration, a CEIR application, a passport copy, a boarding pass, an air ticket, and the original customs declaration will be required.
The new requirements have been introduced to control the use of mobile equipment in the country and combat illegal phone imports. Travelers are advised to check the status of their devices in advance before traveling to Myanmar.
The agreement between Belarus and Myanmar on visa abolition came into force on July 8, 2026. Now, citizens of Belarus with valid national passports will be able to stay in this country for no more than 30 consecutive days. The total visa-free period of stay cannot exceed 90 days within a year. The same applies to citizens of Myanmar — they will also be able to stay in Belarus for 30 days without a visa.
At the same time, it is worth noting that Myanmar is one of the most harshly authoritarian and undemocratic countries not only in Asia but also in the world. Therefore, it is very risky for those citizens of Belarus who live outside their country and have reasons to fear politically motivated persecution at home to appear on its territory.
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