Bangladesh, Myanmar reinstated visa exemption for official passport holders

In a move to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar reinstated visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders with immediate effect.

“The article 2 on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders of Bangladesh and Myanmar under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on visa services between the two countries has been reinstated immediately,” said the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangoon on Thursday (Sept 21).

It said Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Md. Monwar Hossain has been pursuing in the recent weeks with Myanmar’s relevant authorities for resumption of the visa exemption services. Finally, Myanmar has agreed to resume the relevant provision on Sept 14, 2023. 

Foreign offices of both the countries have completed necessary formalities for the reinstatement of the MOU.

Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon through a diplomatic communication conveyed the consent of the Bangladesh Government to Myanmar.

The article 2 of the said MOU signed in 2004, was temporarily suspended unilaterally by Myanmar side since March 28 in 2020 as a precautionary restriction measure to control Covid-19 pandemic.

Under this MOU, diplomatic and official passport holders of both the countries will be allowed to travel in each other’s territory for a maximum period of 90 days without visa requirement.

The reinstatement of the MOU will not only facilitate official visits but also strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.