The Burmese government has announced the temporary suspension of tourist visa applications following the violent earthquake that struck the country on March 28. While humanitarian aid is struggling to reach the affected areas, the country is putting its fragile tourism recovery on hold.
On March 28, 2025, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar (formerly Burma), causing significant human and material damage. The regions of Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway were among the hardest hit, with thousands of buildings destroyed—including numerous Buddhist monasteries and schools.
According to the latest official figures, the death toll has risen to over 3,500, with several thousand more injured. Rescue operations are being severely hampered by damaged infrastructure: roads are impassable, hospitals are overwhelmed, and communication networks remain unreliable. International NGOs and the United Nations have issued an urgent call for global aid.
Myanmar suspends tourist visas from April 3
In response to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, Myanmar’s Ministry of Immigration and Population has announced the temporary suspension of tourist visa issuance, effective April 3, 2025.
Due to the recent earthquake, we regret to inform you that tourist visa applications will be temporarily suspended starting from 3 April 2025.
Ministry of Immigration and Population of Myanmar – April 3, 2025
However, the authorities clarified that business visa applications will still be accepted, signaling an effort to maintain some level of economic activity amid the ongoing crisis.
At the end of March, the ministry responsible for visa management explained that its operations center in Naypyidaw, the nation’s capital, had been affected by the quake, which could lead to delays in processing applications.
Myanmar’s fragile tourism recovery in 2024
Before the tragedy, Myanmar had only just begun to revive its tourism industry, which had been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing internal political instability.
In 2024, the country welcomed over 1.06 million foreign tourists. This figure was slightly down on 2023, when Myanmar attracted 1.28 million international visitors, five times more than in 2022.
Popular destinations such as Bagan, Inle Lake, and Yangon were gradually seeing a return of international travelers. However, lingering political unrest and security concerns continued to discourage a full rebound in Western tourism.
An uncertain future for Myanmar’s tourism sector
The suspension of tourist visas comes at a particularly challenging time for Myanmar, just as its tourism sector was beginning to get back on its feet. With infrastructure damaged and many heritage sites affected by the earthquake, short-term recovery prospects remain unclear.
Tourism stakeholders now face new challenges, particularly in terms of rebuilding and welcoming visitors. Some observers believe this could also be a moment to rethink the future of local tourism, with a renewed focus on resilience, safety, and cultural preservation.
