The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration ("DICA") has announced its recommendation policy regarding extensions for foreigner visas which took effect from 14 September 2022. The announcement states that companies intending to issue a letter of recommendation to extend a foreigner’s visa must meet certain requirements which include the following:
- The company must have been registered with DICA for at least one year;
- The application for extension must be lodged with DICA at least 90-120 days before the expiration of the foreigner’s current visa;
- Companies that were previously suspended or struck-off are not able to issue recommendations. They may only do so after one year of compliance of the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (MCL);
- Inform DICA of any change of local address of the foreigner; and
- Submit supporting documents. Examples include a CV Form of the foreigner, tax returns/audit reports, previous income tax payments (if the foreigner requests a further extension of visa), Employment Contract, Terms of Reference and job description of the employee’s duties, and evidence of kinship of the relevant foreigner.
Resident foreigners who fail to obtain the permit will risk imprisonment of a term which may be between six months to five years, or with a fine of minimum of Myanmar Kyats (MMK) 1,500, or both.
