Tourists buy items from vendors on Inlay Lake, a major tourist attraction which is recognized as an ASEAN heritage site. Photo: Mizzima

“Starting from June 1 [2012], we granted visas on arrival to tourists from 26 countries. Now, we are planning to grant visas on arrival to tourists from 22 more countries,” an official from the Department of Immigration and National Registration told Mizzima.

In granting visas on arrival to tourists and businesspeople from another 22 nations, the Burmese government said it is recognizing the countries that have made large investments in the country.

The 22 new countries include the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Denmark, and Latin American countries Brazil, Mexico and Columbia.

After starting to issue visas on arrival in Burma in June, about average 50 to 60 additional foreign tourists have been entering Burma every day, Immigration Minister Khin Yi said.

To get a visa on arrival, a tourist needs to have a passport issued by a one of the qualifying countries, and two passport photographs taken within the previous six months. If a person wants a business visa, he or she must have a letter of introduction from a relevant company.

Speaking to Mizzima, Saw Aung, a Burmese tourism operator, said, “If a foreigner wants to open a company in Burma, he must submit an application form along with the company’s registration certificate, company license and the copy of the official permission issued by the relevant Ministry in Burma. If a foreigner wants to get a business visa in Burma, he must submit the necessary information including the name and location of the factory or firm, and the name and job position of the person who has officially invited the foreigner.”

Initially, Burma granted visas on arrival only at Yangon International Airport. In October, on-arrival visas also became available at Mandalay International Airport.

The original 26 counties are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States of America.