Awareness of Russia visa-free access remains low among Myanmar public
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Htet Nadi/Saw (NP News) - Feb 17
A foreign travel agent told the Statesman Journal that although Russia permits visa-free entry for Myanmar citizens, the Myanmar public is rarely aware of it.
The Russia-Myanmar mutual visa exemption agreement was signed in Minsk, Belarus, on October 28, 2025, and came into effect on January 27, 2026.
According to the agreement, the ordinary passport holders of Myanmar can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption in Russia and the visa-free travel must not exceed 90 days within a year.
This exemption does not apply to permanent residence, study, or work permits, so if an individual plans to stay for more than 30 days, he must apply for a visa extension in advance.
“There is little awareness of the visa-free regime. Despite some people know about it, they may be only a few,” he said.
Currently, business people are regularly visiting Russia, and tourists are likely to visit in April, when there are many holidays.
"Business people have to prepare in advance. It's not just because of the visa. They have to prepare other things in advance. They can't just go whenever they have money. They go after preparing for family holidays. As for big countries, they have to travel for a long time," he continued.
Myanmar Airlines International (MAI) will launch direct flights between Yangon- Mandalay and Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia, in September 2023.
The Food and Travel Expo was held in Novosibirsk, Russian Federation, on July 11, 2025. Myanmar presented samples of traditional Burmese foods such as Monhinga, tea leaf, and Myanmar wine at the event, and explained about local destinations and tourist attractions.
Furthermore, the exhibition aimed to connect hotel, tourism, and food service operators from Russia and Myanmar to cooperate with each other. Attendees took photos together in ancient Myanmar war leader costumes, royal counsellor costumes, and royal servant costumes, and performed Myanmar puppet dances, traditional harps, and U Shwe Yoe Daw Moe dances. –