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CROSSING INDIA-MYANMAR FROM MOREH BORDER – A FIRST TIMERS EXPERIENCE
Travel GuideTravelogue

Crossing India-Myanmar from Moreh Border – A First-Timer’s Experience

by VV
written by VV

India shares more than 1600 kilometres of border with Myanmar. It is said there are few checkpoints on the border used for crossing by the citizens of both the countries. Although Moreh-Tamu border checkpost is the only place where international tourists are allowed to cross. Moreh is a small town in the Indian territory and Tamu is in Myanmar. Although overland crossing of the India-Myanmar border from Moreh is not promoted by the Burmese embassy. They always recommend entering Myanmar by air. This is what I experienced while getting a visa for Myanmar in 2015.

Documents required to get Myanmar visa from India

  1. Filled up application form (Get it from the official website – http://myanmedelhi.com/visa/)
  2. Confirmed round trip flight tickets
  3. Confirmed hotel bookings
  4. Two photographs  (Size 1½ x 2 inches, white colour background)
  5.  Passport, in original [with 6 months validity ]
  6.  Passport copy
  7. Visa fees – 2,800 INR, Only Demand draft acceptedTo get’ e-Visa’, Please visit Website Address: evisa.moip.gov.mm

Indians do not need a visa to visit Myanmar

Indians and Burmese citizens can cross the border without a visa. But this facility is available only for a day. Also, visitors have access only upto the nearest town, i.e. Moreh in India and Tamu in Myanmar. Visitors need to get a special permission which is very easy to obtain from the border checkpost. Watch this video to know How I crossed the India-Myanmar border to visit Tamu from Moreh for a day trip. This video was made in early 2015.

 

My experience: Crossing India-Myanmar border from Moreh

I attempted a trip to Myanmar in early 2015. Although I couldn’t enter Myanmar despite having a valid visa. The officials at the immigration office at the Moreh-Tamu border checkpost said that I was supposed to get a special permit called MTT. But there is no mention about such permit on the official website of the Myanmar embassy, New Delhi.

While planning this trip I came to know about this permit through information available on the internet. I called up the Embassy and emailed the officials of Tourism Ministry in Myanmar to get a confirmation on this matter. But none of them was answered. So I just tried my luck and started my journey. As anticipated, after reaching the border the officials checked my passport and visa. They were Ok with that. Then they denied entry when I couldn’t produce the so-called permit.

What is MTT permit

According to the information provided on the internet, MTT permit is needed to be produced while entering or exiting from Myanmar. MTT Permit can be obtained only through particular travel agencies based in Myanmar. They charge almost 100 USD to arrange for a permit. But to me, this seemed a little fishy. As there is no mention about this permit on the official platforms of the Government of Myanmar, it looks like a ‘scandal’ which involves few private travel agencies and probably some government officials.

MTT Permit Myanmar

MTT Permit Myanmar

I did not want to start my trip with promoting this act of corruption.  So I dropped my plan to visit Myanmar. Although I visited Tamu on the next day.

Documents required to cross India-Myanmar border overland

  1. Valid Visa
  2. A Special permit called MTT (No official confirmation)

Contact address of Myanmar Embassy in India

3/50F, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. Phone: +91 11 24678822, +91 11 24678823.  Email: [email protected]

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VideosTravel GuideTravelogue

Tamu: Now Indians can visit Myanmar without Visa

by VV
written by VV

I always thought Indians can visit only two neighbouring countries without Visa or a passport; they are Nepal and Bhutan. But my visit to Manipur proved me wrong. Myanmar is another neighbour which allows Indians to enter without a visa. Though you can visit only upto Tamu, a border village in Myanmar. Beyond Tamu, you will need a valid visa. But still, I think a day trip to Tamu may give you a glimpse of Myanmar. This is what I felt during my visit to Tamu in early 2015. Read my travelogue “Tamu: Now Indians can visit Myanmar without Visa” to know how to cross the India-Myanmar border from Moreh. You can also watch the video which I made during the visit explaining the whole entry process.

Several Indians and Burmese people cross the Moreh-Tamu border on a routine basis to earn their daily bread and butter.

Process of crossing India-Myanmar border from Moreh (only for Indians)

  1. Reach Moreh, the border town. It is a 3 hours drive from Imphal to Moreh.
  2. Cross the border from the ‘India-Myanmar friendship gate’
  3. Approach the Myanmar officials. The counter is on the left side of the road
  4. Provide the desired documents and pay the entry fees of Rs. 20 in cash
  5. Get an entry ticket and visit Tamu
  6. Surrender the entry ticket after coming back and take back your documents

Remember to approach the right gate. There are 2 gates to cross the border. Gate no. 1 (also known as the Iron bridge) is meant only for those having a valid visa and ‘Special permission’ to cross the border. Tourists going beyond Tamu use this gate. So if you have plans to visit Mandalay or Yangon, then this is the gate for you. Gate no. 2 (a.k.a ‘India-Myanmar Friendship Gate’) is only meant for Indians and Burmese. Citizens of both the countries are allowed to visit the nearest town across the border. Burmese visitors are allowed to go only upto Moreh in Manipur, whereas Indians can go upto Tamu in Myanmar.

This permit is allowed only for one day. Do not forget to come back by the gate closing time. Otherwise, you may land into some serious problems.

Moreh-Border opening and closing time

  • Border opens at 7 AM (Gate 2)
  • Border closes at 4 PM (Gate 2)

Documents needed for Indians to cross India-Myanmar border

  1. Voter ID card in original, or
  2. Aadhar card in original
  3. Rs 20 in cash

Indians are just required to submit their Voter ID or Aadhar card to the Burmese immigration authorities on the border. Pay Rs. 20 as entry fees and they will give an entry ticket. Keep this ticket safe till you come back. You have to surrender this ticket while going back to India, only then your documents will be returned to you.

How to reach Tamu from Moreh

  1. Cross the border from Moreh
  2. Walk a little in the market of Namphalon
  3. Catch an Auto Rickshaw; They charge Rs 20 per person
  4. Auto takes 15 minutes to reach Tamu
Watch this playlist of videos to know how I reached Tamu in just Rs 20

Things to do in Tamu

  1. Visit Tamu market, Purchase a locally made item as souvenir
  2. Visit Pungi Chow, a Buddhist Monastery located on a hill in Tamu
  3. Get panoramic views of Tamu town and Indo-Myanmar border from the ‘stupa’ at Pungi Chow (My video)
  4. Talk to the locals. They are friendly. Some of them understand English and Hindi (My video – Talking with locals)
  5. See the eco-friendly houses in Tamu. (Here is my video)
  6. Walk in Tamu town and get a glimpse of Myanmar
  7. Do not forget to come back India before the border gate closing time
Watch this playlist of videos to get a detailed idea of 'what to do' in Tamu, Myanmar.

FAQ – Myanmar Visa

  • Do Indians require visa for Myanmar?

Yes, Indians also need a Visa to visit Myanmar. But Indians can cross the Myanmar border to visit Tamu village without any visa.

  •  Where to get a visa for Myanmar in India?

Indians can get Myanmar visa from the Embassy of Myanmar. Address of Myanmar Embassy in Delhi is 3/50F, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Phone numbers  +91 11 24678822 & +91 11 24678823. Website of Burmese embassy  http://myanmedelhi.com.

  • What is the Myanmar’s visa fees?

Myanmar’s Tourist visa in India costs Rs. 2,800. It is valid for 28 days, but only Single entry is allowed.

  • Documents required getting Myanmar’s Visa?
  1. Duly filled up application Form
  2. Passport having atleast 6 months validity
  3. Photocopy of passport
  4. Two colour photos with white background (should not be old than 6 months)
  5. Copy of round trip air ticket
  6. Hotel booking confirmation (Get confirmed hotel bookings without payment – Click here)
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