Ask The Consul

If you have a question for the Consul, look below to see if it has already been answered. We welcome questions, and regularly post good questions to this site for the benefit of others. If you would like to ask the Consul a question, write to Consularrangoon@state.gov and write "Ask the Consul" in the email subject line.

I am a U.S. citizen and I guarantee that my family / friend applying for a tourist visa will return to Burma at the end of his trip in the U.S. Will that get him or her the visa?

No. Guarantees to return, and pledges of personal or financial sponsorship do not determine if an applicant meets eligibility requirements for a nonimmigrant visa. During an interview with a Consular Officer, an applicant’s eligibility is determined in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, such as those in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Someone I know was denied a visa according to 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. What does that mean?

Please see our information on 214(b) refusals.

Can I file an immigrant petition for my husband or wife at the Consular Office?

Yes, but you must meet all the requirements set forth by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before your petition will be accepted. Click here for more information.

Is it a requirement that both parents come to the Consular Office to apply for a passport for a child under 16?

Yes. As of February 1, 2008, by law, both parents must appear with the child, take an oath, and sign the child’s passport application in front of a Consular Official. For children under 16 you must bring the child’s birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) identifying the parents, and parents must have identification (ideally passports) for themselves.

Can I get money at the Embassy in an emergency?

Contact the Consular Office for assistance in getting funds if you run out of money while in country.

I’d like to submit documentation in support of an upcoming visa application. Can I do that, and if so, how do I do that?

Yes. Letters and information from U.S. citizens may be included in a visa application. We encourage you to submit the paperwork to the applicant to bring on the day of the interview. If the information is only a few pages long, you can email it to us at ConsularRangoon@state.gov or fax it to us at +95 (1) 650-480. Send the documentation to us after the applicant has submitted his or her passport and paper application to the Consular Office, which is usually one week before the interview date.

What is "travel registration" and why should I do it?

Travel Registration makes your presence in country known to the Embassy. If there is an emergency, if the Embassy issues a Warden Message, or if worried friends and family are trying to locate you through us, being registered helps. See our page on Travel Registration for more info.

How long is a Burmese tourist visa valid for an American while in Burma?

Check with Myanmar Travel and Tours (MTT), the official government tourist office for detailed information. Currently, a Burmese tourist visa is good for a 28 day stay in country, with the possibility to extend through MTT.

What can the Consular Office do if there is a dispute with a local business?

The U.S. citizen could consider hiring a local attorney. For your perusal, the Consular Section can provide a sample list of local attorneys who are known but for whom the Embassy does not advocate or vouch for their professional skills or practices. The Consular Section is not able to intervene in a business dispute. However, should both the U.S. citizen and the local business request, a Consular Officer may lend its ‘good offices’ to attend a meeting between the two sides as a neutral observer.

I am a U.S. citizen. Will U.S. law apply to me while I am in Burma?

As in all countries, the prevailing law is determined by the host government. We strongly encourage all visiting U.S. citizens to abide by the local laws of Burma.