Control on foreign residents in Myanmar.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 9:27 pm
Myanmar draft foreigner laws worry expats
YANGON - Two draft laws concerning foreigners are sending shockwaves through the expat community and could undermine the government’s stated priorities in attracting responsible foreign investment and promoting a human rights agenda, lawyers and business experts say.
Both the draft Law Concerning Foreigners and the Foreign Worker Law are pegged as priorities for the next Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session which opens on Jan 30.
In their current iteration, the laws would require foreigners who live and work in Myanmar to obtain a slew of documentation and undergo a medical examination within seven days of arriving in the country, and would also place restrictions on travelling or relocating.
According to a recently published draft, the Law Concerning Foreigners requires non-citizens who are above the age of 10 and who are planning on residing in the country for more than 90 days to obtain a foreigner registration certificate (FRC), and carry it at all times. While the stipulation is technically already on the books, the provision is rarely enforced.
Under the draft, failing to apply for the certificate could see the offender behind bars for up to five years.
The clause gaining the most attention, however, concerns internal travel. In order for the FRC holder to take a trip within Myanmar of more than 24 hours, the prior approval of a “registrar” –- defined as someone who heads a township immigration, manpower office or higher -– needs to be sought. Failure to obtain permission could result in a maximum one year prison sentence...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1 ... rry-expats
YANGON - Two draft laws concerning foreigners are sending shockwaves through the expat community and could undermine the government’s stated priorities in attracting responsible foreign investment and promoting a human rights agenda, lawyers and business experts say.
Both the draft Law Concerning Foreigners and the Foreign Worker Law are pegged as priorities for the next Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session which opens on Jan 30.
In their current iteration, the laws would require foreigners who live and work in Myanmar to obtain a slew of documentation and undergo a medical examination within seven days of arriving in the country, and would also place restrictions on travelling or relocating.
According to a recently published draft, the Law Concerning Foreigners requires non-citizens who are above the age of 10 and who are planning on residing in the country for more than 90 days to obtain a foreigner registration certificate (FRC), and carry it at all times. While the stipulation is technically already on the books, the provision is rarely enforced.
Under the draft, failing to apply for the certificate could see the offender behind bars for up to five years.
The clause gaining the most attention, however, concerns internal travel. In order for the FRC holder to take a trip within Myanmar of more than 24 hours, the prior approval of a “registrar” –- defined as someone who heads a township immigration, manpower office or higher -– needs to be sought. Failure to obtain permission could result in a maximum one year prison sentence...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1 ... rry-expats
