Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to Myanmar due to the risk of: politically-motivated violence terrorist attacks kidnapping arbitrary arrest and detention civil unrest during the ongoing armed conflict If you're in Myanmar: leave now if you can do so safely shelter in a safe place if you're in an area with ongoing conflict be aware that the Government of Canada's ability to provide consular assistance and other support in this country is extremely limited keep in mind that you are responsible for your own safety and that of your family Canadians in need of consular assistance should contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre. We strongly recommend that Canadians sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information.
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to:
- Chin State
- Kachin State
- Kayah State
- Kayin Sate
- Mon State
- Rakhine State
- Sagaing and Magway regions
- Tanintharyi Region, excluding Myeik township, and the archipelago and townships south of Tanintharyi township
- Shan State North
- North Mandalay Region
- the townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin
- East of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Bago region
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- Shan State South and East
- Mandalay Region
- Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township
- the rest of Bago region
- the townships of Kyangin, Myanaung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Thabaung and Pathein in Ayeyarwady region
The conflict is Myanmar is increasingly volatile. The security situation may deteriorate at short notice and the military regime can introduce travel restrictions at any time. Consider your travel plans carefully.
Do Not Travel
Do not travel to Burma for any reason due to armed conflict, unrest, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, poor health infrastructure, landmines and unexploded ordnance, and crime. The Burmese military regime deposed elected leaders and officials in a February 2021 coup d'état. Protests and demonstrations against military rule can occur on significant dates and have the potential for violence. Unrest Due to the ongoing armed conflicts and civil unrest in Burma, U.S. government employees working in Burma may not be allowed to travel within the country. Due to safety risks, minor dependents cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Burma. Armed Conflict Armed conflicts occur throughout Burma. Instances of civil unrest are common. The amount of armed conflict and civil unrest varies across states and regions. The situation may change at any time.
- Opposition militias often attack facilities affiliated with regime security forces and administrative authorities in Rangoon and other areas
- Local opposition militia groups operate throughout the country
- Be aware that the regime may limit access to highways and airports
- This could lead to isolation
- Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help
Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Improvised Explosive Devices Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are used in the ongoing armed conflicts, including within the municipal Rangoon area. From January to December 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon calculated an average of 6 explosions per month.
- These blasts targeted regime personnel and facilities in Rangoon
- Outside of Rangoon, IED attacks have hit checkpoints, as well as military, administrative, and police facilities
Unexploded Ordnances Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout Burma. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked nor easy to recognize. Arbitrary Enforcement of Laws The military regime will often arbitrarily enforce local laws, including detaining individuals without fair treatment or a transparent legal process. This affects Burmese citizens and foreigners, including Americans. Americans traveling or residing in Burma may be detained, and regime authorities may deny a prisoner access to U.S. consular services or information about the alleged crime.
- Prisoners do not have regular access to legal counsel
- Local law enforcement officials may also detain or deport Americans for speaking out or demonstrating against the military regime, including on their personal social media accounts, and for sending private electronic messages critical of the military regime, regardless of whether they were physically in Burma at the time
- Remember that in countries around the world the U.S. embassy will work to monitor your health and safety in detention but cannot guarantee your release
Most Americans who are convicted of committing a crime overseas serve out their sentences in prisons in that country. Healthcare Burma has limited or inadequate healthcare and emergency medical resources. Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Review our information on Travel Insurance. Conscription Laws As of April 2024, the Burma military regime implemented a military conscription law. It applies to males up to age 45 and females up to age 35. The military regime might prevent people they view as eligible for conscription from leaving the country. This includes Burmese-born Americans. Crime Violent crime against foreigners is rare. But there have been incidents of muggings and attacks by taxi drivers.
- Be careful when taking taxis late at night
- Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime
Scam Centers Foreign nationals, including Americans, have been trafficked into Burma. They have been forced to work in internet scam centers.
- These are often located in active conflict zones along Burma's eastern borders
- Victims often respond to ads promising jobs in Thailand
- They are then forced or unwittingly lured into working at scam centers in Burma
- Review our information on Americans Missing Abroad and for Victims of Crime
- Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas
