Travel Advisory
Level 4Do Not Travel
Updated to reflect changes to risk indicators, restrictions on U.S. government personnel, and the “If you decide to travel to Burma” section. Do not travel to Burma due to armed conflict, the potential for civil unrest, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, poor health infrastructure, land mines and unexploded ordnance, crime, and wrongful detentions. Country Summary: The Burma 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. The military has responded to those protests with violence and by arbitrarily detaining protesters and bystanders. The Department has determined that U.S. nationals are at significant risk of wrongful detention by military regime authorities. Wrongfully detained U.S. nationals have been held in prison for years, often in poor conditions and without fair and transparent treatment or consistent access to U.S. Embassy officials or their families. Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing armed conflict and potential civil unrest in Burma, U.S. government employees working in Burma may be prohibited from traveling within the country. Due to the risks in the country, dependents under the age of 21 cannot accompany U.S. government employees who work in Burma. Armed conflicts occur throughout Burma, and the potential for civil unrest is high. The level of armed conflict and civil unrest varies significantly between and within states and regions and may change at any time. Attacks by opposition militia on locations connected to the military and security authorities regularly occur in Rangoon and many other parts of the country. Local opposition militia groups actively operate around the country. Travelers are cautioned of the potential for the regime to limit access to highways and airports, causing an isolating situation. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are used in the ongoing armed conflicts, including within the greater Rangoon area. From January to December 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon calculated an average of 21 explosions per month detonated against regime personnel and facilities in Rangoon. Outside of Rangoon, there have been IED attacks against checkpoints and military, administrative, and police facilities. Land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) exist throughout Burma, and their locations are often not marked or otherwise unidentifiable. The military regime will often arbitrarily enforce local laws, including detaining individuals without fair and transparent treatment. Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, are not excluded from this practice. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Burma may be detained, and regime authorities could deny a prisoner access to U.S. consular services or information about the alleged crime. Local law enforcement officials may also detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for speaking out or protesting 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 when they did so. Burma has limited and/or inadequate healthcare and emergency medical resources. As of April 2024, the Burma military regime began implementing a military conscription law for males up to age 45 and females up to age 35. The military regime may prevent departure of people they view as eligible for conscription, including U.S. citizens who previously held Burmese nationality, and force them into the military. Crime in Burma has been increasing. Violent crime against foreigners is rare, but there have been incidents involving attacks by taxi drivers and muggings. People are advised to take particular care when taking taxis late at night. Foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, have been trafficked into Burma and forced to work in internet scam centers, often located in active conflict zones along Burma's eastern borders. These victims often respond to ads promising jobs in Thailand and are then forced or unwittingly lured into working at scam centers in Burma. Read the Country Information page for additional information on travel to Burma. If you decide to travel to Burma: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Embassy’s Consular Section on Facebook. Review the Country Security Report for Burma. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations and crowds. Avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths, and do not touch unknown metal objects due to risk of unexploded ordnance. Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Make back up plans to leave the country on short notice should conditions warrant, including evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review local laws and conditions before traveling. Review our website on Dual-Nationality. Visit our website for High-Risk Area Travelers. Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones. This is so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Review this list of documents to prepare for your trip. Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization. Erase any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials that could be considered controversial or provocative by local groups from your social media pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices prior to travel.
Full advisory on travel.state.gov →Updated: 2025-05-11T20:00:00-04:00
