1. Starting from 1 May 2026, Myanmar workers returning to Myanmar on leave must obtain a Letter of Permission for Leave from their employer and have it verified and endorsed by the relevant Myanmar Embassy, mission, or Consulate-General, and must apply for permission to depart again by submitting the required documents along with the endorsed letter issued by the relevant authorities.
2. For workers who returned to Myanmar before 1 May 2026, those who have exceeded a leave period of more than one month, or whose country of employment and workplace differ from those stated on their OWIC, must provide valid reasons and supporting evidence for exceeding the one-month leave period.
3. In most countries where Myanmar citizens are employed, among the prescribed types of leave, except for maternity leave, family care leave, and medical leave, general leave, including annual leave, is typically limited to a maximum of one month. Therefore, verification is conducted to ensure that returning workers are genuinely on approved leave. This is also to ensure that Myanmar workers can be protected under the relevant laws of the host country if they encounter any difficulties at their workplace, as stated in their OWIC, by confirming the actual employer and workplace where they are currently employed.
4. Therefore, Myanmar citizens holding PJ passports who are working abroad and re-enter Myanmar on leave are informed that, to ensure their timely return to their respective workplaces overseas and to avoid loss of employment opportunities, applications with complete and accurate documents will be processed and approval for overseas departure and issuance of a new OWIC card will be performed within one week (including public holidays) systematically and as quickly as possible.

Department of Labour

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar