The presence of a Stay Permit stamp in the passport is the basis for issuing a document called FRC (foreign registration card) to a foreign person. This document needs to be renewed every year. In other words, the FRC is a "Residence Permit" or "residence permit".

The FRC is the most important document which is grant the right to permanent residence in Myanmar. If a foreign person has such a document, they don’t need to obtain a passport. Most Chinese and Indian families who moved to Myanmar under the FRC document, continuing it annually in the Immigration Service, have been living quietly in the country for decades.

Children who were born in such families, according to the FRC of their parents, receive their own FRCS. Minor children with FRC have the right to study in schools and universities of any profile, except for technical and medical ones. They are also not allowed to enter military academies. In addition, persons with an FRC document aren’t subject to various social guarantees of Myanmar residents, although in reality this is not a serious obstacle to obtaining such a document.

If a foreign person with an FRC document doesn’t have a valid passport or doesn’t have a valid Myanmar visa in their national passport, such person will not be able to travel outside the country.

A foreign person who has an FRC document and has lived in the country for more than one year can apply for the NRC (National Registration Card), which is a citizen's card of the Union of Myanmar. 

Unfortunately, there is no exact information about how many years you need to live with FRC to get NRC. In this case, this problem is solved on an individual basis, in particular, the personal interest of the official responsible for this is taken into account.

Who can expect to receive FRC and NRC in the future?

Basic documents for the application:

• a duly completed and signed questionnaire in 4 copies;
• original passport with a validity period of at least 6 months with 4 copies of the photo page and 4 copies of the pages of the visa and permit to stay in Myanmar for a period of 3 years;
• original identify card with 4 copies;
• original medical certificate in 4 copies;
• 3 the latest color photos of a standard passport;
• (scanned photos are prohibited; photos must be taken within the last 6 months.)
• a scanned CD containing all the above-mentioned documents, including the fingerprints of the right and left hands and the applicant's signature.

1) Additionally for skilled workers/professionals.

Required documents:

• original degree or certificate of qualification in 4 copies;
• original certificate of work or service experience in 4 copies;
• original letter of appointment for at least one year with 4 copies.

2) Additionally for foreign investors.

Required documents:

• 4 copies of documents related to the company's registration, a valid license on Form 6, 26, a letter of recommendation from the Myanmar Investment Commission and the administrative committee of the Special Economic Zone.

3) Additionally for family reunification. 

Required documents:

• letter of recommendation from a sponsor in Myanmar;
• a copy of the applicant's national identity card;
• original identity cards of parents, grandparents with copies.

If the applicant wants to apply for their children:

• The notarized birth certificate.

4) Additionally for foreign citizens who are married to a Myanmar citizen.

Required documents:

• 4 copies of the official marriage certificate (older than 2 years of marriage) notarized;

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Foreign citizens and stateless persons are restricted in many rights compared to local citizens. 

They don't have the right:

• to be own and dispose of real estate and motor vehicles;
• vote;
• or hold any position in government agencies.

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Citizenship

A foreigner doesn’t have the right to acquire citizenship of the Union of Myanmar, even if he has a long period of continuous residence in the country. Children who were born from mixed marriages (where one of the parents is a Myanmar citizen) don’t automatically become Myanmar citizens, they must pass the naturalization procedure.