Myanmar embassies in Singapore and Philippines tie passport renewals to forced remittances

Myanmar nationals queue outside the Myanmar embassy in Singapore awaiting assistance in May 2022. (Photo: Kyaw Ye)

Myanmar embassies in Singapore and the Philippines announced this week that holders of Passports for Job (PJ), which are issued to nationals working abroad, must now provide receipts when renewing their passports showing that they have transferred 25 per cent of their salaries to families in Myanmar through regime-approved banks over the previous three months along with proof of income tax payments.

“The regime clearly needs money and is squeezing migrant workers through different methods. As long as we hold Myanmar passports, we have no choice [but to pay],” a Myanmar migrant worker in Singapore told DVB on condition of anonymity. Myanmar issues nine passport categories, including PJ, Passport for Visit (PV) for tourism, and Passport for Education (PE) for studying abroad.

The regime’s Ministry of Labour introduced a remittance requirement in September 2023 followed by the enforcement of a two per cent overseas income tax in December 2023. This requires Myanmar migrants to transfer at least 25 per cent of their total earnings through authorised financial channels, either monthly or once every three months.

​​The latest regime announcement, via its embassies, requires PJ passport applicants to provide documentary proof of compliance with the remittance and income tax requirements when renewing their passports.