Myanmar has earned over US$1.4 million from granting foreigners permanent residency under the current government, said Vice President Henry Van Thio. 

He was addressing the coordination meeting of the Management Committee on Permanent Residency System for Foreigners in Nay Pyi Taw on January 20. 

Under his government, the management committee, the central committee and the work committee for permanent residency were reformed and the bylaws amending the bylaws of Permanent Residence of a Foreigner Rules were issued. As a result, the permanent residency could be applied at Myanmar embassies, consulates and missions in foreign countries, he said. 

The current administration approved 444 persons out of the 434 applicants from 1 January 2016 to 12 January 2021 plus applicants from 2015, denied 4 persons and left one person still under security, while 10 other persons have yet to receive interviews. The State earned US$150,000 from the initial application for residency, $237,500 from issuing the certificates for permanent residence and identity card, $1,038,600 from renewal of residency, totalling $1,426,100, the Vice President said. 

As the 1982 Citizenship Law does not allow dual citizenship, Myanmar has adopted the permanent residency system for foreigners who want to make investment in Myanmar, other experts, former Myanmar citizens and their family members to work for the socio-economic development of the State in line with the national reconciliation process of the country, he remarked. 

In accordance with the approval of the Union Government, bylaws for permanent residency for foreigners were issued on 18 November 2014, as order number 1/2014 by the Ministry of Immigration and Population. Then, the Union Government formed the management committee, the central committee and the work committee, he added.