The office issuing Myanmar passports in Yangon city has closed since January 2 releasing no announcement as to when it will reopen, according to applicants and nearby residents.

Some sources close to the office said it could probably remain closed for about one or two months.  

“We learnt that the office closed on January 2. All office work has halted. I have had access to a QR Code. But I was not allowed to enter the office as it has been closed. There is no other work such as drawing passports or renewals. We don’t when it will reopen,” said a man who went to the office to apply for a new passport.  

A passport service agent said the office might have been closed due to shortages of raw materials or rewriting of online booking software.

Myanmar Passport Issuance Board announced on December 4 that the current online booking system would stop, urging the applicants not to buy QR codes from brokers at exorbitant prices.

The online booking system stopped on December 5, 2022. The announcement also said a new online booking system was being drawn and people may apply by themselves for passports.