3 April 2020
Location: Burma
Event: The U.S. Embassy has tentative approval for a repatriation flight for U.S. citizens on April 6, 2020. The flight will fly from Yangon to San Francisco on a chartered aircraft. We are waiting to confirm times for departure and arrival. The flight is still awaiting landing approval from the Burmese government.
To be manifested on this flight, all approved passengers will need to sign a promissory note for approximately $1,198, agreeing to reimburse the U.S. government for their seat. No cash or credit card payments will be accepted.
U.S. citizens who wish to join this flight should make immediate plans to travel to Yangon. The U.S. government will not organize pick-up service from other cities across Burma. We cannot guarantee seats on this flight for all who are interested. Please read our prioritization information below for how we plan to assign seats.
U.S. citizens who have already filled out the form expressing interest: We have registered your interest, no further action is required. Expect emails in the near future with further details.
U.S. citizens who have filled out the form expressing interest but do not want to join this flight: Email us at ACSRangoon@state.gov to notify us so we can make seats on the repatriation flight available to others.
U.S. citizens who have not filled out the form but want to join this flight: If you have not filled out our form, please do so now to express interest in joining: http://tinyurl.com/srly386. Submit one form per traveler, even when traveling in a group.
We will send another message this afternoon with further details on next steps.
Prioritization: There may be limited seats on the flight. If demand exceeds the number of seats, repatriations will be prioritized in the following manner:
- U.S. citizens at higher risk from COVID-19, along with their immediate family members.
- U.S. citizen minors and their U.S. citizen parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or one foreign national parent/legal guardian or escort.
- All other U.S. citizens on a first-come, first-served basis.
All passengers will be subject to screening prior to boarding and the Embassy reserves the right to deny boarding privileges to any person who presents a health or security concern. Upon entry in the United States, passengers on this flight may be subject to U.S. CDC screening, health observation, monitoring requirements and existing Department of Homeland Security entry requirements. Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Who is eligible to be included in a repatriation flight?
U.S. citizens are eligible. One parent or guardian escorting a U.S. citizen minor is eligible, provided they have a valid U.S. visa. The Embassy will not adjudicate visa applications in support of evacuation operations.
Others who may be eligible: Foreign spouses or children of U.S. citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents. Listed below are minimum requirements for those categories. Even if you meet the criteria we cannot guarantee you will receive a seat.
Foreign Spouse:
- Valid visa for entry to the United States
- Valid foreign Passport
- Original evidence of qualifying relationship to U.S. citizen on the flight (e.g. original marriage certificate)
Child of a U.S. citizen:
- Original birth certificate clearly indicating the parent’s U.S. citizenship.
- Valid visa for entry to the United States
U.S. Legal Permanent Resident (LPR):
- I-551 U.S. permanent resident card, foreign passport, and evidence of residency in the United States in the past 12 months.
- If you have not been physically present in the United States in the past 12 months, you do not qualify for repatriation as an LPR.
- An LPR’s family members who have not obtained I-551 U.S. permanent resident cards are not eligible for evacuation assistance.
Onward Travel: Passengers must arrange their own travel from San Francisco to their final destination. The U.S. government will not assist with your domestic travel.
Luggage: Each passenger may bring two pieces of checked luggage, 50 lbs. each, and one piece of carry-on luggage.
Pets: Pets are allowed at no additional cost. If you intend to bring a pet, email us at ACSRangoon@state.gov to inform us. You must secure Burmese government export permission yourself.
Commercial Flights: Several commercial “relief flight” options remain available, flying from Yangon to Seoul on Myanmar Airways International (MAI) and on Korean Air, and to Tokyo on All Nippon Airways (ANA). Seoul and Tokyo are viable transit options for return to the United States. If availability exists on the above-mentioned flights we encourage you to consider purchasing tickets.
Actions to Take:
- If you are unable to secure a commercial return flight, U.S. citizens who want to join the repatriation flight should fill out this link and submit one form per traveler.
- Also, consider utilizing a commercial “relief flight” option, transiting Seoul or Tokyo to return to the U.S.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Burma.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Read information for U.S. citizens about a U.S. government-assisted evacuation.
- Read what the Department of State can and can’t do in a crisis.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma
110 University Ave
Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Burma
Phone:
From Outside Burma: +95-1-753-6509
From Within Burma: 01-753-6509
Email: acsrangoon@state.gov
Website: https://mm.usembassy.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Burma Country Information
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