Mizzima
Despite the reopening of passport offices in Myanmar, securing a passport remains a labyrinthine quest, plagued by long lines and bureaucratic hurdles.
In Mandalay, thousands queue outside the immigration office in Aungmyaythazan Township, patiently hoping to be among the handful issued passports each day, according to a Mandalay resident.
“Thousands are lining up for passports, but as of the beginning of this month, only a few hundred people have received them,” said the resident. “Because online processes are available, I believe people in Yangon find it much more convenient.”
Late at night, a considerable crowd gathers to secure a place in the queue for the next morning. Kyaw Kyaw (pseudonym), who arrived at the line, said that those present during the night were subjected to physical assaults and threats by the army and police.
“People have to line up at night to get tokens. If not, they won’t get a token anymore. At that moment, the police and soldiers would come out, shout, and threaten. Some were beaten. This kind of thing happens almost every day, and it’s time-consuming for people who genuinely need a passport,” said Kyaw Kyaw.
Mandalay residents state that delays in the passport office are due to the absence of a systematic approach. Additionally, the presence of queue-place buyers who pay to secure a spot in the line and passport brokers exacerbate the situation, leading to complications and inconvenience for people coming from distant locations.
A Mandalay resident said, “Brokers get paid to line up on behalf of those who want passports. Consequently, individuals who queued up were unable to secure a token. It is worse for people travelling from far-off places.”
Passport applications must be made in person in all other states and regions; the Yangon Region is the only place where you can book an appointment without having to queue in line.
Since the coup d’état, people have faced the effects of income and expenditure inequality due to the scarcity of employment opportunities in the country and the excessive increase in commodity prices. They are desperately trying to obtain a passport to go abroad for work or school.
