Travelling on a Myanmar passport? Korea renewals drop upfront KRW 50,000

The Myanmar Embassy in Seoul has cancelled the KRW 50,000 advance application fee it had introduced for passport renewals. Myanmar nationals living in the Republic of Korea will no longer pay the charge when applying to renew a passport that still has nine months of validity remaining.

Key facts

• Announced: 7 November 2026 by the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul
• Fee scrapped: KRW 50,000 per person advance application charge
• Who it affects: Myanmar nationals residing in the Republic of Korea
• Which passports: those with nine months of validity remaining, renewing early
• Reason given: equal treatment of all passport renewal applicants

What is changing?

On 17 October, the embassy had announced that passport holders with nine months of validity remaining who wished to renew early would be charged KRW 50,000 per person as an advance application fee. The embassy has now revoked that requirement and confirmed that applicants will no longer be asked to pay it.

The embassy said the charge was withdrawn so that all applicants renewing their passports are treated equally.

Who is affected?

The change applies to Myanmar nationals residing in the Republic of Korea for various reasons who apply to renew their passports through the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul. It is aimed in particular at holders whose passports still have nine months of validity left and who want to renew ahead of expiry.

When did the change take effect?

The embassy announced the waiver on 7 November 2026, replacing the fee it had announced on 17 October. The source does not state a separate start date beyond the announcement, nor does it say whether the fee is being refunded to anyone who already paid it.

What this means for travellers

Myanmar passport holders in South Korea planning an early renewal no longer need to budget for the KRW 50,000 advance charge. Anyone who paid the fee before the announcement would need to confirm with the embassy directly whether any refund applies, as the source does not address this.

The embassy has not stated whether other passport fees or renewal requirements remain unchanged, so applicants should verify current conditions before submitting a renewal.