Build a company.
Keep it moving.
Incorporation, ownership and ongoing duties.
A practical foundation for
your business in Myanmar.
Plan beyond registration, into everyday operation.
Three numbers to start with.
The core requirements for a private company limited by shares. [1] [2]
One or more shareholders
Individuals or corporations can hold shares.
At least one share must be issued.
One or more directors
At least one director must be
ordinarily resident in Myanmar.
Residence in each 12-month period
At least 183 days in each statutory 12-month period, or permanent residence under applicable law.
For a new company, the residence period starts on its registration date; existing companies have a commencement-date rule. Nationality alone does not establish residence. Private companies generally have up to 50 members, subject to the employee and joint-holder provisions in Section 1. [1]
Define the constitution and shares
The constitution sets the company’s rules. Consider the model constitution or tailored provisions. Shares have no par value and may carry different rights. [1]
Confirm addresses and identities
Provide a registered office in Myanmar. Prepare director and shareholder information, with NRC / passport identification as applicable. [3]
Apply through MyCO
Submit the name, constitution, officers, shareholders and share details through MyCO. Separately assess sector licences and any MIC application. [2]
Public companies and overseas corporations
Public companies require at least three directors, including at least one Myanmar citizen who is ordinarily resident. An overseas corporation is incorporated outside Myanmar, unlike a foreign-owned company incorporated in Myanmar. Its registration requirements, forms and annual filing deadlines differ. [1] [2]
Official online filing fees
Checked 13 October 2026. Excludes professional fees, other filings and late fees. [5]
A name check goes beyond exact matches.
DICA published name-assessment criteria covering visual and phonetic similarity, added generic words and expressions that could imply an official connection. [7] [8]
Cross-checked against two law-firm analyses from May 2026. DICA makes the final approval decision.
35% defines the company’s classification.
A Myanmar-incorporated company is a foreign company where overseas corporations or foreign persons own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of its ownership interests. Review control as well as the registered shareholding. [1] [2]
Exactly 35%
This level of foreign ownership / control alone does not make the company a foreign company under the MCL.
More than 35%
Classified as a foreign company. A change in this status must also be notified to DICA.
Company upkeep starts on day one.
The Annual Return confirms your company’s MyCO particulars. Track the first filing and annual deadlines from the incorporation date. [4]
Set up the company records
Check the registration, members, directors, constitution, paid-up capital and office. Assign responsibility and filing dates.
First AR after incorporation
File within two months of incorporation. Submit any required changes to registered particulars first.
Each incorporation anniversary
Thereafter file at least once each year, no later than one month after the incorporation anniversary.
Manage the AR deadline separately from IRD tax return deadlines. Tax overview ↗
Failure to file may lead to suspension and removal from the register. [4]
Prepare first-AR supporting documents early
Cross-checked against analysis of DICA’s 1 April 2023 announcement and a May 2026 practice memo. Applicable newly incorporated companies should prepare these records and confirm submission requirements with MyCO / DICA. [9] [10]
- Evidence that paid-up capital was deposited into the company’s bank account.
- Identity and residential evidence for directors / individual members, including applicable foreigner-registration evidence such as Form C; corporate documents for corporate members.
- Township police confirmation of the registered-office location.
| Change | Timing | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Members / share registerMCL Section 96 | Within 21 days of the change | C-3 ↗ |
| Directors / officer particularsMCL Section 189 | Within 28 days of the change | D-1 ↗ |
| Registered office addressMCL Section 141 | Before changing the address | C-4 ↗ |
| Alteration of constitutionMCL Section 18 | Within 28 days of the special resolution | C-1 ↗ |
These are selected filings. Check supporting resolutions and consents for share transfers and director changes. Keep company and financial records, and assess accounts, audit and meeting obligations for the entity type and applicable rules. [6] [9]
SOURCES & SCOPESources, dates and scope.
Sources, dates and scope.
Checked on 13 October 2026, with a focus on private companies limited by shares. The law and official MyCO guidance are distinguished from law-firm analysis. This overview does not cover every sector licence, tax-residence rule, dispute or insolvency procedure. Confirm current authority requirements and obtain professional advice for your specific situation.
- 01DICA · LAW 29/2017
Myanmar Companies Law 2017 ↗
English text published by DICA, labelled Unofficial Translation. References include Sections 1, 4, 18, 60–62, 96–97, 141 and 189.
- 02DICA · COMPANY REGISTRATION
Register your company ↗
MyCO registration, entity types, the 35% threshold, shareholders and directors. Checked 13 October 2026.
- 03MYCO · HOW-TO GUIDE
How to register a new company ↗
Application information: name, addresses, identification, shareholders, shares and constitution. Checked 13 October 2026.
- 04DICA · FORM AR / SECTION 97
Annual Return · Form AR ↗
First and annual filing deadlines, updating registry particulars and consequences of non-filing. The upload folder year is not the rule’s commencement date.
- 05MYCO · FORMS & FEES
Prescribed forms and filing fees ↗
Online fees: A-1, MMK 300,000; AR, MMK 50,000. Also references C-1, C-3, C-4 and D-1. Checked 13 October 2026.
- 06MYCO · DIRECTORS GUIDE
Guide for directors ↗
Directors’ responsibilities, company and financial records, registry updates and annual returns. Checked 13 October 2026.
- 07DFDL · 28 MAY 2026
Company name approval guidelines ↗
Law-firm analysis of similar names, restricted words and post-registration name changes. This is analysis, not the guideline itself.
- 08VDB LOI · MAY 2026
Company name criteria · 18 May 2026 ↗
Law-firm May 2026 Law Digest. Cross-checks publication date and treatment of similar names.
- 09LUTHER · MAY 2026
Legal obligations of companies ↗
Law-firm memo updated May 2026. Cross-checks resident directors, change filings, first-AR supporting documents and corporate records.
- 10DFDL · 26 DEC 2023
First annual return: supporting documents ↗
Analysis of DICA’s 1 April 2023 announcement: paid-up capital, identity / residence and registered-office evidence. Cross-checked against Luther’s 2026 memo.