Know the rules.
Shape your
investment.
Approvals, incentives and land use.
A clear starting point for
your Myanmar business plan.
Rights and incentives depend on eligibility, application and review.
This year’s changes, at a glance.
A funding test for tax incentives.
To qualify for relief in a promoted sector, an investor must be able to contribute at least 35% of the total investment stated in its application in cash. [3]
Check offshore loan and capital evidence
For offshore borrowing, retain CBM approval including the repayment schedule and evidence that the loan and foreign capital entered through an Authorized Dealer bank. This 35% test is not a foreign shareholding threshold. [3]
Updated procedures
for regional review.
Regional and state investment review procedures now address applications, changes, expansion, land rights, suspension and exit in a revised framework. [5] [6]
The framework is the 2016 Investment Law (amended in 2019) and 2017 Rules (amended in 2018), read with the 2026 notifications. [1] [2] [9] [10]
Find the route for your project.
Not every investment requires a Permit. First check Section 36, then assess the land rights and incentives you need. [1]
PermitInvestment permit
Investments in the following categories require an MIC permit before implementation.
- Strategic investments
- Large capital-intensive projects
- Significant environmental / community impact
- Use of state-owned land or buildings
- Other government-designated projects
Check the Rules and amendments for thresholds, impact criteria and exceptions for state land. [1] [2] [9]
EndorsementInvestment endorsement
For projects outside Section 36 that seek land-use rights or tax exemptions and reliefs under the Investment Law.
Apply to the MIC or the relevant state / regional committee. Jurisdiction depends on scale, activity and location. [4] [6]
Check sector conditions first.
Section 42 has four categories of restricted activities. Check MIC Notification 15/2017 alongside current sector notices and licensing conditions. [1] [7]
Reserved to the Union
Activities reserved to the government.
Closed to foreign investors
Activities not open to foreign investors.
Joint venture required
Requires a joint venture with a Myanmar citizen or citizen-owned entity.
Ministry approval required
Requires approval from the relevant ministry.
Section 41: prohibited investments
Includes hazardous or toxic waste imports; unapproved or experimental technologies and related items, except for R&D harm to ethnic traditions or the public; severe environmental or ecosystem damage; and goods or services prohibited by law. [1]
Check the Companies Law’s foreign-company test separately from sector ownership caps and joint-venture requirements. [7]
Incentives depend on place and purpose.
Income tax exemption
Eligible promoted activities can apply for an exemption based on the designated zone. These are consecutive years, including the year commercial operations begin. [1] [8]
Less developed
Moderately developed
Adequately developed
Other incentives and the separate SEZ framework
Conditional relief also exists for qualifying equipment during construction / preparation, export-production inputs and profit reinvestment. Special Economic Zones have a separate incentives regime; the 7 / 5 / 3-year schedule does not simply carry over. [1] [8]
A longer lease.
A clear set of conditions.
The basic lease framework for foreign investors with approved land-use rights under a Permit or Endorsement. [1]
Explore location & property support ↗Extensions require MIC approval. This grants use through a lease, not ownership. Check deed registration, title and permitted use.
Separate provisions permit longer extensions in less developed or remote areas, subject to additional approval. [1]From the first plan to ongoing operations.
- STEP 01
Define the project
Set out the activity, location, owners, total investment and cash / in-kind / loan funding.
- STEP 02
Check rules and jurisdiction
Check restrictions, permit criteria, land and tax needs, then consult DICA.
- STEP 03
Prepare and submit
Prepare the plan, corporate and ownership documents, land title, sector approvals and funding evidence.
- STEP 04
Manage after approval
Track approval terms, accounts, reporting, labour and environmental duties. Check procedures before changing the project.
An organising guide, not an exhaustive application checklist. Required documents and sequencing depend on the project. [1] [2] [4]
SOURCES & APPLICABILITYSources and applicable dates.
Sources and applicable dates.
Public sources checked on 13 October 2026. The base law, Rules and their amendments are distinguished from March and August 2026 changes. Notification 1/2026 was checked against DICA’s official translation; 5/2026 was cross-checked using two law-firm analyses.
This is a general guide. Confirm project eligibility and incentives against current notices, project facts and advice from the authority or a qualified professional. Foreign exchange, trade, environment and employment rules also require separate checks. This page does not update automatically.
- 01DICA · 18 OCT 2016
Myanmar Investment Law · Law 40/2016 ↗
DICA official translation. Sections 36–38: approval routes; 41–42: restrictions; 50: land; 65: responsibilities; 74–81: incentives.
- 02DICA · 30 MAR 2017
Myanmar Investment Rules ↗
Detailed permit criteria and procedures for applications, land rights and incentives. The PDF upload year is not the enactment year.
- 03MIC · 16 MAR 2026
Notification 1/2026 · Minimum criteria for tax relief ↗
At least 35% cash contribution, CBM approval and repayment schedule for offshore loans, and evidence of foreign capital / loan inflows through an AD bank. DICA posted this on 3 April 2026.
- 04DICA · APPLICATION GUIDE
Apply for an Endorsement ↗
Consultation, document preparation, submission to the MIC or a state / regional committee, and review. Checked 13 October 2026.
- 05DFDL · 25 AUG 2026
New investment scrutiny procedures ↗
Law-firm analysis of Notification 5/2026, dated 19 August 2026, replacing 26/2021; also covers Notification 4/2026 revoking Standard Criteria 1/2020.
- 06TILLEKE & GIBBINS · 15 SEP 2026
Rules for investment approvals and changes ↗
Law-firm analysis of Notification 5/2026. Cross-checks local and MIC authority, land-use applications, expansion, amendment, suspension and termination.
- 07JETRO · INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Foreign investment restrictions ↗
Overview of prohibited / restricted activities and MIC Notification 15/2017. Check current sector-specific notices for licensing and foreign investment conditions. Checked 13 October 2026.
- 08JETRO · INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
Investment incentives ↗
Cross-checks income tax zones, land use and incentives. The additional 2026 conditions are taken from MIC Notification 1/2026.
- 09GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION · 20 SEP 2018
Amendments to the Investment Rules · 76/2018 ↗
Government notification in English, hosted by Myanmar Law Library. Amendments cover permit criteria, state land, joint-venture contributions and reporting, among other matters.
- 10WIPO LEX · 06 JUN 2019
Law Amending the Myanmar Investment Law · 19/2019 ↗
Amending law to be read with the original 2016 Investment Law.