According to some officials from foreign employment agencies, there have been increasing reports of people being turned back at the airport and not being allowed to board the aircraft if they do not have a valid PV (passport) for traveling to foreign countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

A representative from a foreign employment agency in Yangon, which connects jobs to Malaysia and Singapore, said: ‘It is quite common for young women traveling to Singapore with PV passports to be turned back. Similarly, young people going to Malaysia also face many instances of being sent back from the airport. On some days, there are at least ten such cases of being turned away. Although Thailand does allow entry, they are selective. Young people from other regions traveling to Thailand with PV passports also experience rejections. We receive many requests for help, but we cannot do anything about it. The airport authorities have full decision-making power and are operating through various coordinated teams.’

Additionally, for young men aged 23 to 32 traveling abroad with PV passports, there are questions such as, ‘What will you do there? Will you return? How long will you stay?’ They are also required to show return flight tickets, show money, and hotel bookings. Some young men, even when presenting the requested documents, are still not allowed to board the plane and are sent back.

A representative from a travel agency in Yangon, which sells airline tickets and provides airport check-in and pick-up services, explained:

‘Young men between the ages of 23 and 32 are scrutinized very strictly. Even if they present return flight tickets, show money, and hotel bookings, they are still not allowed to board the plane. The reason given is that they may not return, so they are turned back. Every day, many young men face such rejections. For women, if they are traveling to Singapore to work as housemaids, they are often rejected for not meeting the requirements.’

Some young people have been found to receive permission to travel abroad using PV passports by presenting signed documents from parents or guarantors.

The military council officially announced on August 14 that all departures from Myanmar with PV passports for work visas will be strictly checked and restricted at airports and border gates.

It has been stated that anyone traveling abroad for work must be registered as an overseas worker with the Ministry of Labour and obtain an Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC) before they are allowed to work abroad. According to the Overseas Employment Law of 1999, workers who travel abroad for employment without proper registration will not be allowed to depart due to non-compliance, and restrictions will be enforced accordingly.

Therefore, individuals traveling abroad for employment must use the Passport for Job (PJ) issued specifically for work purposes. They must also be registered with the Ministry of Labour before they are permitted to work abroad, as announced by the military council.

Currently, the military council has restricted young men aged 23 to 32 from traveling abroad for work using PJ passports.