Myanmar’s military junta has banned men aged 18 to 35 with work visas (PJ passports) from leaving the country, effective Thursday.

A young man who visited the Overseas Workers Identity Card (OWIC) issuing office in Yangon told MPA that the office has stopped issuing OWICs to men aged 18 to 35 seeking overseas employment.

 “When I went to apply for an OWIC card today, officials refused,” he told MPA.

 “They were turning away every man who came to apply. I saw that they processed applications for some women. I was told that the restriction applies to men aged 18-35.”

This restriction is compounded by a ban on departure for those with valid OWICs who have returned to Myanmar for visits. 

A Myanmar national living abroad shared his friends’ experiences: “Some of my acquaintances who returned to Myanmar from Singapore to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families have been banned from leaving. Junta officials at the airport are asking for military service exemption documentation from men aged 18-35 seeking to travel abroad, even if they have a valid OWIC.”

Following these reports, some Myanmar nationals abroad have urged those aged 18-35 with work visas (PJ passports) not to return to Myanmar at this time.

These travel restrictions follow the military regime’s recent enactment of the People’s Military Service Law and currently apply to men aged 18-35.