VICE-PRESIDENT U Henry Van Thio, in his capacity as chairman of the Management Committee on Permanent Residency System for Foreigners, presided over its coordination meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
At the meeting the Vice-President said that the 1982 Citizenship Law does not allow dual citizenship. Myanmar has adopted the permanent residency system for foreigners who want to make investment in Myanmar, other experts, former Myanmar citizens and their family members to work for the socio-economic development of the State in line with the national reconciliation process of the country.
In accordance with the approval of the Union Government, bylaws for permanent residency for foreigners were issued on 18 November 2014, as order number 1/2014 by the Ministry of Immigration and Population; the Union Government later formed the management committee, the central committee and the work committee.
The present government has reformed these committees and issued the bylaws amending the bylaws of Permanent Residence of a Foreigner Rules. As a result, the permanent residency could be applied at Myanmar embassies, consulates and missions in foreign countries.
The existing administration has approved 444 persons for permanent residency, 4 persons were denied, and one person was still under scrutiny, out of the 434 applicants from 1 January 2016 to 12 January 2021, including applicants from 2015, while the other 10 persons will be interviewed personally.
The Vice-President added that the government earned US$150,000 from the initial application for the residency, $237,500 from issuing the certificates for permanent residence and identity card, $1,038,600 from renewal of residency, totalling $1,426,100.
At present, the central implementation committee has approved 617 persons, and the remaining 70 persons will be interviewed after the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by submissions to the Security, Peace and Rule of Law Committee and to the Union Government Office for final approval.
Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Soe Win, Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe, Union Minister for Construction U Han Zaw, Attorney-General of the Union U Tun Tun Oo, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Chan Aye and Director-General from the Foreign Economic Relations Department U Than Aung Kyaw reported on the works of their ministries for permanent residency processes.
In his concluding remarks, the Vice-President expressed his appreciation for the updated recommendations about these processes, and said that the amendment of rules on permanent residency could attract more applicants. He also reaffirmed that any Myanmar citizen would be reaccepted and they can apply for the status of permanent residency for a foreigner or for permanent citizenship in line with the laws.
The Vice-President also talked about the repatriation programmes for the citizens who were stranded in foreign countries, removal from blacklists for the citizens living in exile after they have been scrutinized in accordance with the existing laws, and the Union Government has shown clearly to the global community that Myanmar is scrutinizing only the citizenship of returnees during the COVID-19 period.
He also said that due to the strenuous efforts of the committees, the country was able to earn foreign income and investments, and attract technicians and experts who can work for the development of the country; for this, he wished to recognize and honour their contributions.
MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)
PHOTO: MNA
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