You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

August 27, 2025

Myanmar to Enforce Registered Office and Directors’ Address Requirements

Subscribe to Updates

Myanmar’s Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) has issued an announcement reinforcing compliance obligations under the Myanmar Companies Law (MCL). This follows recent updates to reporting requirements and signals increased regulatory scrutiny regarding registered office addresses and directors’ residential information submitted online via MyCO, Myanmar’s company registration system.

Key Compliance Areas

Under the MCL, every company must maintain a registered office for official communication and legal correspondence. Any change to this address must be reported to the DICA registrar.

In April 2023, DICA introduced additional reporting obligations for newly incorporated companies. The additional rules require companies to submit their Annual Return accompanied by verification documents within two months of incorporation. These documents include a recommendation letter from the relevant township police station or ward administrator confirming the operational status and physical location of the registered office. Directors’ residential addresses must also be verified through similar documentation, and foreign directors are required to submit the arrival notification form issued by the Immigration Department.

For companies operating through a virtual office, clarification from a DICA official indicates that the virtual office address must correspond with the registered address submitted via MyCO. A recommendation letter confirming the validity and operational status of the virtual office must be submitted.

Legal Consequences

The recent announcement signals that DICA will begin enforcing these requirements in earnest. Failure to comply with the additional reporting obligations may result in inspections and enforcement actions by the DICA registrar, or complaints from third parties. It may also lead to penalties or other legal consequences as prescribed under the MCL.

Recommended Actions

It is strongly advised that all newly incorporated companies and their directors:

  • Review their MyCO submissions for accuracy.
  • Secure the required supporting documents within the Annual Return deadline.
  • Ensure that all address information reflects the company’s actual and lawful operating premises.
Related Professionals

Practices

Corporate/M&A

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

January 8, 2021
At a meeting on December 21, 2020, the Thai Board of Investment (BOI) approved a series of stimulus packages aimed at encouraging local and foreign investment, as the government seeks to boost Thailand’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional investment incentives, which will be promoted by the BOI in the upcoming year, include a number of sector- and project-specific stimulus measures.   Additional Tax Incentives for Large-Scale Projects Projects in target industries with investment of at least THB 1 billion (approx. USD 33 million) over a 12-month period, starting from the issuance of the BOI promotion certificate, will be entitled to an additional 50% corporate income tax (CIT) deduction for a period of five years, calculated on top of the standard 5–8 year CIT exemptions offered under the normal BOI tax-incentive scheme. To obtain this special tax incentive, eligible projects may apply to the BOI from January 4 to December 30, 2021.   Stimulus Package for Digital Economy and Software Industry Projects that support digital technology adoption, such as software integration, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or big data analytics, may benefit from 50% CIT exemptions on profits generated from their existing BOI projects for an additional three years. Applications for the exemption must be submitted by the end of 2022.   Application Deadline Extensions for Special Economic Zones and Five Southern Provinces Measures relating to special economic zones cover more than 300 investment promotion categories, with both tax and non-tax incentives, including an additional tax incentive for target industries such as textiles, agriculture, home furniture, jewelry, and others. These incentives are available to projects located in the border areas of Thailand (i.e., the 10 special economic zones in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Sa Kaeo, Songkhla, Tak, and Trat), with the
Read More
January 5, 2021
On December 23, 2020, the Prime Minister’s Office issued Notification No. 1414/PMO to continue implementing measures to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in Laos from the date of issuance to January 31, 2021. This comes amid a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in neighboring countries, and the transmission of the virus to individuals entering Laos. Specifically, the notification mandates the following: Continued suspension of chartered flights from foreign countries/zones where there is local transmission of COVID-19 among the community. Passengers of flights from countries where there is local transmission of the COVID-19 infection are also prohibited from transiting in Laos. Continued suspension of tourist visas for foreign nationals. Diplomats, employees of international organizations, experts, and investors urgently required to work in various projects must obtain the approval of the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control (NTC); follow the prescribed sanitary measures; and have a COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours more before boarding the aircraft. When arriving in Lao PDR, these foreign nationals must undergo another PCR test and quarantine for 14 days in an approved location. Continued closure of all traditional and local border checkpoints (which differ from international checkpoints) to people and goods, except when exempted by the government.  Spraying to eradicate germs will be administered per state authorities’ recommendations. Continued closure of all international border checkpoints to the public, except for Lao and foreign individuals who need to enter and exit from Laos and have the NTC’s permission to do so. Goods can be transported into and out of Laos as usual. Prohibition of large entertainment events (e.g., concerts). Private and family events must implement preventive measures based on the NTC’s recommendations. Continued publication and dissemination of materials publicizing the preventive measures and urging the population in Laos to observe these measures. Monitoring of
Read More
December 28, 2020
The practice of business operators taking advantage of Lao consumers has always concerned Lao authorities, especially because the application of the country’s consumer protection regulatory framework has been restricted and unfamiliar to the country’s civil society. For example, the main piece of legislation, the Law on Consumer Protection no. 02/NA, dated June 30, 2010, enunciates a series of broad principles that are too general to be implemented effectively. Moreover, Laos has no independent entity to assist the country’s consumers in making informed decisions, namely by advising them on local operators’ malpractices and defective products that may endanger their health. Under Lao law, the powers delegated to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and the Internal Trade Department are limited to administering consumer protection measures, such as controlling the price of products below the government’s price ceiling (e.g., for daily commodities, such as pork and traditional soups) and ensuring that products and services observe the country’s minimum safety standards. In practice, selected ministries have also overseen such measures for products under their respective areas of expertise; for example, the Ministry of Health monitors complaints related to medicinal products and pharmaceuticals. For this reason, the Lao authorities have been leading consultations to fill the legal vacuum and better promote consumer protection measures in the country. From these consultations to revamp and enhance the consumer protection legal framework, in mid-2020 the authorities issued recommendations that provide a legal framework for the establishment of consumer protection associations. This guidance was outlined in the Recommendations Concerning the Establishment and Operation of Consumer Protection Associations no. 0707/MOIC, dated July 30, 2020, which were published in the official gazette of the Ministry of Justice on August 3, 2020. Authority of Consumer Protection Associations The recommendations were issued to elaborate on the scope of consumer protection
Read More