As far as we know Myanmar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are notarised in Myanmar, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Indian Embassy in Yangon or a Consulate. Because the political situation affects official services, we confirm the route before you sign. Myanmar is not a reciprocating territory, investment from Myanmar needs government approval because it shares a land border with India, and India and Myanmar have a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Myanmar notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1 hour behind Myanmar all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- Not in force as far as known: consular attestation (check current status)
Indians in Myanmar and families with ties to India
Before the 1960s, Indians were a large part of Yangon's population, and many families left property, deposits and relatives behind when they returned to India. Today, people of Indian origin in Myanmar include long-settled Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Punjabi families, many of them Myanmar citizens, and Indian traders and professionals. Cross-border trade runs through Moreh and Zokhawthar, and families in Manipur and Mizoram have relatives across the border. Since 2022, the Indian government has rescued many Indian nationals trafficked into online scam centres in the Myawaddy area.
We help with powers of attorney, property disputes, succession to family assets in India, buying and selling Indian property, recovering trade dues, and the Indian legal side of cyber fraud and scam centre cases.
Signing documents in Myanmar for use in India
Myanmar is not, as far as we are aware, a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents follow the legalisation route. Official services have been disrupted since 2021, so check the current procedure with us before you sign. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notary public in Myanmar, who is an advocate licensed for notarial work, with your passport or national registration card.
- Have the document attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw or its Yangon office.
- Have it attested by the Embassy of India in Yangon or the Consulate General in Mandalay, then courier it to India and stamp it within three months.
Indian citizens can usually sign directly before the Indian consular officer, which avoids the Myanmar Ministry step. Documents in Burmese need a certified English translation.
Most requested services from Myanmar
These six services cover most of what people in Myanmar and their families need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from Myanmar and what then happens in India.
Power of Attorney
A power attested in Myanmar and by the Indian mission lets a relative act for you in India.
Property Disputes
Encroachment and forged transfers of property left in India by families living in Myanmar.
Succession Certificate
Heirs in Myanmar claim deposits, shares and dues of relatives who died in India.
Buying & Selling Property
Indians and OCI cardholders in Myanmar buy and sell Indian property through an attorney holder.
Money Recovery from India
Border traders and exporters recover unpaid dues from Indian buyers.
Cyber & Investment Fraud
FIRs, complaints and recovery for victims of Myanmar scam centres and their families.
Property and investment rules
Myanmar citizens of Indian origin who hold OCI cards are treated much like NRIs for property in India. Other Myanmar citizens living outside India generally cannot buy immovable property in India, though they can inherit it and lease property. Since April 2020, investment into an Indian company by an entity or beneficial owner from a country sharing a land border with India, including Myanmar, needs prior Government of India approval. Indian citizens working in Myanmar are NRIs and can buy and sell Indian property, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, freely.
The India and Myanmar tax treaty and moving money
India and Myanmar have a double taxation avoidance agreement, signed in 2008. Myanmar tax residents can claim treaty rates on some Indian income with a tax residence certificate and Form 10F. Banking between Myanmar and other countries has been restricted since 2021, so plan how Indian sale proceeds or recovered money will be received; many families keep funds in Indian NRO accounts or route them to a third country.
Myanmar judgments, trade and family matters
Myanmar has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, so a Myanmar judgment can only found a fresh suit in India. Myanmar joined the New York Convention in 2013, so arbitration awards can generally be enforced in India. Marriages registered in Myanmar are recognised in India if valid there. For families whose relatives left India decades ago, proving relationships may need old passports, school records and affidavits, which Indian courts accept as evidence.
All services for clients in Myanmar
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Myanmar
The Embassy in Yangon and the Consulate General in Mandalay provide passport, consular and attestation services for Indian nationals in Myanmar, and help Indians in distress.
- Embassy of India, Yangon
- Consulate General of India, Mandalay
Frequently asked questions
Does Myanmar issue apostilles for documents going to India?
As far as we know Myanmar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian mission.
My grandfather left property in India when he moved to Yangon. Can we claim it?
Possibly. It depends on the records and on whether anyone has been in possession for many years; we trace the title first.
Can a Myanmar citizen of Indian origin buy property in India?
With an OCI card, generally yes. Without OCI, purchase is generally not allowed, but inheritance is.
A relative was trafficked to a scam centre in Myanmar. What can be done in India?
Contact the Indian Embassy immediately, and file a complaint in India against the recruiting agents under the trafficking and emigration laws.
Does a Myanmar company need approval to invest in India?
Yes, because Myanmar shares a land border with India.
Can a Myanmar judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. A fresh suit is needed in India.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Myanmar?
Yes, signed in 2008.
How do we communicate?
By video call, email and WhatsApp, at times that suit Myanmar, which is one hour ahead of India.