MESSAGE TO U.S. CITIZENS: UPDATE #2 ON SUPPLEMENTAL FLIGHT TO THE U.S.
February 23, 2021
THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN RANGOON IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE AMERICAN LIAISON NETWO AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO U.S. CITIZENS IN BURMA.? PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. �Please read this entire message carefully before contacting ACS Rangoon. The answers to most of your questions can be found below.Note: Going forward we will communicate information regarding the flight via email directly to those who have expressed interest, and we will no longer send messages regarding the flight to all registrants of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).The U.S. Embassy is coordinating a supplemental flight for U.S. citizens with valid U.S. passports that will depart on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Those who have not yet expressed interest in the flight must read the message below and contact us no later than close of business, Wednesday, February 24.Updates:���� The tentative flight itinerary is as follows:OperatorDep. Time (Local)Dep. AirportArr. AirportArr. Time (Local)Myanmar Airways International (MAI) 07:00RGNICN15:00Korean Air 2520:20ICNSFO13:55 (Feb. 28)���� Unfortunately, the pet limit has been reached and no more pets can be accepted.���� The baggage policy is as follows: up to two 50 lb. checked bags per passenger (not exceeding 158cm L x W x H), plus one carry-on (not exceeding 15 lb. and 58 x 34 x 23 cm), and one personal item per passenger.���� For travelers with infants, you may check up to two items (stroller, car seat, etc.) per infant at no cost. Each item may not exceed 115cm (L x W x H) (45 inches) and may not exceed 22 lb.���� Passengers traveling with a wheelchair, crutches, or a similar item may carry them on or check them at the gate free of charge.Previously Provided Information:���� The flight will depart from Yangon International Airport at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 28.���� Passengers must arrange their own transportation and lodging to Yangon in advance of the flight and must also arrange their own transportation to the airport on the day of the flight. Those outside of Yangon should plan to arrive in Yangon no later than Thursday evening, February 25.���� The destination will be San Francisco International Airport (SFO). You must arrange your own onward flight from SFO to your final destination.���� The charter flight will transit through Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. Passengers may not transfer to other flights in Seoul nor may they enter South Korea without being subject to quarantine and visa restrictions.���� The flight will not be free, and U.S. citizens who join the flight must reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the flight.? You will sign a promissory note in advance of the flight swearing that you will reimburse the U.S. government. You will not have to pay for the flight upfront.���� We expect the cost of the flight to be approximately $1,560 per adult, $1,200 per child (between 2 and 17 years old), and $205 per lap infant (under 2 years old). These prices are estimates and are subject to change.� You will be informed of the final cost before the date of the flight.���� To comply with CDC COVID-19 testing requirements, the U.S. Embassy will facilitate an antigen-RDT test for you in advance of the flight. You do not need to arrange a test on your own. Testing will likely occur on Friday morning, February 26, and Saturday morning, February 27, in advance of the flight on Sunday, February 28.� More details will be provided soon. You must be in Yangon to take the test.���� Passengers must pay for the COVID-19 antigen test at the time of the test. The estimated per person cost is 50,000 Burmese Kyat, payable in cash only (price subject to change).���� If your Burmese visa is expired and you have accrued overstay fees, you must pay this fine in full at the airport on the day of the flight. Airport Immigration accepts cash (U.S. dollars) only. Please contact ACSRangoon@state.gov immediately if you believe you may owe overstay fees.���� If your U.S. Passport is expired, please contact us immediately at ACSRangoon@state.gov to arrange a passport renewal appointment.*U.S. citizens who have already emailed us with the required information to express interest: no further action is required.� Expect emails in the near future with further details.*U.S. citizens who have expressed interest but no longer wish to join this flight: email us at ACSRangoon@state.gov to notify us so we can make seats on the flight available to others.*U.S. citizens who have not expressed interest but want to join this flight: please email ACSRangoon@state.gov with the following information. Please submit the information for each traveler in your group.� We will use this information to accurately prepare for the supplemental flight. Please contact us expressing your interest no later than close of business, Wednesday, February 24.���� Surname (Last Name) as it appears in your passport���� Given name(s) as it appears in your passport���� Gender as it appears in your passport (Male/Female)���� Date of birth as it appears in your passport (DD-MON-YYYY)���� Passport number���� Passport issuing country (e.g., USA)���� Email address���� Phone number(s) where you can be reached���� Location in Burma���� Final destination in the U.S.���� Are you a U.S. Citizen (Yes/No)?���� Are you traveling with a pet (Yes/No)?���� If you are traveling with a pet, please indicate the breed and size.We anticipate arranging only one supplemental flight from Burma.?Given the lack of other flight options in the near future, U.S. citizens who choose not to join this flight should be prepared to remain in Burma until you are able to secure seats on a relief flight or until commercial flights begin again.There may be limited seats on the flight.?If demand exceeds the number of seats, passengers will be prioritized in the following manner:1.��� U.S. citizens at higher risk from COVID-19, along with their immediate family members.2.��� U.S. citizen minors and their U.S. citizen parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or one foreign national parent/legal guardian or escort.3.��� All other U.S. citizens on a first-come, first-served basis.Upon entry in the United States, passengers on this flight may be subject to U.S. CDC screening, health observation, monitoring requirements and existing Department of Homeland Security entry requirements.?Visit the?Department of Homeland Security�s website?on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.Who is eligible to be included in a supplemental flight??U.S. citizens are eligible.? One parent or guardian escorting a U.S. citizen minor is eligible, provided they have a valid U.S. visa. ?The Embassy will not adjudicate visa applications in support of the supplemental flight. �Others who?may?be eligible: Foreign spouses or children of U.S. citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents.??Listed below are minimum requirements for those categories.? Even if you meet the criteria, we cannot guarantee you will receive a seat. Foreign Spouse: ���� Valid visa for entry to the United States ���� Valid foreign Passport ���� Original evidence of qualifying relationship to U.S. citizen on the flight (e.g., original marriage certificate)? �Child of a U.S. citizen: ���� Original birth certificate clearly indicating the parent�s U.S. citizenship. ���� Valid visa for entry to the United States? �U.S. Legal Permanent Resident (LPR): ���� I-551 U.S. permanent resident card, foreign passport, and evidence of residency in the United States in the past 12 months. ���� If you have not been physically present in the United States in the past 12 months, you do not qualify for repatriation as an LPR. ���� An LPR�s family members who have not obtained I-551 U.S. permanent resident cards are not eligible for evacuation assistance.? �Actions to Take: ���� If you are a U.S. citizen who wants to join the supplemental flight, please email ACSRangoon@state.gov with the above information. Submit information for each traveler in your group. ���� If you do not want to join this flight but wish to depart Burma, please refer to our website for information about airlines and travel agents who can assist you with booking a seat on existing relief flights.���� Consult the?CDC website?for the most up-to-date information. ���� For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the?CDC�s latest recommendations.� ���� Visit the?COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov?for the latest information. ���� Visit our?Embassy webpage on COVID-19?for information on conditions in Burma. ���� Visit the?Department of Homeland Security�s website?on the latest travel restrictions to the United States. ���� Read information for U.S. citizens about a?U.S. government-assisted evacuation. ���� Read?what the Department of State can and can�t do in a crisis.