What qualifications do I need to teach at an international school in Myanmar?

Top-tier international schools (ISY, MISY) require a teaching degree, state/national teaching certification, and typically 2+ years of classroom experience. Smaller schools and language centers accept TEFL/CELTA certificates with some teaching experience. A master's degree in education strengthens your application significantly. Native English speakers are strongly preferred.

How do I find NGO/humanitarian jobs in Myanmar?

The primary job boards are ReliefWeb (reliefweb.int), DevNetJobs, UN Careers (careers.un.org), and the career pages of specific organizations (ICRC, MSF, Save the Children). Networking within the humanitarian community is valuable — many positions are filled through internal referrals. Myanmar experience or Southeast Asia experience is a strong advantage.

Can I freelance or start a business in Myanmar as a foreigner?

Technically, foreign-owned businesses must register with DICA (Directorate of Investment and Company Administration) and comply with the Myanmar Companies Law. Many sectors require a Myanmar national partner or are restricted for foreign ownership. In practice, some expats freelance informally on business visas, but this carries legal risk. The post-coup business environment is unpredictable.

Is it safe to work in Myanmar given the political situation?

In Yangon and Mandalay, most expats report feeling safe in their daily lives. International organizations maintain security protocols and evacuation plans. Outside major cities, the situation is significantly more dangerous with active conflict in several states. Employers operating in Myanmar provide security briefings and have duty-of-care obligations. The US government advises against all travel to Myanmar.

What is the typical expat salary in Myanmar?

International school teachers: $1,500–$2,500/month plus housing and insurance. NGO/humanitarian mid-level: $2,000–$5,000/month. Senior international positions: $5,000–$10,000/month. Local-hire positions: $800–$1,500/month. These salaries go very far given Myanmar's low cost of living — many expats save 30–50% of their income.

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🇲🇲 Myanmar

Work & Business

Most expats in Myanmar work for international schools, NGOs, humanitarian organizations, or multinational companies. The job market for foreigners is limited and specialized.

$1,500–$2,500/mo

Teaching Salary

International schools

$2,000–$5,000/mo

NGO Salary

Varies by organization

~$3.60/day

Min. Wage (local)

4,800 MMK/day

Employer-sponsored

Work Permit

Required for all work

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Yangon 🏯Mandalay

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Overview

Most expats in Myanmar work for international schools, NGOs, humanitarian organizations, or multinational companies. The job market for foreigners is limited and specialized. Teaching English at international schools is the most common expat occupation, with salaries of $1,500–$2,500/month — very comfortable given the low cost of living.

Key Takeaways

International schools: largest employer of expats — ISY, MISY, and several others in Yangon; AIS in Mandalay
International School Yangon (ISY): US curriculum, pre-K to Grade 12 — top-tier packages
Major employers: ICRC, MSF (Doctors Without Borders), UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, Save the Children
Internet reliability: the biggest challenge — speeds average 25 Mbps but outages and slowdowns are common

Work Landscape for Expats

Myanmar's expat job market is dominated by the education, NGO/humanitarian, and development sectors. The post-coup situation has reduced the number of international organizations operating in-country, but those that remain are actively recruiting. Freelancing and remote work are growing but operate in a legal grey area without a dedicated visa. The low cost of living means even modest salaries provide a comfortable lifestyle.

International schools: largest employer of expats — ISY, MISY, and several others in Yangon; AIS in Mandalay
NGOs and humanitarian organizations: ICRC, MSF, UNHCR, and various INGOs maintain Myanmar operations
Embassies and international organizations: UN agencies, World Bank, ADB employ foreign nationals
Private sector: limited — some positions in telecoms (Ooredoo), banking, and hospitality
Freelancing/remote work: no legal framework — most digital nomads operate on tourist or business visas
Entrepreneurship: possible but complex — foreign business registration requires a Myanmar partner for many sectors
Language teaching: high demand for native English speakers in private language centers

Teaching in Myanmar

Teaching at international schools is the most well-trodden path for expats in Myanmar. Schools offer competitive packages including salary, housing allowance or provided accommodation, health insurance, and annual flights home. Qualifications required are typically a teaching degree or TEFL/CELTA certificate plus experience. Yangon has the most options; Mandalay has the only K–12 international school in Upper Myanmar (AIS).

International School Yangon (ISY): US curriculum, pre-K to Grade 12 — top-tier packages
Myanmar International School Yangon (MISY): CIS-accredited — strong reputation, competitive salary
Ayeyarwaddy International School (AIS, Mandalay): only K–12 international school in Upper Myanmar
Salary range: $1,500–$2,500/month (varies by qualifications and school)
Typical package includes: housing allowance, health insurance, annual return flights, settling-in allowance
TEFL/language centers: lower pay ($800–$1,500/month) but easier entry — CELTA/TEFL required
Academic year: June–March (varies by school; ISY follows Northern Hemisphere calendar)

NGO & Humanitarian Work

Myanmar remains a significant focus for international humanitarian and development organizations, despite the challenging operating environment since 2021. Positions range from field coordinators and program managers to medical professionals and logistics specialists. Salaries vary widely based on the organization's pay scale and the position's seniority.

Major employers: ICRC, MSF (Doctors Without Borders), UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, Save the Children
Salary range: $2,000–$5,000/month for mid-level positions; senior roles command more
Hardship allowances: many organizations provide additional hardship pay for Myanmar postings
R&R (rest and recuperation): regular paid breaks outside Myanmar are standard in humanitarian contracts
Security: organizations provide security briefings, evacuation plans, and communication equipment
Contract types: typically 1–2 year fixed-term contracts, renewable
Job boards: ReliefWeb, DevNetJobs, UN Careers, NGO-specific career pages

Remote Work & Digital Nomads

Myanmar is not a typical digital nomad destination, but a small number of remote workers base themselves in Yangon for its ultra-low costs and unique cultural experience. The main challenges are unreliable internet, lack of coworking infrastructure, and no legal visa framework for remote work. Those who make it work typically combine a tourist visa with regular border runs to Thailand.

Internet reliability: the biggest challenge — speeds average 25 Mbps but outages and slowdowns are common
Government internet shutdowns: have occurred multiple times since 2021 — VPN is essential
Coworking: limited options — Impact Hub Yangon and The Nest are the main choices
Café working: common — several Western-style cafés in Bahan and Sanchaung have decent WiFi
VPN: essential for accessing blocked sites and ensuring connection security
Backup plans: mobile hotspot (Ooredoo or MPT SIM) as backup for fixed-line outages
Legal status: no digital nomad visa — most remote workers use tourist visas with visa runs to Bangkok

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