Central & Eastern Europe Asia & Middle East Oceania & Africa Most expats in Myanmar work for international schools, NGOs, humanitarian organizations, or multinational companies. The job market for foreigners is limited and specialized. Data verified August 13, 2026 $1,500–$2,500/mo Teaching Salary International schools $2,000–$5,000/mo Varies by organization Min. Wage (local) Employer-sponsored Required for all work 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. 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 From our sister product Planning to start a business in Myanmar ? Use SpotFic to analyze any business location - get foot traffic estimates, competitor maps, demographics, SWOT analysis, financial projections, and a 90-day launch plan. Works anywhere Google Maps has data. Tools expats in Myanmar actually use We may earn a commission if you sign up through these links - at no extra cost to you. Send money abroad at the real exchange rate Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers the mid-market exchange rate with fees 5-8x cheaper than banks. Hold 40+ currencies, get local bank details in 10+ countries, and spend worldwide with the Wise debit card. Used by 16M+ customers globally. Common Questions - Work & Business 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Personal Relocation Assessment Can you actually move to Myanmar ? This page is general. A Personal Relocation Assessment is not: our relocation expert researches your nationality, income and timeline against the law as it stands and names the instrument behind every figure. Find Your Perfect City with AI Describe your lifestyle and our AI matches you to the best expat cities - then simulates a full day there. Expat Insights, Weekly Visa updates, cost-of-living data, and expat stories from Myanmar in your inbox. More Myanmar Guides Visa & Residency Myanmar's visa system is relatively straightforward for short-term vis … Myanmar's healthcare system is significantly underdeveloped compared t … Myanmar is one of Asia's most affordable countries for expats. A comfo … Housing in Myanmar is remarkably affordable compared to regional neigh … Daily life in Myanmar moves at a pace shaped by Buddhist traditions, t … Moving to Myanmar requires more preparation than most Southeast Asian … Myanmar's education system has been severely disrupted by the 2021 cou … Life in Myanmar is defined by Buddhist culture, extraordinary cuisine, … Everything expats need to know about investing in Myanmar - from prope … Ready to explore Myanmar ? Browse our city guides to find the perfect base for your expat life in Myanmar .