Myanmar Company Formation & Entity Choice

Company formation and annual compliance

Companies are incorporated under the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 and registered online through the DICA MyCo system. The private company limited by shares is the most common vehicle, and foreign ownership is permitted subject to sector restrictions.

• Governing company law — Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• Company registry / regulator — Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA), via the online MyCo registration system (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• Common entity types — Private company limited by shares; public company limited by shares; branch/overseas corporation; sole proprietorship; partnership (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• Foreign company threshold — A company is treated as a foreign company if a foreign person owns more than 35% of its shares % (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• Minimum shareholders/directors — At least one shareholder and one director; a private company limited by shares requires at least one director ordinarily resident in Myanmar (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• Minimum share capital — No statutory minimum share capital under the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (capital set by the company; sector/MIC requirements may apply) ((approx — confirm)) (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• Incorporation timeline — Online registration via MyCo is typically completed within a few business days once documents are in order ((approx — confirm)) (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2018/01/myanmar-companies-law-2017/))
• First annual return — First annual return must be filed with DICA via MyCo within two months of the date of incorporation (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.vdb-loi.com/mm_publications/new-requirements-for-the-first-annual-return-of-a-newly-incorporated-company/))
• Ongoing annual return — Subsequent annual returns due no later than one month after the anniversary of incorporation (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.vdb-loi.com/mm_publications/new-requirements-for-the-first-annual-return-of-a-newly-incorporated-company/))
• Tax registration — New companies must register with the Internal Revenue Department (IRD) and obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) (Income Tax Law (Myanmar) (https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/myanmar))
• Annual financial statements / audit — Companies must prepare annual financial statements; audited accounts are filed with the annual income tax return to the IRD (Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (https://www.lawplusltd.com/2024/04/reports-and-filings-required-for-companies-in-myanmar/))