The Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo has released a statement saying that there are people, who have made online appointments for passport renewals under various names, are misusing these appointments for a fee.
The online appointment system has been implemented since April 1, 2024 to provide convenient, smooth services to Myanmar citizens living in Japan. In doing so, family members or friends of the people, who have made online appointments but are unable to visit the embassy in person due to busy work, are allowed to come and apply for the passport renewal process at the embassy along with relevant proxies, the statement said.
Some people have used this exemption for their own benefit and not applied for the renewal themselves but have used the online appointment system under various names through logging in with various email addresses. It was scrutinized and found that they made advance appointments and were misusing those appointments for a fee. Currently, the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo is systematically verifying and canceling the appointments of those suspected of making advance online appointments for personal gain, the statement said.
However, it is learnt that Myanmar citizens in remote areas who have difficulties in applying to the embassy in person are still allowed to submit their applications by post. If such cancellation includes appointments of citizens who have made their applications in person, they can submit complete information and apply in person to the embassy, and the embassy will conduct the necessary verification and processing.
In addition, only one application per appointment will be accepted for applications that meet the criteria, and except family members, people with no proper reason will not be accepted to apply for the passport renewal for others, the statement said.