June 30, 2026 — The Myanmar government has officially formed a special scrutiny committee tasked with reviewing the reinstatement of citizenship for former Myanmar nationals currently residing abroad. These former nationals include refugees and blacklisted individuals.

The establishment of the committee was authorized by the Office of the President through Notification No. 60/2026, issued on May 4, 2026, and was officially signed and mandated by the President.

The newly formed scrutiny committee is chaired by the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Immigration and Population acting as Secretary. The panel also includes Union Ministers from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Legal Affairs, Education, Health, and Immigration and Population as active members.

According to the official mandate, the committee is responsible for scrutinizing applications from former nationals residing overseas in strict accordance with the Myanmar Citizenship Law. A key duty of the committee is to evaluate and determine, on a case-by-case basis, the suitability of endorsing citizenship reinstatement applications from these former nationals, which explicitly include refugees and those previously placed on the state's blacklist.

For applicants unable to present concrete proof of their former citizenship, the committee will base its recommendations on verification data provided by the Ministry of Immigration and Population. Furthermore, the committee will assess the applicants' living conditions abroad and verify their criminal records. This process will incorporate formal remarks and assessments obtained from the respective Myanmar Embassies and Consulates-General.

Once the committee resolves to endorse a former citizen for reinstatement, the recommendation will be formally submitted to the Union Government Cabinet. If the Cabinet officially approves the reinstatement during its assembly, the Ministry of Immigration and Population will be instructed to carry out the subsequent administrative procedures in accordance with existing laws and regulations.