Muslim residents in Rakhine State have reported that the costs associated with applying for citizenship cards and supporting documentation are steadily increasing due to widespread demands for illegal payments by authorities. These rising expenses are creating severe obstacles for families who already face discrimination and economic hardship.
Participants from the Sittwe local community told the Rohingya Khobor news agency that Rohingya Muslim applicants are often asked to pay amounts far exceeding the official fees when applying for citizenship cards or other national identification documents. Local residents said that officials frequently issue warnings not to disclose these illicit payments, which occur regularly alongside the application process.
According to locals, the unregulated extra payments for a standard citizenship application can amount to around 2,000,000 kyat. Applicants seeking faster processing must provide documentation proving that multiple generations of their family—including grandparents and parents—already hold citizenship cards. This process involves a strict six-step procedure, and the military junta reportedly demands up to 150,000,000 kyat for such applications.
Families registering children also face additional costs. If both parents hold green cards, a family must pay about 200,000 kyat to obtain the supporting documentation needed to include a child’s name in the family registration book. Residents said that those collecting payments have explicitly instructed applicants not to disclose the transactions.
Locals have provided detailed descriptions of the payment system required at various government offices during the registration process. In the office of Lawo Township, for example, registering a green card reportedly requires paying 50,000 kyat each to the deputy officer and the township officer. For pink card registration, applicants must pay 300,000 kyat to the officer group, 100,000 kyat to the deputy officer, and 300,000 kyat to the township officer.
At the general administration office, locals reported that applicants must pay 100,000 kyat—or more—to the senior officer. For green card registration at the state-level government office, families reportedly must pay at least 50,000 kyat for submission of supporting documents. At this stage, the district officer reportedly receives about 1,000,000 kyat for pink card registration.
Additionally, extra payments reportedly involve 500,000 kyat to the state chief officer’s personal assistant and 8,000,000 kyat to U Aung Phyo Hain, the state chief officer.
These exorbitant payments are causing fear and extreme pressure among Muslim applicants, who already face restrictions, delays, and uncertainty regarding the documentation required to secure their citizenship rights. Families have warned that unless these practices are addressed, severe inequity and financial exploitation will persist for the Muslim community throughout Rakhine State.
