Introduction

On 18 February 2025, the State Administration Council (“SAC“) enacted the Private Security Service Law (“Law“) under Section 419 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The Law establishes a regulatory framework for private security service companies and businesses employing private security servants, including licensing and permit requirements, compliance obligations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and penalties for violations. It applies to private security services across various sectors, including offices, factories, hotels, banks, schools, hospitals, transport facilities, public events, and religious sites. Before enacting the Law, Myanmar’s private security sector operated without a unified legal framework.

Regulatory Oversight

The Central Committee, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for policy, licensing, and enforcement. Supervisory Committees at the regional and state levels handle applications, compliance monitoring, and enforcement actions.

Licensing and Permits

The Law establishes two categories of regulatory approval: License and Permit.

License: According to the Law, a license is required for private security service companies for a fee, including private security training courses. The license applicant must be a company registered under the Myanmar Companies Law or eligible for registration under the Myanmar Companies Law if it is a foreign company. The applicant must not be a company known for undermining security and the rules of Law in the Union. Additionally, the applicant must deposit a minimum of 100 million kyats as a business guarantee at the Myanma Economic Bank.

The equivalent amount in foreign currency must be deposited as a fixed deposit for foreign companies. The applicant must also submit the required data and documents to the relevant supervisory committee per Section 9 of the Law. Foreign companies are further required to specify the country where their head office is located and meet the criteria set out in Section 9 to apply for a license.

Permit: The permit is required for businesses appointing more than 10 private security servants for in-house security operations not related to private security services. The applicant must apply for a permit to the relevant supervisory committee as Section 21 of the Law prescribes. The supervisory committee will analyze the permit applications according to the requirements and submit them to the Central Committee with remarks. The Central Committee will then review the reports and may either grant or refuse the permit. Upon approval by the Central Committee and payment of the fixed service fee, the supervisory committee will issue the permit to the applicant.

Responsibilities of License and Permit Holders

License Holders: License holders for private security companies must comply with license conditions, regulations, and directives. They must appoint private security servants meeting the prescribed qualifications, including age, health, criminal clearance, and labour registration. Appointed private security servants must undergo approved training courses.

Additional requirements for foreign nationals include compliance with the Myanmar Ministry of Labor’s standards, a clear criminal record from the relevant country, and confirmation of not being part of foreign armed forces.

License holders must maintain staff records, report staff numbers or office location changes, and immediately notify authorities of staff legal violations. Acquiring security technology or equipment from international organizations requires prior approval.

A foreign license holder must employ at least 75% of Myanmar citizens as private security servants. License holders may offer security services under client agreements but must comply with Central Committee regulations for purchasing and using communication and security equipment. They must also ensure private security servants wear approved uniforms, badges, and rank insignia during duty hours.

The curriculum and other details must be submitted for approval to the Central Committee before opening a training course for private security services. Training instructors must have at least five years of experience, certifications, and sufficient qualifications for relevant subjects. Successful trainees will receive a completion certificate.

When providing security services, the license holder must adhere to regulations for carrying arms and ammunition, subject to Central Committee approval and compliance with the Arms Law.

Permit Holders: Permit holders for businesses employing more than 10 private security servants must appoint private security servants who meet the prescribed qualifications and ensure they undergo approved private security service training. Any increase or reduction in staff numbers must be reported to the relevant supervisory committee. Staff must wear the approved uniform, badge, and rank insignia during duty hours, and the permit must be visibly displayed at the workplace.

The permit holder must systematically maintain each security staff member’s personal data and duty records, prescribe measures for staff breaches of regulations, and report the location and number of deployed staff to the supervisory committee. All regulations set by the Central Committee must be followed.

To continue to appoint more than 10 private security servants, the permit holder must apply for an extension at least three months before the permit expires. If the permit is not renewed, it will be deemed revoked on the expiration date, but re-application is allowed.

Responsibilities of Private Security Servants

Private security servants must perform their duties only within the designated duty areas assigned by the relevant private security service companies, private industry, or branches. During duty hours, they must wear the prescribed uniform, badge, and rank insignia. They must also carry security-related equipment provided by the license holders while performing private security services.

In certain situations, private security servants may carry arms and ammunition provided by the license holders per the Arms Law, arms policy, and existing laws. Following the Code of Criminal Procedure, they are authorized to arrest offenders committing crimes within their duty areas, buildings, or compounds. They must report and hand over the offenders to the nearest police station.

Under the provisions of the Penal Code, private security servants have the right to defend themselves against any person or materials posing harm to them. If they become aware of any information affecting State security or the rule of Law during their duties, they must report it to the nearest police station.

However, private security servants appointed by permit holders are not authorized to carry arms, ammunition, or other security-related equipment as specified in the above clauses.

License and Permit Renewal

Licenses and permits are valid for three years from the date of issuance. To renew, applicants must submit a renewal application at least three months before expiration. Failure to renew within the prescribed timeline will automatically cancel or revoke the license or permit. A duplicate license or permit can be applied for at the relevant supervisory committee in case of loss or damage.

Dispute Resolution

Disputes between a license holder and a service client must first be resolved through negotiation. If the negotiation fails, the dispute shall be settled per the terms of the contract between the parties.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violations of the Law may result in administrative penalties, fines, or imprisonment, including:

Violation	Penalty
Operate without a license	1-3 years imprisonment and fines up to 300 million kyats
Purchase, sell, or possess security-related equipment without Central Committee approval	1-3 years imprisonment and fines up to 300 million kyats
Sell, rent, pawn, or transfer private security service business, training, or license	1-3 years imprisonment and fines up to 300 million kyats
Operate without a permit	Up to 1 year imprisonment and fines up to 50 million kyats
Deploy private security staff or sell, rent, pawn, or transfer the permit	Up to 1 year imprisonment and fines up to 50 million kyats
Provide false information in license applications and engage in false advertising	Up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to 100 million kyats
Set up a private security training service in a dense urban area	Up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to 100 million kyats
Rent or transfer equipment, disclose client information, falsify government materials, impersonate authorities, refuse cooperation with authorities, or misuse prohibited gear by license holders	Up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to 100 million kyats
Neglect reporting, impersonate officials, misuse gear, or disclose client information by private security servants	Up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to 300,000 kyats

The relevant supervisory committee has the authority to revoke licenses and permits, impose fines, and blacklist non-compliant businesses. Appeals against penalties must be submitted within 60 days.

Conclusion

The Private Security Service Law of 2025 sets clear regulatory requirements for license and permit holders, including strict licensing, compliance, and renewal processes with penalties for non-compliance. Notably,  existing service providers operating before the Law’s enactment must review their compliance status and apply for the required license or permit within the six-month transition period to avoid penalties.

The information provided here is for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Legal advice should be obtained from qualified legal counsel for all specific situations.