In February this year the junta announced new conscription laws, making it compulsory for all young women and men to join the military amid an ongoing civil conflict in the country. The move resulted in thousands of young people attempting to leave the country and avoid being forced to fight.

There is a large diaspora of Myanmar citizens working in other countries in Asia and the Middle East, and previously locals had been allowed to leave for jobs abroad. But the restrictions comes as the junta battles increased opposition in the country's ongoing civil war.

It says the ban is temporary, but has not yet offered a reason for the move, which comes amid forced conscription of recruits for the regime’s depleted military.