Young people eligible for military service now face severe travel restrictions at the Myanmar-China border in Muse Township, Shan State. Authorities have tightened controls, barring them from crossing into China, leaving many stranded and uncertain about their future.

Since February 12, border police and immigration officers at Muse’s Sinphyu gates have been denying passage to men aged 18-35 and women under 27 are key conscription age groups. Residents report that even those with temporary border crossing permits (red books) are being turned away.

“For those with red books, officials won’t let them through Sinphyu gates anymore,” a young man from Muse told SHAN. “It’s not just Myanmar authorities, and also Chinese police are blocking them too. If it’s urgent, you need a letter of recommendation from the ward administrator.”

Officials have reportedly informed travelers that anyone attempting to cross must prove they haven’t been drafted into the military. This crackdown has severely disrupted the plans of thousands of Myanmar workers who had arranged jobs in China’s Yunnan Province through recruitment agencies.

Many young workers who had already secured employment are now stranded in Muse, unable to continue their journey. Those who managed to enter China earlier with seven-day temporary border passes (TBP) are being forced to return, with over 4,000 repatriated since 2024.

Instead of finding new opportunities, they are sent back home, caught in a tight web of military control and economic despair.

Employment agencies report that travel restrictions began tightening on January 31, particularly for conscription-age men, leading to increased scrutiny at Muse and Tachileik checkpoints. The latest measures have only worsened the situation, further limiting young people’s options as Myanmar’s economic and political crisis deepens.