YANGON, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have granted 568 foreigners permanent residency status from January 2015 to Aug. 8 this year, according to the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population Saturday.

It was disclosed by the Central Committee for Implementation of Permanent Residency at a coordination meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday.

The meeting agreed to promote 11 former Myanmar nationals holding permanent residency of foreigners into Myanmar citizenship.

The authorities also approved five other foreigners who are related to Myanmar nationals to hold such status.

Myanmar's permanent residency system started in January 2015 during the previous U Thein Sein's government under four categories -- foreign experts, investors, former Myanmar nationals and foreigners who are related to Myanmar nationals.

The system enables eligible foreign applicants to stay in Myanmar for an initial period of five years with a possibility of further extension.

Myanmar has also relaxed some rules and regulations for the permanent residency in accordance with the international standards.

However, according to the existing 1982 Citizenship Law of Myanmar, dual citizenship is not allowed.