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Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in Laos due to ongoing security concerns related to banditry, crime, spiked food and drinks, and unexploded munitions.
Laos
Laos invites you to a slower rhythm of life, where mountain villages and river towns unfold along the Mekong.
Overview
With the Lao language at its heart, this landlocked country offers a blend of Buddhist tradition, French colonial echoes, and remarkable ethnic diversity. Vientiane’s riverside calm and Luang Prabang’s heritage streets anchor a landscape of misty mountains and lush river valleys, creating a distinctive contrast for those considering a move.
At a glance
Languages
- Lao(Official)
- French(Widespread)
Population6,858,160
CurrencyLao Kip (LAK)
1 LAK = 0.00004430 USD
1 USD = 22571.18 LAK
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareLimitedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Work (Employer-Sponsored), Tourist / Visa Waiver, Tourist / Visa Waiver, and 1 more.
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Business Visa for Work (LA-B2)
Work/business visa formality for a legal entity importing a foreign employee. The Lao Trade Portal datasheet says the worker must have an employment contract and obtain a single visa, work permit, stay permit, and later a multiple visa.
- 12 months, renewable
- Employer-sponsored only
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Consular Single-Entry Visa
Embassy-issued single-entry visa. The Embassy states all visa types are one-entry and must be used within two months after issue; the length of stay is 30 days and can be extended by Lao immigration.
- 30 days, renewable
- No work rights
- Lao eVisa Tourist Visa (T-B3)
Official Lao eVisa route, currently available only for Tourist Visa (T-B3). The stay permit is 30 days after arrival, while the approval letter is valid for 60 days after receipt.
- 30 days
- No work rights
Investor
- Visa for Investor (NI-B2 or I-B2)
Investor visa formality for foreign investors and their family who intend to invest or collect business information in Lao PDR. The enterprise must be legally incorporated and the investor must be listed as managing director or shareholder.
- 60 months, renewable
- Limited work rights
Languages
- Lao(Official)
- French(Widespread)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Laos.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Xaisomboun Province. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. There are intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups.
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution to Laos due to civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Reconsider travel to: Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest.
Exercise increased caution in:
- Remote areas along the border with Burma due to crime
- Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Saravane) due to unexploded bombs
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