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 = 0.00004456 USD
1 USD = 22440.97 LAK
Popular places
Laos
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 Life IndexStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
Healthcare IndexLimitedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexLowSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource 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.
Languages
- Lao(Official)
- French(Widespread)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Laos.
Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise a high degree of caution in Laos due to ongoing security concerns related to banditry, crime, spiked food and drinks, and unexploded munitions.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
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
Advisory effective · Verified
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