Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

Laos · Relocation guide

Moving to Laos: a practical relocation guide

Laos uses a linked chain: approved investment or foreign-labour quota, the correct NI-B2 or LA-B2 visa, work permission where required, a stay permit card and separate multiple-entry permission.

Content updated 12 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are listed below.

Build the entire B2 permission chain

Approved investors use NI-B2; non-investor directors and foreign technical workers use LA-B2 and require labour approval or work permit. The official investment portal separates entry visa, stay permit card and multiple-entry visa.

A tourist e-Visa cannot support local work or an investor stay card.

Build the entire B2 permission chain
PurposeRoute to examineDependency
Approved investorBusiness Investor Visa (NI-B2)Investment registration, NI-B2, stay card and re-entry.
Foreign technical employeeForeign Technical Worker Visa (LA-B2)Labour quota/import approval, LA-B2 and work permit.
Investor familyStay Permit Card for Investors and FamilyFamily stay card follows the approved investor basis.

Collect the stay card and re-entry permission

After entering on the correct B2 visa, use the central or provincial one-stop and foreigner-control channel for the stay permit card.

A stay card and multiple-entry visa are distinct. Do not leave assuming the entry visa alone guarantees return.

Keep employer, quota and role aligned

Technical-worker files require the company foreign-labour quota and import approvals. Non-shareholder directors also need work permission.

Confirm new employer, province or role before changing; approvals can be authority- and location-specific.

Register housing and protect health

Use a lease whose owner will support village, police and stay-card address processes. Record utilities and flood access.

Arrange private and evacuation cover; confirm employer social-security treatment and provider access for dependants.

Complete tax, family, school and banking

The official stay-card list includes enterprise and tax registration for investor cases. Individuals should obtain tax advice and keep foreign-income records.

Confirm family stay cards, school placement and bank KYC separately; a family card should not be assumed to authorise work.

Renew the whole chain

For ordinary directors, technicians and many investors, the official portal describes permits of no more than one year with year-by-year renewal. Start with current company, tax, quota and address evidence.

Check foreign-licence and vehicle requirements and retain exit permission.

Your moving checklist

Tick off the tasks that apply to you. The timing is a planning order, not a substitute for the deadlines on your permission or an official instruction.

0 of 12 tasks completed

Before you move
On arrival
Your first month
Later and before renewal

Sources and checks

The linked authorities set the rules. VisaAtlas explains how the steps fit together; planning suggestions are not a decision on your immigration status, tax residence or entitlement to services.

Plan your next step