Laos business visa (NI-B2)

According to the Department of Immigration, the NI-B2 business visa is for foreign business people, with their family members, who come for investment or economic data collection. The NI-B3 short-term visa covers technical officers attending meetings, training or study tours, and foreigners visiting family or friends, collecting investment information or coordinating commerce. A first exploratory trip therefore usually fits NI-B3, while an investor running a company in Laos needs NI-B2.

The Lao Trade Portal's official datasheet for the investor visa (NI-B2 or I-B2), maintained with the Consular Department, sets two conditions: the investor's enterprise must be legally incorporated under Lao law, and the investor must be listed as managing director or shareholder in the Enterprise Registration Certificate and the articles of association. The visa is refused only if the Ministry of Public Security denies the investor's stay permit.

The company submits a request letter for the investor through the Immigration Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, attaching a passport copy. The investor first receives a single-entry visa, used to apply for the stay permit, and then a multiple-entry visa. The authority told the Trade Portal that each visa is normally reviewed within three working days, so the whole process takes about six working days. The datasheet dates from 2017; confirm current fees with the Consular Department.

The investor visa is generally valid for 12 months and is renewed on the same basis. Concession investors who enjoy privileges under the Law on Investment Promotion can receive a visa valid for up to 60 months. Visitors on a short-term NI-B3 visa who need more time apply for a stay extension at an immigration office: 20,000 kip per day plus a 40,000 kip service fee, at most twice per arrival.